As his contract with the Eagles was coming to an end, team president Joe Banner said he never seriously considered wanting to go anywhere else or do something else.

“If I could have any job in the world, I have the one I would pick,” he told the Daily News shortly after the team announced a contract extension. “There’s tremendous stress, much of it self-imposed; there’s been times when I was damn glad I had a vacation coming, but to have the one job I would pick out of all the jobs in the world, I don’t ever forget how lucky I am to be able to say that.”

Banner, who was named team president on Aug. 1, 2001, said he received a 4-year extension.

Asked for the highlight of his tenure, the most important thing he thinks he’s done, Banner said: “I would choose two. No. 1 is providing the team for the first time in its history, its own home. And along with the stadium, a facility to work out of as good as any in the league.

“No. 2 would be hiring Andy Reid, and the success that followed that. We realize the success isn’t complete – it has a hole in it that’s huge – but we’re grateful for it.”

Banner said this probably is his most challenging year, because of the expiring CBA.

“It’s interesting and uncertain,” he said. “It’s very difficult to know the rules going forward, so you don’t know what the smart thing to do is now.”

The Eagles also promoted senior vice president and chief financial officer Don Smolenski to the club’s Chief Operating Officer position.

“Joe’s superb foresight both on and off of the football field has been a key driving force for the team’s achievements,” Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. “And Don’s contributions over the last decade have been remarkable; his promotion to Chief Operating Officer is in recognition of his hard work, talent and dedication.”

-philly.com

This is great news here, Banner has been a lot of the reason as to why the Eagles are what they are today and hopefully he can continue this now for 4 years to come!