Philadelphia ? Jeff Garcia has the perfect opportunity to showcase his skills for a future employer.

When Garcia lines up under center for Philadelphia against the Carolina Panthers tonight, a national audience will be watching. Teams looking for a quarterback next season ought to pay close attention to a guy who went to three Pro Bowls and seems to have plenty game left.

Garcia, 36, is focused on helping the slumping Eagles climb back into the playoff race, but he also knows that he’s auditioning for his next job.

“Sure, let’s get one more big one,” Garcia said of a multiyear contract. “I know that’s a little less likely due to the fact that I’ll be 37, but I feel like I’m a young 37 next year. But it’s one of those things where I’m not so much caught up in that. Five weeks down the road, that’s when I’ll start to think about what’s going to happen for my future, but right now it’s living for the day.”

Garcia signed a one-year deal with the Eagles in March after playing five seasons in San Francisco and one each in Cleveland and Detroit. He became the starter when Donovan McNabb went down with a season-ending knee injury two weeks ago. In his first start at Indianapolis last Sunday, Garcia completed 19 of 23 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-21 loss.

The Eagles (5-6) need another solid performance from Garcia to have a chance against the Panthers (6-5). Both teams are fighting for a playoff spot in the mediocre NFC. Despite losing five of their last six games, the Eagles would thrust themselves into the playoff picture with a win over Carolina.

“My main thing is to let these guys know we’re still in it,” Garcia said. “Let’s have some fun. Let’s go out and let everything fly and not hold anything back and let’s make some positive things happen.”