Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Donovan McNabb begrudgingly said that he expects to receive a new contract from the team when his current one expires before the 2009 NFL Season.
“Everybody wants a new deal,” McNabb said Wednesday. “But, that’s not why we’re playing this game. We’re playing this game to win, and things happen. I’ve been answering this question the last couple of years, so I guess to eliminate that part of it, hopefully [a new contract] will happen, but we’ll see.”
No matter, McNabb’s future is uncertain. Kevin Kolb, drafted in the second round in 2007 to be McNabb’s eventual successor, hasn’t done much in limited playing time to prove he’s capable of being a top-notch QB. McNabb isn’t due to become a free agent anytime soon, so the Eagles would have to trade or release him.
If management decides to rebuild after missing the playoffs for the third time in four years, the 32-year-old McNabb could go. If the decision-makers feel the team needs only to retool its roster to make a Super Bowl run, McNabb probably will stay because he’s their best option.
“I’m still under contract. I guess it would be solidified by, so I don’t have to answer this question, getting a new deal,” McNabb said. “I don’t truly focus on that. I expect to be here, and I will play this game like it’s not my last. You just go out and try to put everything on the field and give all your guys that confidence knowing that you’re going to sell out for them.”
Not that Kolb is ready at this point to take over the offense, but I doubt McNabb returns next year in Philly. The Eagles are a long-shot to make the playoffs and the organization might be ready to head in another direction.
Personally, I hope McNabb gets the hell out of Dodge. I think he has taken way too much criticism throughout his career and he might be better served playing out his career some place else. But we’ll see how this story develops throughout the offseason.
