McNabb, Eagles talk future

Independent of the meeting, the source said that McNabb may hold off on further extension talks until he see how that Eagles improve themselves in the offseason via free agency and/or trades.

According to a source, McNabb and agent Fletcher Smith quietly met with Eagles coach Andy Reid and Eagles president Joe Banner for several hours last Tuesday at the team's complex in Philadelphia, before Reid and Banner traveled to the league's Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

The source said the sides cleared the air once and for all on Reid's Week 12 benching of McNabb in Baltimore. They also held preliminary, informal discussions about a contract extension, the source said. The source said the parties had preferred to keep the meeting confidential as they work through various issues beyond the benching.

Those contract talks may not resume any time soon. McNabb would like the Eagles to add to their already solid core pieces that would make them an even stronger championship contender before engaging in serious negotiations on an extension. McNabb, 32, is under contract for two more seasons.

Although McNabb wants to remain in Philadelphia, if the Eagles aren't successful in significantly upgrading an offense that needs help at wide receiver, running back and offensive tackle (veterans Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas are free agents beginning Friday), not only may McNabb drop his request for a new contract he may consider going as far as to ask the Eagles to trade him.