Donovan McNabb May Want 'Upgrades' Before Signing Eagles' Extension

The Philadelphia Eagles put together a great run to end the season, eventually making it to the NFC Championship game (again) with Donovan McNabb at quarterback. His week 12 benching seemed all but forgotten, until McNabb reminded the media that things were still kind of awkward.

Then word sprung up that McNabb and the Eagles were getting close to a new deal. But before that could happen, McNabb, according to Michael Smith at ESPN, decided to step away from negotiations, in order that he might find out what the Eagles' offseason would include before signing an extension.

Independent of the meeting, the source said that McNabb may hold off on further extension talks until he sees how that [sic] Eagles improve themselves in the offseason via free agency and/or trades.

Although McNabb wants to remain in Philadelphia, if the Eagles aren't successful in significantly upgrading an offense that needs help at wide receiver, running back and offensive tackle ..., not only may McNabb drop his request for a new contract he may consider going as far as to ask the Eagles to trade him.

I think McNabb asking for a trade is probably overstating things a bit much. But then again, we're only two seasons removed from Philly drafting Kevin Kolb without giving McNabb a heads up; one would imagine if they decide to travel down that path again this year, he'll probably ask out.

And while it might be easy to chastise McNabb in this case, his move makes sense. By holding off on an extension, he can not only leverage a possible deal into the team making a run at T.J. Houshmandzadeh or Marvin Harrison (or both!) but he could, in theory, help to keep Philly's salary cap lower based on their offseason moves.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-23-2009 @ 9:01PM

eliagraphics said...

Sorry Philly, but McNabb is right. We boo him when he does bad, me included, but the grass isn't greener on the other side. Lets face the facts, and we all now what they are. One, With a top notch reciever, they did however go to the superbowl, yes with TO. Yes he's a cancer, but he is still a great player, when he doesn't drop the ball cause of getting hit. Also, without a top reciever, they only make it to the nfc championship game. So could you amagin TJ houshma!!!!!!!!! & Jackson on the field together, and Kevin Kurtis in the slot, wow, i think we have a winning combo here. Also, trade sheppard & Reggie Brown, and PLEASE Use Hank Baskett more. His height should be used like one Plexico Burress in the endzone, but for some reason, Reed Just doesn't do it. The only way i think No Housh!!!!!11, is if there's a chance at Boldin. But lets get serious, thats not going to happen, just like the chances of getting Calvin Johnson from Detroit.

2-23-2009 @ 9:23PM

billy said...

I see Philly getting Houshmandzadeh or Harrison (not both). McNabb's done more without a big WR than most QB's other than Brady.

At eliagraphics, you sound like you have a room temperature IQ just like every other Philly fan. You probably don't get that joke, which just further proves my point.

2-23-2009 @ 9:41PM

bippyearl said...

you idiots, you still have to throw the ball to the receivers, in that championship game, it didnt matter who was the wide receivers, captain stretch of the fantastic four couldnt catch his pass, way out of reach, who cares philly wont do anything with him at qb, how many times are you going to give him a chance before you do the right thing and get rid of him.

2-23-2009 @ 10:41PM

yungyung said...

Are you stupid the pass wasn't out of reach, Kevin Curtis ran a comeback route, caught the ball in his hands, and dropped it. Even though he got fouled if you ask me, if they had a bigger stronger receiver like Houshmanzadeh, that pass interference probably wouldn't have mattered.

2-23-2009 @ 10:24PM

KingMundo said...

hes been the main part of them going to 4 nfc championships and loseing 3 of them and then loseing the superbowl, T O, didnt flip out for no reason when they lost he just dosent have it to win when it counts

2-24-2009 @ 10:22AM

Hello Ken, said...

look at it this way, mcnabb is 32 10 years with the eagles and andy reid. he is a future hall of fame quarterback. he has done more for the Philadelphia eagles then any other one player. that being said he has no superbowl ring and every quarterbacks dream is to have that. he has a few good years in him and i believe he thinks this is his year, and i don't fault him for that. after 10 years of pretty much successful season after season of course he wants the big game and this is his opportunity to get it GO PHILLY!!!! GO DNABB!!!!

2-24-2009 @ 11:56AM

LOVEYOUVICTORIA said...

eagles suck

2-25-2009 @ 10:02AM

fireflower007 said...

I am one of those Philly fans... so I guess that means I also have a room temp. IQ? Think not!
Unlike most Eagles fans, I fully support D Nabb. Numbers do not lie and #5 has aways had the numbers. Staying in Philly without a fully charged offense, which has been the case for the last 9 years, would be suicidal to Donovans career. He isn't getting any younger. The Eagles Org. needs to use some of the cash that keeps them way under the cap each year and get "Who's ur mama!!!"... Championship!!!
Jackson did well for his first season... but it WAS his first season. He in NO WAY compares to guys like Moss, TO, Larry, Boldin, TJ, Plax, Wayne, Williams, Colston, Ward, and others. Donovan has wasted enough time in Philly while the Eagles stay cheap and I feel that's why we have yet to win a SuperBowl. I am a die hard Birds fan. I am a huge McNabb fan... yeah I yell at him through the tv when he messes up... I think his signature play is an interception... and I have Monday mornings when I don't even want to hear the guys name. But everyone has off days, and no one person is perfect. No one person carries a team all the way... not even Brady? So why do we expect D Nabb to do it season after season? Bottom line, I wouldn't want him playing for anyone else, especially a team with excellent wide outs. Spend the money & get the guys we need. Lurie is a business man, it takes money to make money... If Donovan leaves Philly, as a fan I will be taking a year off... I'm only 27 and each & every year the heart break is to much...
GET IT DONE PHILTH-A-DELPHIA!!!

2-26-2009 @ 7:08AM

skoolbeans said...

Unless you have streched hands, And live on dirt,
Go with other QB. Philadelphia needs linemen, And running backs. Running backs win games at end. , Control clock. Westbrook has been used way too much, And needs help now that he's getting older. We have more recievers then needed. Time for them to step up or off.
So in word for Eagles is , Draft where needed, Skip recievers and move on. BTW, Mcnabb is all for himself. Throwing defence under bus for last game is not a team player. Defence kept Eagles in many of games, Also won more then our famious QB. Number 1 pick(rb) number2(offensive linemen) number 3 (ol) trade mcnabb and any reciever we don't need for number 1. trade to New England and get Tom Brady. Guess what, After last year, Pickings are right.

2-26-2009 @ 2:34PM

McNabb HATERS... Move Along...
Before D Nabb, the Eagles had Ty Detmer @ QB.... U think its time for change and to cut #5 loose... UR F-EN CRAZY!!!
Even though none of us wanted him... he came for a reason... & just look @ what he's accomplished!
DONOVAN IS THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO PHILLY SINCE CREAM CHEESE... & EVEN IF HE NEVER WINS US A CHAMPIONSHIP, I'LL ALWAYS HAVE HIS BACK!!!
PHILLY FAN BY BIRTH... MCNABB FAN BY CHOICE!!!!

2-27-2009 @ 7:35PM

eagledon805 said...

I just got outta philadelphiaeagles.com and said that the Rams will trade Reggie Brown and 2 picks for Torry Holt. Or am I readin' this wrong? Anyway Holt can still bring it,though.