2017 NFL Draft will take place in Philadelphia, says congressman

Signs continue to point to Philadelphia being chosen as the host city for the 2017 NFL Draft. Earlier this offseason, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Philadelphia was a "leading candidate" to host the big event. Now U.S. representative Bob Brady says Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney told him the city has agreed to host the draft. Via Wendy Ruderman of Philly.com:

Although the city did not confirm that a deal had been made, Brady, a Democrat from Philadelphia, said that Mayor Kenney called him Thursday to tell him that the city had agreed to host the draft and to commit $5 million to pull off the three-day event.

Brady said the mayor expressed concern about the financial commitment at first but changed his mind after he was convinced that the city could raise the money and not put the burden on taxpayers.

Brady said the Building Trades Union would put in more than $1 million toward building a temporary stage and arena on the Ben Franklin Parkway with seating for about 3,000 spectators.

Nothing has been officially confirmed yet, however. Spokespeople for both the NFL and Kenney denied that Philadelphia has been awarded the draft.

The NFL Draft has been hosted at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago over the past two years. Prior to that, the event took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York for 49 years in a row.

The Eagles don't own a first round pick in next year's draft due to the Carson Wentz trade. It would be a little weird to see the host city's team not even make a pick on the biggest night of the three-day event.