Do the Eagles really want to ship Donovan McNabb out of Philly?

I am struggling with this one, because I see McNabb as the only quarterback on the Eagles roster who can win a championship for this team.

I’m sure Kevin Kolb will be a good quarterback when his chance does come around to be the unquestioned player under center in Philly. But now? This offseason?

It is easy to point at Kolb’s brief production this past season, and although it was very good (he threw for 300 yards in back-to-back games), is that enough to let McNabb walk?

Because once you give the huddle to Kolb, there is no turning back, and buyer’s remorse at the quarterback position in the NFL is a franchise killer. Look, I am not trying to throw Kolb under the bus, but from the quarterbacks I saw during my career, it takes more than a couple of games to show a franchise that you are ready to play for an entire season and beyond.

McNabb has done that for a decade in Philly.

Looking around the Internet, the rumors on McNabb are everywhere — heading to San Fran, replacing Brett Favre in Minnesota, etc. But, why do you dump a quarterback that has proven to win games, proven to play hurt and proven to be a winner and an overall leader in the locker room?

We all know that the backup quarterback is the most popular player on any NFL roster. Fans clamor for his name and there is always hope that he can come in and take over a huddle and lead a team to the playoffs. And, with Kolb, there is added fuel to bring him in due to the brief productive moments he had this past season.

But, let’s be honest here: McNabb not only wins, he also makes the Eagles a contender every season. How many franchises would want that? Ask Dan Snyder in Washington. How would the ‘Skins like to go into training camp knowing that they will challenge for a playoff spot every season because of the quarterback position?

The NFP’s Joe Fortenbaugh wrote about McNabb and the Eagles fans’ love/hate relationship a while back, and the bottom line is that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

Sure, Kolb may develop into a very good starting quarterback in Philadelphia someday, but that can wait — because McNabb is and will be the best option for the Eagles when they open the 2010 season. And for that reason alone, you hold onto your franchise quarterback, because this is the business of winning — not of chance.

Let McNabb walk? Get real Philadelphia.

Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41