PHILADELPHIA -- Will they, or won't they?

That will be the critical question facing the Eagles this offseason when it comes to the quarterback position.

Sam Bradford, of course, is due to be a free agent this offseason after passing for 3,405 yards, 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions through 13 games this season.

Wide receiver Jordan Matthews has made no secret about his desire for the Eagles to bring back Bradford.

"I'm very adamant about that," Matthews said following Tuesday's practice at the NovaCare Complex. "Having a quarterback that you can build with, that you can grow with, is huge.

"I've only had it one time in my career ... high school, college and pros. It was coming out of my second year of college, going into my junior year. We started it and during the summer going into junior year, we'd get together and work out. That was my best season in college because I had that relationship already built."

Matthews eclipsed his rookie production this season, catching 78 passes for 943 yards and six touchdowns. Bradford is the third quarterback he's played with in two seasons with the Eagles. How does he let Bradford know he wants him back?

"I tell him that just by the way I go out and practice," Matthews said. "I let him know, 'Bro, I want you to be my guy.' You see the type of player he is ... I think he had the completion record in a game and that's without guys like me executing the way we should have, as receivers.

"His stats could be even crazier than the 37 completions. The way he's talking, saying, 'Guys, ya'll go out and do this, we'll tear these guys apart.' When you hear your quarterback talk like that, that gets you up. You can tell he's in his realm. He's in his zone. You want the team to build that. You want to continue to have that.

"If you look at all of the great wide receivers who have put up great numbers, it's always with quarterbacks that they've been with for awhile. They've had a guy they've been able to grow with. I think Odell Beckham's been throwing with Eli Manning since he was in the sixth grade.

"You've got to build that rapport and that friendship. I'm building it with Sam. I just want to keep that going. I don't make that decision, but I'm adamant about wanting him back here next year."

While Bradford's statistics might not be overwhelming, it is impossible not to view his season through the scope of how impactful the many dropped passes and the inability for receivers to get open down the field hampered this offense.

Bradford will likely be the top quarterback available through free agency or the draft, so the Eagles might need to overpay for the consistency that Matthews wants.

Matt Lombardo may be reached at MDLombardo@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardo975. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook