As the rumors and the speculation continue regarding the question of whether quarterback Donovan McNabb will return to the Eagles in 2010 or whether he’ll be traded as soon as Friday, a source with knowledge of the situation tells us that the Eagles have heard from multiple teams about McNabb, but that the Eagles have not permitted any of them to make an offer. Yet.
Per the source, the latest team to be linked to McNabb -- the Rams -- have not contacted the Eagles. Yet.
But it’s expected that aggressive efforts will be made, notwithstanding McNabb’s contractual status or his age. With Brett Favre and Kurt Warner achieving high levels of success in their late 30s and beyond, McNabb could still have many productive years left.
And though he has not yet won a championship, McNabb indeed has been productive. Under McNabb, the Eagles have advanced to the postseason eight times in 10 years, and they have played in the NFC title game five times in nine seasons.
So why would the Eagles not simply hang up the phone whenever someone calls? Because every player has a price. And with a Montana-Young dilemma gradually coming into focus, given the presence of Kevin Kolb on the depth chart, the Eagles at some point need to choose between the two.
Our guess is that the Eagles would be willing to choose Kolb now, if someone gives them enough of a reason to wish McNabb on his way.
Then there’s the issue of McNabb’s contract. Though an extension negotiated simultaneously with a trade would be preferred, it could be that a team takes him “as is,” with the opportunity to work out a new deal (like the Chiefs did with Matt Cassel) and the availability of the year-to-year franchise tag, assuming that this device for restricting the movement of unrestricted free agents survives the next labor deal.
Regardless of what happens, it’s clear to us that the Eagles won’t be giving McNabb away, and that they’re trying to coax someone into a Herschel Walker-type of an offer.