What to Pay Donovan McNabb?

There's a report the Eagles want quarterback Donovan McNabb to retire in Philadelphia.

The question is: What do you pay McNabb?

"I'm not going to get into that," coach Andy Reid said Thursday afternoon. "I stay away from those contract things. We'll just see how things go down the road here. I think everyone knows that we are very honored to have Donovan here, a lot of our players are, and I think the city feels that way, and surely the organization feels that way."

Well, Thursday night we found out. The Eagles, according to ESPN, have restructured the last two seasons of McNabb's contract.

"We are thrilled that this all worked out," Eagles president Joe Banner said in a statement. "He is a great football player, a great person, and someone who gives back to the community. We are lucky to have him in Philadelphia."

McNabb was scheduled to earn a base salary of $9.2 million this year and $10 million in 2010.

The ESPN report says McNabb would get $24.5 million the next two seasons, which is sightly more than what he would have received in his previous contract.

McNabb, entering his 11th season, has been to one Super Bowl, five NFC championship games and won five division titles. He's considered one of the best at his position and will turn 33 in November. He's still young enough to lead this talented team to another playoff berth.

This new money McNabb is expected to receive will keep him in Philly until he's 34, a good age, but you wonder if he wants a longer deal.

McNabb's contract talks remind us of the upcoming discussions involving Eli Manning of the Giants and the Chargers' Philip Rivers -- both players' contracts expire at the end of this season. Manning, who has won a Super Bowl, could break the bank and enter the $100-million club.

Rivers is a solid quarterback who's team is nearing elite status in the AFC. He, like Manning, could reach a deal over $100 million.

Traditionally in the NFL, you sign the franchise quarterback to a long-term deal, then deal with everybody else.

The agents for Manning and Rivers will probably look at what McNabb receives on an averge and ask for more. One agent who knows McNabb said on Thursday afternoon he believes the Eagles will tear up the remaining two years of his contract, giving him a big-money deal. Remember, McNabb originally signed a 12-year, $115 million-deal in 2002 (incentive clauses in that contact allowed McNabb to void the final three years, hence its 2010 end date).

Recent Notable Quarterback Contracts Player, Team Length of Deal Financial Terms Marc Bulger, St. Louis 6 years $65 million Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh 8 years $102 million Tony Romo, Dallas 6 years $67.5 million JaMarcus Russell, Oakland 6 years $61 million Matt Schaub, Houston 6 years $48 million

What gives McNabb some power to get more money is backup quarterback Kevin Kolb. The Eagles like Kolb's ability, but not enough to push him into the starting lineup.

This new deal for McNabb can also allow the Eagles to give Kolb more time to develop. Maybe Kolb is the Eagles starter in 2011 should McNabb retire or extend his career with another team.

But the Eagles would be wise to allow McNabb to retire in Philly.

With McNabb bouncing back from injuries in recent years and playing well -- he finished fifth in completions and seventh in yards among NFL quarterbacks last season -- he has proven he can still play a little bit.

But McNabb has battled with fans, media and teammates in Philadelphia from time to time, which led to concern about his desire to stay with the Eagles beyond next season. He broached the subject of his contract during the playoffs last year, and didn't appear happy about it.

The quarterback hasn't spoken with reporters this offseason, yet Reid said McNabb couldn't be happier with things.

The fact that the Eagles are talking about extending him appears to prove Reid's point.

"He seems happy, if that matters" Reid said. "He seems to be in a great place right now, but I can't say I haven't seen that before."

McNabb and Reid will talk about the new deal on Friday morning. So, for now, the Eagles future at quarterback starts and ends with McNabb.