Rams' Sam Bradford not guaranteed starting job in 2015

Sam Bradford will face stiff competition for the St. Louis Rams' starting quarterback job next season.

Speaking at his season-ending news conference Tuesday, Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said competition will ideally include someone not yet on the roster - be it a high draft pick or a free agency signing.

"There's going to be competition at the quarterback position, there's no doubt," Fisher said, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "With somebody that's not in the building right now. We're hopeful for that.

"What that looks like, I can't tell you right now - from a draft standpoint or from free agency. But he'll be competing. We have some work to do obviously, from a contractual standpoint, but I'm confident we’ll sort some things out."

Bradford, who had his 2014 campaign cut short by a torn ACL, is due $13 million in base salary next season. While the former No. 1 overall pick has produced some solid numbers, his health remains a big question mark.

The Rams have engaged in preliminary talks with Bradford’s agent, Tom Condon, but have yet to reach an agreement on a restructured contract. Both Fisher and Bradford declined to go into detail about the discussions or what they mean for the quarterback's future.

"Obviously, there's a lot of things that can happen," Bradford said. "I'm not really involved in that process. That's why I've got an agent. Until things continue, I really can't say that much on that."

But if Bradford had his choice, he would prefer to stay in St. Louis.

"This is the first place I've ever been away from home. I feel like I've really grown up here. I love this city. The people have been great.

"I can't tell you how much support I've gotten, whether it's going out to the gas station and seeing people. Or going out to eat and meeting different fans. The people have been really encouraging and supportive."