Philadelphia Eagles: Why Kevin Kolb's Contract Demands Won't Scare Away Suitors

Over the past several days, Kevin Kolb's agents have been reportedly spreading word that Kolb expects a significant multi-year contract extension with any team that trades for him.

That bit of news, originally reported by ESPN Twin Cities Radio on Thursday, has led some to ask whether teams' interest in the quarterback might decline.

The answer is a hearty "no," for several reasons.

One is that any team willing to deal a first-round pick for Kolb must already have the expectation of signing him to a multi-year contract.

First-round picks are valuable; no team would deal one for a player it viewed as a one-year rental, or a player it was afraid might leave in free agency after a year. A team's willingness to deal a first-round pick implies that it already believes Kolb is a long-term solution at quarterback.

Speculation also abounds that the dollar number Kolb's agents have been bandying around is high enough to scare teams away.

No agent worth his office, though, can reasonably expect Kolb to earn a deal along the lines of what Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees or Tom Brady would get.

In all likelihood, Kolb's agents are looking for something along the lines of the contract Matt Cassel signed with the Chiefs.

After trading for Cassel in 2009, Kansas City signed the unproven signal-caller to a six-year, $63 million contract, including $28 million in guaranteed money.

At the time, analysts blasted the Chiefs for making such a huge investment in a player that hadn't started in college and had played only one season in the pros. They attributed Cassel's success to playing in Bill Belichick's system in New England.

Two years in, it appears the Chiefs' investment is paying off. Cassel tossed 27 touchdowns last year in leading Kansas City to the AFC West title.

Like Cassel at the time, Kolb has limited NFL experience. He has started only seven games in his career.

However, unlike Cassel, he was a starter in college and was drafted in the second round, while Cassel was a seventh-round pick.

Also unlike Cassel, teams have already expressed a willingness to deal a first-round pick for Kolb. When Cassel was dealt in 2009, the Pats received only a second-round pick for him and also had to surrender veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel.

Between Kolb's pedigree, teams' expressed interest in him and Cassel's success with the Chiefs, Kolb's value will remain high.

It's unlikely that recent news about his contract demands will seriously affect whether teams are willing to deal for him.