NFC Notes: 49ers, Eagles, Giants

49ers

The 49ers and OT Joe Staley have not had any conversations about a new deal. Staley is in the final year of his contract and had left open the possibility that 2019 could be his final season. 

“But I’ve made it very clear to everybody that I want to play as long as I can,” Staley said via Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee. “I still love the game, still feel like I can play at a high level. Still feel like I’m valued on the football team. I know it’s my last year under contract, but I’m not worried about that. I’m just going to go out there and try and do everything I can to help us win games with this team.” 

Eagles

Former Eagles QB Donovan McNabb believes the next two years are critical for QB Carson Wentz to prove he can stay healthy and lead the Eagles to success. 

“I think in the next two years or so, he needs to find a way to get out of the second round of the playoffs,” McNabb said via NFL.com. “What Nick Foles was able to do, take them to a Super Bowl and then possibly take them back to the NFC Championship proves that, hey, some people can get into that offense and be very successful. [Wentz] hasn’t been healthy. He hasn’t really proven to me, besides the year before he got hurt, in his first year, of really the MVP candidate. He needs to get back to that mode.” 

McNabb adds that if Wentz can’t stay healthy or take the Eagles back to the NFC Championship game in the next two years, the Eagles should start looking for a replacement. 

“I think, personally, if he can’t get out of the second round in the next two, maybe three, years, but really two years, to be honest with you,” McNabb stated. “If he can’t get out of the second round, they should look to possibly draft another quarterback because you just don’t know about his durability.  Staying healthy is very key in this league. The team only goes as far as their quarterback takes them. And they put so many eggs in the basket with Carson Wentz and he has to prove that in the next two years.” 

Giants

Giants GM Dave Gettleman explained in an interview with Steve Politi of NJ.com that the team no longer has a culture problem following the moves they made this offseason.

“I think some people are still missing it,” Gettleman said. “Football is the ultimate team game. If all 11 guys aren’t doing the right thing, you’re not going to be successful.

“There’s more to it than just collecting talent. There is a cultural thing to it that’s critical. I have not been on a team that’s gone to a Super Bowl that’s had a culture problem.”

Gettleman also defended his approach to rebuilding the Giants by citing the fact he’s been a part of seven Super Bowl teams. 

“I’ve been to seven Super Bowls,” Gettleman said. “I feel very strongly that I know what it should look like, what it should smell like, what it should taste like. And, so, you can look at me and say, well, I either know what I’m doing or I’m a big fat rabbit’s foot. Neither one’s bad, right? I like my resume so far.”