Wrap your head around this one: ESPN's Michael Smith reports the Eagles and McNabb held their meeting last week, but Donovan wants to wait and see what the front office does to improve before committing to the team. Say what? (Audio after the jump)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback quarterback Donovan McNabb and the Eagles brass held a lengthy meeting last week, a source has told ESPN's Michael Smith. And one key point that came out of the meeting, according to the source, is that McNabb is going to wait to agree to a contract extension until he sees how the Eagles improve themselves in the offseason.
Those contract talks may not resume any time soon. McNabb would
like the Eagles to add to their already solid core pieces that would
make them an even stronger championship contender before engaging in
serious negotiations on an extension. McNabb, 32, is under contract for
two more seasons.
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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 (veterans Jon Runyan
and Tra Thomas are free agents beginning Friday), 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.
If all of this is true, the only thing I can say is wow. It's wild to think that all this time the question was whether or not the Eagles were with McNabb for the long haul, but actually it's Donovan who isn't sure he can win here under their current operating procedures.
Or maybe this is just using his bargaining power over the team to not only ensure the best possible deal by threatening his departure, but also push the front office to acquire one or several of the high profile players available in free agency, by trade, and in the draft.
I really don't know. What an unexpected twist in what seemed like a fairly routine contract negotiation.
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Update: Mike Missanelli had Michael Smith on his show to discuss the details from the story.