Kolb gets one-year extension
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Kolb gets one-year extension
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Kevin Kolb and the Eagles have agreed to a one-year contract extension through the 2011 season, the team announced today.
In the span of three and a half week, Kolb has been named the Eagles starting quarterback, welcomed into the world his second daughter and received a contract extension.
"It's been a good month," Kolb said. "Named the starting quarterback, contract extension and, of course, the baby. It's been a whirlwind."
Kolb is set to earn a guaranteed $12.26 million over two years, most of it in the form of a signing bonus, according to his agent, Jeff Nalley.
"I think if the current [collective bargaining agreement] rules weren't in place, I think the goal would have been to do a long-term deal on both sides," Nalley said "But the rules are what they are."
The CBA's 30-percent rule doesn't allow for players playing in their rookie deals to get a raise in their next contract of more than 30 percent of their base salary. Kolb's base salary this season was $550,000, but is now a guaranteed $715,000.
“We’re happy to have Kevin under contract for the next two seasons,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said in a statement. “When given the chance, Kevin has proven to have good command of this offense and we’re looking forward to having him operate as the number one quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.”
Kolb was named the Eagles starter on Easter Sunday, April 4, the day the team traded Donovan McNabb to the Redskins. According to Nalley, both sides didn't start negotiating a new deal until over a week later. The back-and-forth went on for a while until yesterday, when Nalley decided it would be in his best interest to fly from Houston to Philadelphia to negotiate with the Eagles in person.
“We’re excited about what we’ve seen from Kevin during his three seasons in Philadelphia both on and off the field," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. "We’re happy to get this contract in place for the near future and are looking forward to keeping Kevin in Philadelphia for many more years to come.”
Said Eagles president Joe Banner, “I’d like to thank Kevin and his agent Jeff Nalley for their work in getting this contract signed. We’re very happy with Kevin and all the attributes he brings to this organization and we’re pleased to sign another young, ascending player to a contract. It’s something that this organization has prioritized over the last several years.”
Kolb's extension comes the day before the start of minicamp. A second-round draft choice in 2007, Kolb was McNabb's backup for three seasons. Kolb filled in for two games last season when McNabb was injured in the season opener. In those two games, a loss to the Saints and a win over the Chiefs, Kolb became the first quarterback in NFL history to pass for 300 yards in his first two NFL starts.
He threw for 391 yards vs. New Orleans and 327 yards a week later vs. Kansas City and was named NFC Offensive player of the week honors for his performance in that game.
Kolb isn't the only Eagles player that was due a bump in pay. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson, a Pro Bowler last season, will earn $480,000 in base salary this year. He has said that he wants a new deal, but also that he's willing to wait. It'll be interesting to see if the Eagles have Jackson next on their list.
Actually makes sense to see if Kolb can run this team over a full season. FO thinks he can, but if he can't, no sense giving him a long term contract before he even starts more than two games in a row.— Z-Force
Phillies09: how can you be so sure. Tis folly to say you know these things.— gho_matt
CBA or not a one year deal says a lot about the Eagles.- what are you guys talking about? This has nothing to do with confidence in Kolb. The Eagles would have loved to extend his contract more but the 30% rule made it impossible. Unless you want to give him a 60 million dollar signing bonus, this is the only move here— jayw66
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2 yr deal is perfect. kolb needs to prove himself 1st. i have us at 9-7 this year- kolb's 1 yr deal actually works 4 both sides involved...if he proves himself worhty his value will go up and this yr as he learns the position he doesnt have to worry about his contract...and if he proves to be a stiff the FO can cut him loose after next yr...— the tru 1
- 12 MILLION?!?! The guy has thrown 2 passes so far! AGAINST THE CHIEFS!!! I could throw for 300 and 3 TDs vs the CHIEFS!!!— ArtieLange
The $$$ these athletes make is obscene. They don't know how good they have it...— dogman5
Kolb is no step back from McNabb. Kolb is a better and more Accuarate Passer but McNabb has the ability to throw deep balls. I would take Accuracy any day over a deep ball and you are going to get interceptions with a young quaterback but that does not mean he will be a turnover machine. Look what Kolb and DeSean Jackson did last year and you add Jeremy Maclin, Brent Celek, and LeSean McCoy to that mix and this is a very dangerous offense to stop. The Defense will be in the top 5 this year because they are going to sack the quaterback and force alot of turnovers. The Eagles will compeat with the Divison Title once again with the cowboys and be in the playoffs.— briandawkins20- Time will tell. I for one was sick and tired of the same BS from Mcnabb. It was definately time o give someone else a go.— Bushdiver
- Fools of Philly..He got a 1 year extension because of the uncertainty of the 2011 nfl season. That is a fact. Glad to see fans that actually know something about football. Maybe you guys should stick to something easy to understand. golfing is pretty easy. I am ashamed to say im from Philly to see how negative "fans" are...— crohnkiller
$12 million seems like a lot for someone who's started two football games and got intercepted a lot by the Saints and beat one of the worst defenses in the league (Chiefs). DeSean better get at least that much.— Leegles
uh you guys dont know what you are talking about here...its complicated stuff but due to the CBA if he signed a long-term deal now he would only be able to get a 30% increase, so if he signs a 1 year extension, andwaits out out the CBA, then he can sign a regular long term deal worth millions. He couldnt get much in a long term deal as it is now so they threw him 10+ million. Hes goign from 1.3 to 12.26 million just like that. As soon as the CBA gets reworked (right at the end of his contract after a possible lockout) he will be able to sign a huge long term deal like usual. He might be here a very long time, and I think he probably should be.- The FO is not giving us confidence, didnt they sign Celek to multi year deal past next year? this makes me mad, now what?— jameslaka
