December 15, 2008; Philadelphia, PA USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb (5) is congratulated from head coach Andy Reid after McNabb threw touchdown pass in fourth quarter of the 30-10 win over the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports Eric Hartline-US PRESSWIRE
Former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was posed with an interesting question during an appearance on Fox News Digital. He was asked whether the Eagles firing Andy Reid or the Giants letting Saquon Barkley go in free agency was a worse decision. McNabb took his former coach's side.
"I'll say the Eagles losing Andy, because obviously with Saquon, it's newer, it's fresh," McNabb said. "But I go back years ago to the success that we had with Andy, and I think after I left, things kind of were a little up and down. It wasn't as consistent as it was, and he was blamed for it.
"And you look at what Andy has done now (with the Chiefs) and what possibly he could have done if given a little bit more time with Philadelphia. I think Andy would probably rank first in that decision that they made."
McNabb still had kind words to say about Barkley and had time to make fun of the Giants for letting him go.
"It was a real big mistake and I think it's going to cost them a little bit because of the decision not to trade Saquon and get someone back for him," McNabb said. "...And to be on the HBO special Hard Knocks, it just piled on."
McNabb backing up Reid during the initial question isn't a huge shock. Reid showed a lot of trust in McNabb throughout his career, which started when he drafted him No. 2 overall in the 1999 NFL Draft. Reid named McNabb the starter in his second season as Eagles' coach, which led to the most successful stretch in Eagles history to that point.
McNabb and Reid led the Eagles to four NFC Championship Game appearances in a row from 2001 to 2004. Although it only ended up one Super Bowl appearance — a loss to the New England Patriots — the Eagles were still one of the best teams in the NFL with McNabb under center and Reid calling plays.
The relationship ended in 2009, when McNabb was traded to the franchise now known as the Washington Commanders for a second round pick. Reid made the postseason one more time, but after two consecutive years without playoff football, the Eagles fired Reid in 2012.
Since then, Reid has has an incredible second act. The Kansas City Chiefs hired Reid in 2013 and he's turned them into a powerhouse, winning three Super Bowls.
"You sit back and kind of watch and see his career has been taken to another level," McNabb said.
Both the Eagles and Reid benefited from the split. Reid has cemented himself as one of the greatest coaches of all-time because of his success in Kansas City. On the other hand, the Eagles have won two Super Bowls since Reid left and have consistently been one of the top teams in the league. Reid and the Eagles have even met in two Super Bowls, splitting the appearances in 2022 and 2024.
