James Bradberry

Bradberry was born in August 1993 in Pleasant Grove, Alabama to Rosie and James Bradberry Sr..[https://samfordsports.com/sports/football/roster/james-bradberry/4805 "Samford Bulldogs"] Profile. Retrieved December 24, 2024. He was a three-year varsity letterman as a member of Pleasant Grove High's Spartans football team.[https://astateredwolves.com/sports/football/roster/james-bradberry/3252 "Arkansas State Red Wolves"] Profile. Retrieved December 24, 2024. As a member of the Spartans, Bradberry played cornerback and safety positions.[https://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/127238/james-bradberry "ESPN College Sports"] Profile. Retrieved December 23, 2024.[https://www.maxpreps.com/al/pleasant-grove/pleasant-grove-spartans/athletes/james-bradberry/?careerid=idm70us4raq55 "MaxPreps.com"] Recruitment Profile. Retrieved December 24, 2024. At a height of {{Height|ft=6|in=1}} and weighing {{convert|180|lbs|kg|0}}, Bradberry was a two-sport athlete, playing varsity basketball. In 2010, during his senior season in football, Bradberry made nine interceptions and 45 tackles.NFL: News and Features (April 10, 2024).[https://playfootball.nfl.com/discover/news-and-features/philadelphia-eagles-james-bradberrys-high-school-number-retired/ "Philadelphia Eagles James Bradberry's High School Number Retired"]. Retrieved December 24, 2024. He also earned all-metro and first team all-state honors. While part of the Spartans, Bradberry also served as team captain. Bradberry was also part of the National Honor Society. Rated a two-star recruiting prospect,[https://247sports.com/player/james-bradberry-9894/high-school-4464/ "247Sports"] Recruitment Profile. Retrieved December 24, 2024.

Upon graduating from Pleasant Grove in 2010, Bradberry enrolled at Arkansas State University on June 30, 2011. Bradberry was assigned as a defensive back both in his freshman season in 2011 and the 2012 season during which he redshirted.

Bradberry transferred to Samford University where he joined the Bulldogs for the 2012 season. He played as a starting cornerback for all 11 games. His debut season totals included 32 tackles, including 22 solo stops and two interceptions. This performance named Bradberry to the 2012 Southern Conference All-Freshman team. Bradberry returned to start in 12 of the 13 games of the 2013 season in which he totaled 26 tackles, 17 solo stops, two interceptions 10 pass break-ups. In the 2014 season, Bradberry started in all 11 games, finishing the season with 25 tackles and 22 solo stops. He went on to redshirt his senior season in 2015. While at Samford, Bradberry majored in sports administration.

{{NFL predraft

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| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/james-bradberry/32004252-4109-2789-d0bf-75f0393641e8 |title=James Bradberry Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=June 10, 2024}}{{Cite web |title=James Bradberry – CB – Samford – 2016 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=128678&DraftYear=2016 |access-date=April 30, 2016 |website=DraftScout.com}}

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The Carolina Panthers selected Bradberry in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2016 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Inabinett |first=Mark |date=March 4, 2016 |title=Samford's James Bradberry takes inspiration to keep working from those he has inspired |url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2016/03/samfords_james_bradberry_takes.html |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=AL.com}} He was the tenth cornerback selected in 2016. He was the first of three cornerbacks drafted by the Panthers in 2016, in a trio that included third-round pick (77th overall) Daryl Worley and fifth-round pick (141st overall) Zack Sanchez.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Jonathan |date=April 29, 2016 |title=Carolina Panthers second-round pick James Bradberry willing to lend a hand |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article74812062.html |access-date=April 12, 2018 |website=Charlotte Observer}} He became only the seventh player to be drafted from Samford since 1967 and was the fourth out of the last five drafts (2012–2016). Other Samford alumni drafted include Jaquiski Tartt (2015) and Cortland Finnegan (2006).

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On May 10, 2016, the Carolina Panthers signed Bradberry to a four–year, {{USD}}3.96 million rookie contract that included $1.70 million guaranteed and an initial signing bonus of $1.08 million.{{Cite web |date=May 10, 2016 |title=Former Samford cornerback James Bradberry signs NFL rookie deal with Panthers |url=http://abc3340.com/sports/college/former-samford-cornerback-james-bradberry-signs-nfl-rookie-deal-with-panthers |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=ABC33/40}}{{cite web| title=Spotrac.com: James Bradberry contract|url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/19011/james-bradberry |access-date=February 28, 2025| website=Spotrac.com}}

During training camp, Bradberry competed against Robert McClain, Zack Sanchez, Leonard Johnson, and Daryl Worley for a job as a starting cornerback following the release of Josh Norman.{{Cite web |last=Weaver |first=Tim |date=July 25, 2016 |title=Panthers Training Camp Battles: Robert McClain vs. James Bradberry |url=https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2016/07/25/panthers-training-camp-battles-robert-mcclain-vs-james-bradberry/ |access-date=April 12, 2018 |website=Panthers Wire}} Head coach Ron Rivera named Bradberry and veteran Bené Benwikere as the starting cornerbacks to start the regular season.{{Cite web |title=Ourlads.com: Carolina Panthers Depth Chart: 09/01/2016 |url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/187/CAR |access-date=April 12, 2018 |website=Ourlads.com}}

On September 8, 2016, Bradberry made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the Carolina Panthers' season-opener at the Denver Broncos and made six combined tackles (five solo) and a pass deflection in a 21–20 loss. He made his first career tackle on running back C. J. Anderson during the first drive of the game.{{Cite web |title=Carolina Panthers at Denver Broncos – September 8th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201609080den.htm |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On September 18, 2016, Bradberry made two solo tackles, two pass deflections, and made his first career interception off a pass by quarterback Blaine Gabbert to wide receiver Torrey Smith during a 46–27 victory against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2.{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Carolina Panthers – September 18th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201609180car.htm |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On October 2, 2016, he made two solo tackles before exiting the Panthers' 48–33 loss at the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter with an injury. Bené Benwikere and rookie Daryl Worley gave up over 300 receiving yards to Julio Jones in Bradberry's absence.{{Cite web |title=Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – October 2nd, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201610020atl.htm |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On October 7, 2016, the Carolina Panthers released starting cornerback Benwikere in response to the secondary's embarrassing performance, subsequently making Bradberry the No. 1 starting cornerback alongside fellow rookie Daryl Worley.{{Cite web |date=November 15, 2016 |title=Panthers cut cornerback after giving up 300 yards to Julio Jones |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/panthers-cut-cornerback-after-giving-up-300-yards-to-julio-jones |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=FOX Sports |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Dubin |first=Jared |date=October 7, 2016 |title=Starting corner Bené Benwikere cut after Panthers give up 300 yards to Julio Jones |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/starting-corner-bene-benwikere-cut-after-panthers-give-up-300-yards-to-julio-jones/ |access-date=April 18, 2017 |website=CBSSports.com}}{{Cite web |last=Orr |first=Conor |date=October 7, 2016 |title=Struggling Bené Benwikere released by Carolina Panthers |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/struggling-bene-benwikere-waived-by-panthers-0ap3000000716960 |access-date=October 7, 2016 |website=NFL.com}} He was inactive for the next three games (Weeks 5–8) due to a severe case of turf toe he sustained during the loss to the Falcons.{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Jourdan |date=October 27, 2016 |title=James Bradberry a gameday decision, but Panthers CBs may have suffered another setback |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/nfl-blog/article110855297.html |access-date=April 12, 2018 |website=Charlotte Observer}} In Week 13, Bradberry collected a season-high eight combined tackles (seven solo) and broke up a pass during a 40–7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.{{Cite web |title=Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks – December 4th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201612040sea.htm |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On January 1, 2017, Bradberry made six solo tackles, a season-high two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Jameis Winston to Adam Humphries during a 17–16 loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.{{Cite web |title=Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – January 1st, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201701010tam.htm |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He finished his rookie season with 59 combined tackles (47 solo), ten pass deflections, and two interceptions in 13 games and 13 starts.{{Cite web |title=James Bradberry 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradJa00/gamelog/2016/ |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He graded out as the top ranked rookie cornerback and the Panthers' top defensive back by PFF.{{Cite web |last=Rizzuti |first=Anthony |date=February 8, 2017 |title=James Bradberry PFF's top-ranked rookie CB |url=http://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2017/02/08/james-bradberry-pffs-top-ranked-rookie-cb/ |access-date=April 18, 2017 |website=Panthers Wire}}{{Cite web |last=Claasen |first=Matt |date=January 10, 2017 |title=Ranking all 32 NFL secondaries this season |url=https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-ranking-all-32-nfl-secondaries-this-season/ |access-date=April 18, 2017 |website=ProFootballFocus.com}}

During the off-season, head coach Ron Riveira promoted secondaries coach Steve Wills to defensive coordinator after Sean McDermott accepted the head coaching position with the Buffalo Bills. On June 5, 2017, Bradberry suffered a fractured wrist during organized team activities and was ruled out for a least a month.{{Cite web |last=Henson |first=Max |date=June 5, 2017 |title=James Bradberry fractures wrist |url=http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/James-Bradberry-fractures-wrist/b6b531b0-90a9-48a0-8615-ce68e8c8b89b |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609030831/http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/James-Bradberry-fractures-wrist/b6b531b0-90a9-48a0-8615-ce68e8c8b89b |archive-date=June 9, 2017 |access-date=June 6, 2017 |website=Panthers.com}} Head coach Ron Rivera named Bradberry and Worley the starting cornerbacks and Captain Munnerlyn as the starting nickelback.{{Cite web |title=Ourlads.com: Carolina Panthers Depth Chart: 09/05/2017 |url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/200/CAR |access-date=April 12, 2018 |website=Ourlads.com}}

On October 12, 2017, Bradberry recorded six combined tackles (four solo), broke up a pass, and made his first career sacks on quarterback Carson Wentz during a 28–23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Eagles at Carolina Panthers – October 12th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201710120car.htm |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Week 14, he made six combined tackles (five solo), a season-high three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Case Keenum in the Panthers' 31–24 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers – December 10th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201712100car.htm |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The following week, Bradberry recorded a season-high seven combined tackles, a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Aaron Rodgers during a 31–24 victory against the Green Bay Packers.{{Cite web |title=Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers – December 17th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201712170car.htm |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He finished the {{NFL Year|2017}} season with 85 combined tackles (66 solo), ten pass deflections, two interceptions, and a sack in 16 games and 16 starts.{{Cite web |title=James Bradberry 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradJa00/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

The Carolina Panthers finished the 2017 NFL season second in the National Football Conference (NFC) South with an 11–5 record and received a Wild Card berth.{{Cite web |title=2017 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2017/index.htm |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On January 7, 2018, Bradberry started in his first career playoff game and recorded eight combined tackles (seven solo) as the Panthers lost 31–26 at the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Wild Card Round.{{Cite web |title=Wild Card – Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – January 7th, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201801070nor.htm |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

On January 23, 2018, Panthers' head coach Ron Rivera promoted defensive line coach Eric Washington to defensive coordinator after Steve Wilks departed to accept the head coaching position with the Arizona Cardinals. He became the third defensive coordinator Bradberry played under in as many seasons.{{cite web|url=http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Eric-Washington-promoted-to-defensive-coordinator/d82966f3-1d83-47ef-996c-c2bb20e39f8c|title=Eric Washington promoted to defensive coordinator|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=February 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224112137/http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Eric-Washington-promoted-to-defensive-coordinator/d82966f3-1d83-47ef-996c-c2bb20e39f8c|url-status=dead}}

During training camp, Bradberry competed for the role as a starting cornerback against Donte Jackson, Captain Munnerlyn, Ross Cockrell, Corn Elder, and Kevon Seymour.{{cite web|title=Panthers 2018 training camp position battle: Cornerback| url=https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2018/07/26/panthers-2018-training-camp-position-battle-cornerback/80379789007/| access-date=March 4, 2025| website=pantherswire.usatoday.com| author=Tim Weaver| date=July 26, 2018}} He was named the No. 1 starting cornerback to begin the regular season and was paired with rookie Donte Jackson.

On October 7, 2018, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles (seven solo) and broke up two passes as the Panthers defeated the New York Giants 33–31. In Week 12, Bradberry made three combined tackles (two solo), broke up a pass, and made the first sack of his career on quarterback Russell Wilson for a nine-yard loss during a 30–27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.{{cite web| title=Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers - November 25th, 2018| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201811250car.htm| access-date=March 4, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} On December 17, 2018, Bradberry recorded three combined tackles (two solo), made a pass deflection, and had his only interception of the season on a pass attempt thrown by Drew Brees to tight end Dan Arnold during a 9–12 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The following week, he had one tackle and a season-high four pass deflections during a 10–24 loss against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16. He started all 16 games during the 2018 NFL season and finished with a total of 70 combined tackles (57 solo), a sack, an interception, and a team-leading 15 pass deflections.{{Cite web |title=James Bradberry 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradJa00/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2018 Carolina Panthers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/car/2018.htm |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

He entered training camp slated as the No. 1 starting cornerback. Head coach Ron Rivera retained Bradberry and Donte Jackson as the starting cornerbacks for the second consecutive season.{{cite web| title=Breaking down the Panthers 53-man roster, 2019 edition | url=https://www.panthers.com/news/breaking-down-the-panthers-53-man-roster-2019-edition | access-date=March 4, 2025| website=Panthers.com|date=September 1, 2019| author=Max Hensen }}

File:James Bradberry.jpg in 2019.]]

On September 8, 2019, Bradberry started in the Carolina Panthers' home-opener against the Los Angeles Rams and made four combined tackles (two solo), one sack, and also intercepted a pass by Jared Goff to wide receiver Robert Woods during a 27–30 loss.{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2019 |title=Goff, Gurley lead Rams to 30–27 win over Panthers |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127923 |access-date=September 8, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}} On October 13, 2019, Bradberry had one of the best performances of his career as he collected a season-high 11 solo tackles, a season-high four pass deflections, and made a career-high two interceptions off passes thrown by Jameis Winston during a 37–26 win at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6.{{Cite web |date=October 13, 2019 |title=McCaffrey scores 2 TDs to lead Panthers past Bucs 37–26 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401128096 |access-date=October 13, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}} He was inactive for the Panthers' 16-24 loss at the Green Bay Packers in Week 9 due to an injury to his groin. His injury ended a streak of 49 consecutive starts in-a-row. On December 3, 2019, the Panthers fired head coach Ron Rivera after they fell to a 5–7 record. Defensive line coach Perry Fewell was appointed to interim head coach for the last four games of the season. He finished the 2019 NFL season with a total of 65 combined tackles (51 solo), 12 passes defended, three interceptions, and a sack in 15 games and 15 starts.{{Cite web |title=James Bradberry 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradJa00/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

On March 16, 2020, the New York Giants signed Bradberry to a three–year, $43.50 million contract that includes $31.98 million guaranteed and $29.80 million guaranteed upon signing.{{Cite web |last=Bergman |first=Jeremy |date=March 16, 2020 |title=Giants agree with James Bradberry on $45 million deal |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/giants-agree-with-james-bradberry-on-45-million-deal-0ap3000001106509 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |website=NFL.com}} He entered training camp projected to be the No. 1 starting cornerback after Deandre Baker was placed on the commissioner's exempt list following an arrest. Head coach Joe Judge named Bradberry the No. 1 starting cornerback to begin the season and paired him with Corey Ballentine.{{cite web| title=Giants release first unofficial depth chart of 2020 |url=https://www.giants.com/news/depth-chart-roster-daniel-jones-week-1-pittsburgh-steelers-monday-night-football |access-date=December 23, 2024 |website=Giants.com}}

In Week 2, Bradberry made three solo tackles, a season-high four pass deflections, and had his first interception with the Giants on a pass thrown by Mitchell Trubisky to wide receiver Allen Robinson during a 17–13 loss at the Chicago Bears.{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2020 |title=Trubisky 2 TD passes, Barkley hurt as Bears edge Giants |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401220281 |access-date=September 20, 2020 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}} In Week 14, he collected a season-high seven solo tackles and made one pass deflection during a 7–26 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. On December 17, 2020, the Panthers placed him on the reserve/COVID-19 list.{{Cite web |date=December 17, 2020 |title=CB James Bradberry placed on Reserve/COVID-19 list; will not play vs. Browns |url=https://www.giants.com/news/cb-james-bradberry-placed-on-reserve-covid-19-list-will-not-play-vs-browns |access-date=February 3, 2021 |website=Giants.com}} On December 21, 2020, he was cleared to be activated from the COVID-19/reserve list and was added to the active roster after missing a Week 15 loss to the Cleveland Browns.{{Cite web |date=December 21, 2020 |title=Giants' James Bradberry: Returns from COVID-19 list |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/giants-james-bradberry-returns-from-covid-19-list/ |access-date=February 3, 2021 |website=CBSSports.com}} He finished the 2020 NFL season with 54 combined tackles (44 solo), 18 passes defended, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 15 games and 15 starts.{{Cite web |title=James Bradberry 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradJa00/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He earned his first Pro Bowl and was invited to play in the 2021 Pro Bowl.{{Cite web |title=2020 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2020/probowl.htm |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was ranked 74th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021.{{Cite web |title=2021 NFL Top 100 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/2021-nfl-top-100.htm |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

During the offseason Bradberry restructured his contract in order to give the team some cap room.{{Cite magazine |last=Traina |first=Patricia |date=October 2, 2021 |title=Giants Restructure James Bradberry's Contract {{!}} Report |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/giants/news/giants-restructure-james-bradberrys-contract-report |access-date=October 2, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en}} He began training camp as the de facto starting cornerback under defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. Head coach Joe Judge named Bradberry the No. 1 starting cornerback to begin the season and paired him with Adoree' Jackson.

On September 16, 2021, Bradberry collected a season-high seven combined tackles (six solo), made one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass thrown by Taylor Heinicke to wide receiver Terry McLaurin during a 29–30 loss at the Washington Football Team.{{Cite web |last=Kerr |first=Jeff |date=September 17, 2021 |title=Giants' James Bradberry felt game was over after INT, on offense going conservative: 'I can't control it' |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/giants-james-bradberry-felt-game-was-over-after-int-on-offense-going-conservative-i-cant-control-it/ |access-date=October 2, 2021 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} On October 2, 2021, it was reported that Bradberry once again agreed to restructure his contract in order to increase cap room for the Giants. On January 2, 2022, Bradberry had one tackle, a season-high two pass deflections, and set a career-high with his fourth interception of the season off a pass thrown by Andy Dalton to wide receiver Allen Robinson during a 3–29 loss at the Chicago Bears. He started in all 17 games and finished the 2021 NFL season with 47 combined tackles (37 solo), 17 passes defended, a career-high four interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.{{Cite web |title=James Bradberry 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradJa00/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

New York Giants' General manager David Gettleman retired after the 2021 NFL season. Gettleman was responsible for the Carolina Panthers drafting Bradberry when he was their General manager and was also responsible for signing him as an unrestricted free agent as the General manager of the New York Giants. On May 9, 2022, the New York Giants released Bradberry after they were unable to find a trade partner.{{Cite web |last=Molski |first=Max |date=May 9, 2022 |title=Giants release veteran cornerback James Bradberry |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/commanders/report-giants-release-veteran-cornerback-james-bradberry |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=RSN |language=en}}

File:James Bradberry 2022.jpg

On May 18, 2022, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Bradberry to a fully guaranteed one–year, $7.25 million contract that includes an initial signing bonus of $6.21 million.{{Cite web |last=Spadaro, Dave |date=May 18, 2022 |title=James Bradberry is an Eagle! The Eagles land the Pro Bowl cornerback |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-james-bradberry-1-year-deal-pro-bowl-cb |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}} He was signed as a replacement for Steven Nelson after he departed during free agency. Head coach Nick Sirianni named him the No. 2 starting cornerback to begin the season, alongside No. 1 cornerback Darius Slay.{{cite web| title=Eagles depth chart 2022: Nakobe Dean makes case for first team after strong preseason debut | url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/eagles-depth-chart-2022-nakobe-dean-makes-case-for-first-team-after-strong-preseason-debut/ | access-date=March 4, 2025| website=cbssports.com |date=August 16, 2022 | author=Jeff Kerr }}

On September 11, 2022, Bradberry made his debut with the Philadelphia Eagles in their season-opener at the Detroit Lions and made two combined tackles (one solo), one pass deflection, and returned an interception thrown by Jared Goff to tight end T. J. Hockenson 27–yards for the first touchdown of his career during a 38–35 victory.{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Eagles at Detroit Lions – September 11th, 2022 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202209110det.htm |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Week 3, he collected a season-high five combined tackles (four solo) and made one pass deflection during the Eagles 24–8 victory at the Washington Commanders. In Week 6, Bradberry recorded three solo tackles and set a season-high with four pass deflections as the Eagles defeated the Dallas Cowboys 26–17. He started in all 17 games and finished with 44 combined tackles, 17 passes defended, three interceptions, and one touchdown.{{Cite web |title=James Bradberry 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradJa00/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

The Philadelphia Eagles finished the 2022 NFL season a top the NFC East with a 14–3 record to clinch a first-round bye. On January 21, 2023, Bradberry had two solo tackles, two pass deflections, and had an interception off a pass thrown by Daniel Jones to wide receiver Darius Slayton as the Eagles routed the New York Giants 38–7 in the Divisional Round. The following week, the Eagles defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31–7 during the NFC Championship Game and advanced to the Super Bowl.

On February 12, 2023, Bradberry started in Super Bowl LVII and recorded five combined tackles (four solo) during a 38–35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Just after the two-minute warning near the end of the game, Bradberry was called for a controversial holding penalty on JuJu Smith-Schuster as the Chiefs were on the Eagles' 15-yard line.{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Paul |date=February 12, 2023 |title=Eagles' James Bradberry called for controversial penalty at end of Super Bowl 2023 |url=https://nypost.com/2023/02/12/eagles-james-bradberry-called-for-controversial-penalty-at-end-of-super-bowl-2023/ |access-date=March 6, 2023 |website=New York Post}} The penalty proved costly as it gave Kansas City a new set of downs and allowed them to run the clock down to 11 seconds before Harrison Butker successfully made the game-winning field goal.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LVII – Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 12th, 2023 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202302120phi.htm |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} After the game, Bradberry admitted that the holding call was correct saying, "It was a holding. I tugged his jersey. I was hoping they would let it slide."{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=February 12, 2023 |title=Eagles CB James Bradberry on crucial third-down penalty: 'It was holding' |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/eagles-cb-james-bradberry-on-crucial-third-down-penalty-it-was-holding |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Charean |author-link=Charean Williams |date=2023-02-12 |title=James Bradberry: I tugged his jersey, but I was hoping they would let it slide |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/james-bradberry-i-tugged-his-jersey-but-i-was-hoping-they-would-let-it-slide |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}

On March 15, 2023, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Bradberry to a three–year, $38.00 million contract extension with $20.00 million guaranteed and an initial signing bonus of $6.98 million.{{Cite web |last=Spadaro |first=Dave |date=March 15, 2023 |title=James Bradberry returns to the Eagles on a 3-year deal |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/james-bradberry-returns-to-the-eagles-on-a-3-year-deal |access-date=March 15, 2023 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}} In the 2023 season, Bradberry made 16 starts. He had 54 total tackles (39 solo), one interception, 13 passes defended, and one forced fumble.{{Cite web |title=James Bradberry 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradJa00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=February 24, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Bradberry suffered a leg injury in practice before the 2024 season and was placed on injured reserve on August 29, 2024.{{Cite web |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=August 29, 2024 |title=Roster Moves: Eagles promote Oren Burks, place James Bradberry on Injured Reserve |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/roster-moves-eagles-promote-oren-burks-place-james-bradberry-on-injured-reserve |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=Philadelphia Eagles}} Bradberry later revealed after the season ended that the injury he suffered was a torn Achilles and Soleus muscle.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Charean |author-link=Charean Williams |date=February 13, 2025 |title=James Bradberry tore his Achillies, Soleus but expects to be ready for OTAs |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/james-bradberry-tore-his-achilles-soleus-but-expects-to-be-ready-for-otas |access-date=14 February 2025 |website=NBC Sports Pro Football Talk |publisher=NBC Universal}} However, Bradberry would become a Super Bowl champion after the Eagles defeated the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, 40–22, avenging their loss two years prior.{{cite web | last=Maaddi | first=Rob | title=Eagles deny the Chiefs a Super Bowl three-peat with dominant defense in a 40-22 rout | website=AP News | date=2025-02-10 | url=https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2025-eagles-chiefs-score-e2ff209c074a00a6faff39750ff048f8 | access-date=2025-02-17}}

On March 12, 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles released Bradberry with a post-June 1 designation.{{Cite web|date=March 12, 2025|title=Eagles release James Bradberry|url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-release-james-bradberry|accessdate=March 13, 2025|work=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}}

On April 5, 2024, Bradberry's Spartan jersey number 10 was retired in a ceremony held at Pleasant Grove High.

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{{footballstats|pfr=B/BradJa00|nfl=james-bradberry|espn=2572841}}

• [http://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4805 Samford Bulldogs bio]

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{{Super Bowl LIX}}

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Category:1993 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football cornerbacks

Category:Carolina Panthers players

Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players

Category:New York Giants players

Category:People from Pleasant Grove, Alabama

Category:Players of American football from Jefferson County, Alabama

Category:Philadelphia Eagles players

Category:Samford Bulldogs football players

Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen

Category:21st-century American sportsmen