School’s In Session

CHERRY HILL, N.J. — More than two years have elapsed since James Bradberry took his final NFL snap.

The adoration and fanfare that once followed him for nine seasons, the final three of which were spent in Philadelphia, might be all but a distant memory, but Bradberry has discovered new ways to whet his competitive appetite in the early stages of his post-playing career.

For starters, every Wednesday and Friday morning at 5:30, at Lifetime Fitness in nearby Mount Laurel, Bradberry launches into a game of pickup basketball. Given the circumstances, it’s not difficult to envision the game taking on a more spirited tone, though the former Eagles cornerback was sure to note that the assembled group abstains from over-aggressive horseplay.

Delivering a smirk after pausing for a beat, Bradberry then described the sessions as “friendly competitive.”

Bradberry, a native of Alabama, originally intended to move his family to the Atlanta area once school let out for the summer, but a time crunch forced his hand. The school his daughter attends required an update on her status for the upcoming school year, and Bradberry, coming down to the wire, chose stability.

“We decided to stick around for another year and see how it goes,” he said.

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: Former Eagles CB James Bradberry has found a new interest post-retirement, coaching at Camden Catholic HS in New Jersey.

While Bradberry’s stoic, even-keeled demeanor remains a prominent characteristic, it might take a moment to recognize him in a public setting. In the time away from football, Bradberry began lifting more and increasing his protein uptake, bulking up to 215 pounds, roughly a 10-pound boost relative to his playing days.

On Mondays, which Bradberry called his most grueling workout day, he focuses on upper body and also gets in some running on the treadmill. Tuesdays are typically reserved for lower body workouts. The weekends, he said, are devoted to family time.

Workouts filled the void created in the absence of football, but a case of serendipity summoned Bradberry back to a familiar place.

While conversing with Bradberry regarding his future, a workout partner at Lifetime Fitness suggested he try his hand at coaching. He pointed Bradberry in the direction of Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill, where his sons already attended. As a sweetener, Bradberry’s gym buddy cited the school’s culture and upcoming program under head coach John Martino – a pitch that proved to be all the convincing Bradberry would need.

The school announced recently that Bradberry would join the football staff as an assistant.

In his role, Bradberry won’t have to give too many impassioned speeches. Those duties fall under Martino’s job description. But coaching can call for being vocal and verbally assertive, which would require Bradberry to take some coaching while also giving it.

“That was the one thing I was concerned about is because I’m not really much of a talker,” he admitted. “I also don’t yell that much. And I feel like there’s a time and place for that, and there’s a time and place that you need that with a football team. But I think Coach Martino, he does a really good job of motivating the guys.

“I’m actually taking tips on his speeches, when he gives his speeches and stuff, because they’re actually pretty motivating. Of course, sometimes he raises his voice, which you need that, I feel like, in sports in general. I feel like people are trying to take that out of the game, but that’s a whole other conversation.

“But I would say, I just try to, one, teach them all the techniques and fundamentals that was taught to me when I was growing up, but also help them, motivate them so they can use whatever they learn out here on the field also in the real world once they leave the field.”

The day before Camden Catholic’s first game of the season – and Bradberry’s first-ever as a coach – the 2022 All-Pro was spotted giving instruction to some of his players. Camden Catholic was preparing to face Pennsauken, but Bradberry managed to cut away for a moment to discuss his most recent endeavor.

There weren’t any jitters on his end, as the coaches had already laid the foundation for the season prior to his arrival. Bradberry vowed to support the players and staff any way possible and expressed that his only hope entering the season opener was that he’s done everything he can as a coach.

“When I played, it was at times it was hard for me to be in the moment and actually go to sleep sometimes at night because I was so focused on the opponent and how we was going to accomplish the mission,” he said. “One, as a team, collectively, but also individually. And now I feel like my mindset is now, how can I help these guys become better players but also motivate them to try to get the most out of their God-given abilities and reach their full potential?”

Before this interview, Bradberry had been with Camden Catholic for two weeks, but he believes the initial shock factor from players has generally worn off.

He’ll occasionally field some questions about his playing days, but he more so views himself as a mentor representing the dreams and aspirations his players now have. One of Bradberry’s objectives, he said, is to motivate the group to demonstrate that it’s possible to achieve your goals if you put forth the time and work ethic.

Bradberry didn’t have the opportunity to leave the game on his own terms, suffering a season-ending injury in late August of 2024, his final season with the Eagles and in the NFL. He suffered an Achilles injury that he said didn’t require surgery because it “wasn’t fully torn.”

Bradberry played his final NFL snap on Aug. 15, 2024.

“I’ve definitely come to terms with it,” he said. “It is what it is at the end of the day, I feel like. In football, you never know how it’s going to end. And I’m appreciative that I got to be around the league for nine years. I got to play at a high level for eight of those years. So, I don’t know if you ever come to terms with how your career ends, because I don’t think you ever want your career to end when you play football for as long as I did.

“But I would say being out here coaching these young guys, it kind of gives me a sense of satisfaction still being around the game, being able to teach and pass my knowledge onto the next generation.”

Bradberry, 33, did leave the game as a Super Bowl champion, however, serving a crucial ancillary role behind the scenes. While he was sure not to overstep his boundaries, expressing reverence for Eagles cornerbacks coach Roy Anderson and then-defensive backs coach Christian Parker, Bradberry was there to offer support in the background, answer questions, and provide his two cents whenever asked.

Bradberry witnessed the emergence of rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean from the ground level, serving as a mentor of sorts for both players.

Watching from afar, Bradberry beamed with pride when reflecting on both players. While Bradberry was asked to kick inside some early in the 2023 season, his background as a pure outside cornerback relates most to Mitchell, whom Bradberry knew right away possessed every skill a coach could ask for.

“Man, you could tell the talent was already there,” he said. “He was already fast, quick. He checked off all the box as far as measurables and athletic ability. And you can definitely see in his two years. His first two years, you can kind of tell he’s learning quickly about just the overall game of football.”

Bradberry actually ran into Mitchell this spring at The Capital Grille, where he joked with the 2025 All-Pro that if Mitchell just caught the ball, he’d be a Pro Bowler and All Pro for the rest of his career, because he “does everything else right.”

Known for being a team-first player and consummate professional, Bradberry’s intangibles were on full display during the Eagles’ Super Bowl parade.

Mitchell, as many will recall, appeared to be enjoying himself a tad much as he wobbled off the float. Bradberry was by his side, propping him up and ushering him away, ensuring the rookie didn’t experience a viral moment.

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: Eagles CB James Bradberry was injured during the team’s 2024 Super Bowl run but remained a background contributor.

Bradberry chuckled when recalling the moment.

“The parade was fun, but I was having a whole lot of fun myself,” Bradberry admitted. “So, it’s a little hazy. I just wanted to support my brother at the time.”

As it pertains to his future, Bradberry is actively trying to figure that out. He’s trying his hand at coaching to see if he’s a good fit and taking a day-by-day approach.

The only certainty is that even if he looks like he could step in and play safety at the drop of a dime, Bradberry has reconciled that his playing career is over.

“I haven’t officially retired,” he said, “but I don’t plan on putting the cleats on anymore unless I come out here and do something with the high school guys.”

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is the Eagles beat reporter for InsideTheBirds.com.