Is the Philadelphia Eagles' Commitment to Winning or Donovan McNabb?

Ever since the Philadelphia Eagles' season ended with an opening round playoff loss to the Dallas Cowboys, all signs pointed to Donovan McNabb remaining as their quarterback.

Throughout the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl, McNabb has said the right things: He wants to stay in Philadelphia and is frustrated, just like the fans, that the Eagles have not won a Super Bowl under his watch.

And the Super Bowl itself: Saints quarterback Drew Brees helped the New Orleans Saints to their first ever trip to the Super Bowl and its first victory, 31-17 over the favored Indianapolis Colts.

For his efforts, Brees was named the game's MVP.

Look at what the Eagles have done this postseason. Primarily, they brought in Dick Jauron to be a coach in Sean McDermott's defense. Man, if that isn't a wolf in sheep clothing, I don't know what is.

So, that being said, the Eagles will concentrate on shoring up the defense as means to to to the Super Bowl.

If that were the case, McNabb, for one more season, would be acceptable and still give the Eagles an opportunity to match the Saints' season.

However, do you want to commit to McNabb for another three years?

As much as what Eagles's Head Coach Andy Reid has said about McNabb being his starter in 2010, listen to what Eagles brass Joe Banner said recently in the Inquirer 's John Gonzalez's story on Feb. 2:

"Here's the reality on that," Banner said. "It sounds evasive, but it isn't. . . . We really have not had the meeting to start figuring this stuff out. Obviously we have to do that. . . . Obviously we have to make a decision on what we're going to do. But at this moment, I can tell you that we haven't even laid out a plan or sat down and even exchanged our different ideas or thoughts on that."

Huh?

I am telling you, the Eagles do not want to commit to McNabb for another three years.

Why do they have to?

After the 2008 season, after McNabb was benched in the Baltimore game, he wanted a "financial apology," something he might deny, but sure rang true at the time.

Instead of giving McNabb a new contract and committing long-term, they gave him a two-year deal worth a reported $24.5 million with another $1 million in incentives.

The first year was this past season and the second year is this coming season in 2010.

Now, is a top quarterback in the league going to play out the last year of his contract with no future deal on the horizon?

The Eagles have a habit of rewarding young players on the rise with new contracts midseason. They did it this year with Brent Celek and Winston Justice.

That doesn't sound like McNabb.

Will they rip up his contract at the start of training camp, after McNabb threatens to hold out like Brian Westbrook hinted a few years ago before he got a new deal?

Nope. That's not McNabb either.

This is Donovan McNabb's team.

As much as the Eagles are Andy Reid's team, they are McNabb's.

Now, Donovan may suck it up and play out the last year of his deal.

Whether you think what No. 5 says or does is weird, he at least has always held his head high.

And he should. He is the record holder of most of the Eagles's quarterbacking records.

Either the Eagles commit to McNabb for another three years (maybe the last being a club option year), let him play without an impending contract, or trade or release him.

I can't see the first two options happening, so the only thing left is to trade him.

McNabb has said all the right things, and I have always liked him.

I can see a one-year commitment to McNabb, but not a three-year commitment. A three-year commitment, is that about giving the Eagles the best chance to win after the 2010 season?

And why should a quarterback of his calibre play winning football on the last year of his contract?

Wait and see. The Eagles may surprise us.

If McNabb agrees to play on the last year of his contract, and be like Sheldon Brown and not talk about the deal once the season starts, then I am OK with that.

The time is now.

Let me ask you: Wasn't it refreshing this year to see the Eagles win with Kevin Kolb at quarterback, Brent Celek at tight end, DeSean Jackson and Jason Avant as the wide receivers, and LeSean McCoy as the tailback?

Will we see more of the same next year...a renewed commitment to the future?