Possible Donovan McNabb Trade; Rumors, Speculation, Little Truth Known...

All of the recent speculation on a Donovan McNabb trade came from one interview Andy Reid recently gave at a coaches breakfast in Orlando, FL.  During the interview a few questions were asked about the Philadelphia Eagles QB situation going into the 2010 season.

When Andy Reid was asked if he could say Donovan won’t be traded, he replied “Donovan is our starter, our starting quarterback.”

Now here we are, on trade watch.  

What this means to me is that Coach Reid has received an  offer for Donovan that he can’t ignore. Something that he feels is leaning towards being in the Philadelphia Eagles best interest.  

Now I think the plan has been to trade McNabb this off-season all along.  Kolb is Reid’s guy, that doesn’t mean McNabb is not Reid’s guy too.  Like with any close, team oriented, singular focus, relationships can and will be complicated.

On one hand, he has his young QB, nipping at the heels, gaining support from the team and I am sure in his eye’s, really coming into his own as a NFL caliber QB.  

On the other hand he has his proven veteran, carrying his offense to five NFC championships and one Super Bowl.  

McNabb has been the face of the Andy Reid era, which may be better known for it’s nationally televised failures than it’s nearly unmatched statistical success.   That is where the problem lies.

Something needs to change.  When Kolb was brought in, I truly feel it was a hedge against another season ending injury for McNabb.  A project for Reid, his interest in Kevin Kolb has only intensified since drafting him with the Eagles first pick (2nd round, 36 overall) in 2007.  

The natural result for any project is to put it to test by fire.  Throw it out there and see if your theories hold water.

With all the success McNabb and Andy Reid have had together, the relationship has not been able to achieve it’s ultimate goal.  They are not in this game to have high winning percentages or nice career statistics, they are here to win a Super Bowl.

 At some point they will have to go in different directions.  Here’s the catch…

That doesn’t have to be this year.  If the Eagles do not receive an offer that is heavily weighted in their favor they will pull the plug on the whole thing, sign McNabb to an extension and trade him next year.  

Like I said, McNabb is Reid’s guy too.

Dan Bandekow is a writer on Bleacher Report covering the Philadelphia Eagles. He is also the Lead Columnist for www.thephillyeagles.com covering Daily Eagles News.