Last year, though, Reid had no desire to trade the quarterback and instead dealt away Donovan McNabb. But with the Eagles committed to Michael Vick as their starter next season and with Kolb's value perhaps no greater than it is now, Reid intimated that he would consider trade offers for the 26-year-old.
Reid and general manager Howie Roseman could get a better idea of the market come Sunday when they land in New Orleans for the owners meetings.
There are a few obstacles to clear before Reid can even entertain offers from quarterback-desperate teams. For one, there is no collective bargaining agreement between the owners and players, and until there is, player movement won't be allowed.
And then Reid presumably would need for a new CBA to be in place prior to the draft next month. If the Eagles want a draft pick or picks in return for Kolb - and that would be their preference - they're not going to trade the backup after the draft for 2012 picks.
Kolb's stock will also drop the longer the lockout lasts, with teams unwilling to bring in a new quarterback so close to the start of the season.
There is hope for Kolb, who has said he would rather start elsewhere than be the Eagles backup yet again. If the players win their injunction against the league on April 6, then the lockout will be lifted and trades permitted.
Reid did preface his comments with the statement that he was "not in a big hurry to get rid of" Kolb, who has one year left on his contract. Kolb opened last season as the starter but was injured in the opener and eventually lost his spot to Vick. He has only seven career starts to his name but could fetch as much as a first-round draft pick.
The Eagles' willingness to trade Kolb will essentially come down to the offer. If Reid can get a first-round pick in return it would give the Eagles two - they already have the No. 23 selection - and plenty of maneuverability to perhaps move up and grab a top player, such as Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara.
There are approximately a dozen teams in need of a quarterback, and there isn't a slam-dunk prospect in this year's draft class.
There is a strong argument to keep Kolb no matter the offer. Proven backups are hard to come by, and Vick's style of play lends itself to more quarterback hits. Also, Kolb is on the books for only $1.4 million next season. Vick stands to make $16 million after he signed the Eagles' one-year tender on March 2.
source: Philadelphia Inquirer
author: Jeff McLane
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