Is Donovan McNabb on His Way Out of Philadelphia?

Truth be told, the writing is on the wall for Donovan McNabb.

Sure, he helped get the Philadelphia Eagles back to the playoffs, yet again, but yet again , the season ended without a Super Bowl, and inevitably, in disappointment.

While it's impossible to put all (or even most) of the blame on McNabb, rumors have been swirling all around Philadelphia lately, and for McNabb, they're not good.

A Philadelphia radio station has reported that young Eagles players have been seeking out advice from back-up Kevin Kolb, and not starter Donovan McNabb. This has apparently been going on for much of the regular season, and led up into the postseason.

But this isn't the beginning.

Ever since Kolb delivered two remarkable back-to-back performances while subbing in for an injured McNabb, he's garnered the respect of his teammates as a confident signal caller and a strong leader.

McNabb, on the other hand, has others' confidence in him wavering.

Again, this is all speculation off of reports from no-named talk show hosts and aspiring NFL experts, but with everything that has happened, a divorce between McNabb and the Eagles would only make sense.

While Michael Vick has been open about finding a new home (because he knows Philly isn't a permanent gig), perhaps McNabb should begin his own search.

Actually, it's sounding more and more like Philly will be glad to do it for him.

McNabb is entering the final year of his contract with Philadelphia, one in which he is due $6.2 million in an offseason roster bonus on May 5.

Considering how well Kolb has fared and how well he has grasped the offense, it's fairly likely the Eagles will already start taking offers, and will try to move McNabb before or during this April's NFL Draft.

And for all you Eagles fans that just can't believe the hype, take a good, hard look at the plan at hand before you scream "mutiny!" at the top of your lungs:

McNabb is 33, due a ton of money, and simply isn't getting it done. It's arguable that anyone with a decent amount of ability and a grasp of Philly's offense could take a roster full of explosive weapons to the playoffs.

Like, say, Kevin Kolb?

If the Eagles firmly believe he can (and they do), then the next step is unloading their dead weight (McNabb and Vick), by getting what they can to build for an even brighter future.

Vick can probably be had for a fifth rounder, although Philly will likely entertain offers until the bitter end, in hopes they can drag a fourth rounder out of a desperate team (we're thinking Rams ).

McNabb, on the other hand, could be worth a first day selection (or two), or even a pick and a quality player. McNabb is still in his prime and is still playing elite football, for the most part, and there are plenty of teams that are a good quarterback away from making a serious run.

On that same note, there are several teams with young, talented rosters that could use a savvy, veteran quarterback to pull them together and push for a playoff spot.

Wherever McNabb winds up, we're undoubtedly going to be hearing about this deep into the summer, and probably again next season, unless McNabb signs a long-term contract right away with his next team.

But the point is, if you can get some picks for a guy that simply isn't in your plans anymore, then why not?

After all, it's what Green Bay did, and look at where they are now? They hit a rough patch in their first season with Aaron Rodgers as the starter, but were back in the playoffs the following year.

Both Brett Favre and Rodgers are now enjoying their role with their current teams, and a similar future isn't unrealistic for both Kevin Kolb and Donovan McNabb.

However, unlike the Packers situation following the 2007 season, McNabb hasn't even breathed a word of retirement. And unlike the 2007 Packers team, who were on the rise and made it to the NFC Championship game, McNabb's Eagles aren't coming off of a season that is necessarily deemed as successful.

Either way you look at it, McNabb's days as Philly's golden boy are long gone. And it's just a matter of time before it's official.

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