McNabb: I'll be an Eagle next season

MIAMI -- Donovan McNabb is not leaving Philadelphia.

That doesn't come from the Eagles. It comes from McNabb who, in his first public appearance since tearing up his knee this season, insisted that he is not dissatisfied with the Eagles and does not want to be traded.

"The so-called rumors are false," the quarterback said, appearing at a Chunky's Soup news conference. "I'm a Philadelphia Eagle and will continue to be a Philadelphia Eagle for years to come. And, hopefully, to retire as an Eagle.

"I do not want to be traded. I plan on getting myself back healthy to be ready for the opening of the season, to start and to be ready to go."

McNabb bowed out when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a Nov. 19 loss to Tennessee, ending his season. He was replaced by Jeff Garcia, who was so good (6-2 as a starter) he guided the Eagles to an NFC East championship and a playoff defeat of the New York Giants.

Philly's Donovan McNabb: 'The so-called rumors are false.' (Getty Images)

When McNabb, along with other injured Eagles, was barred from traveling with the team to its playoff game in New Orleans, reports surfaced that he was unhappy. He did not dispute that Wednesday. But reports also surfaced that he was so unhappy he wanted to leave the team, and McNabb said that was not true.

"Due to rules Andy (Reid) has you have to accept it," McNabb said of not flying to New Orleans. "And (I've) moved on from there."

On other issues, McNabb said:

• That Reid did not cancel a scheduled postseason news conference for McNabb because he was afraid of what the quarterback might say. "That's completely false," he said. "It was a situation where we both thought nothing good could come out of it. I know people were asking about the injury and wanted to know how the rehab was going, and at that time it was still early. We wanted to just focus on just getting healthier and felt it wouldn't be a good thing at the time."

• That his recovery is going well. He continues to strengthen his leg and is "right on course" with his rehabilitation. He did not say if he expected to be ready for the Eagles' training camp but indicated that "right now I'm on schedule. Hopefully, we will continue to take big strides."

• That he harbors no jealousy for Garcia, who became a fan favorite after McNabb bowed out. "I was very happy with Jeff," he said. "Before the decision was made I talked to Andy about making sure he went with Jeff. I know fans in Philadelphia wanted A.J. Feeley, and they cheered for him. But I told Jeff, 'You were brought in here to lead this team, and now it's time.' I was very excited to see the success he had and the way the fans (supported him). For those who feel I might have a grudge against Jeff or I was upset because of the way he was received that's completely false."