Future Uncertain for Donovan McNabb

For the third time in two seasons, former pro-bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb finds himself unemployed with what might be the most smash mouth reality check of his turbulent career.



On December 1, Donovan McNabb requested his release from the Minnesota Vikings where yet again he found himself being replaced as the starting quarterback much like last season with the Washington Redskins and the season before with the Philadelphia Eagles. The reasons for McNabb’s benching are just as clear now as they were then. He is not the same player he once was – age has stomped on Donovan’s hero cape and dragged him down through the muddy earth. He is not in the dominant playing shape that took him to 6 Pro Bowls and with the Eagles to 4 NFC Championship games with 1 Super Bowl appearance. The majority of his passes in 2011 landed in the dirt or over people’s heads instead of his receivers’ hands, and the headache inducing escape ability his mind and legs stunted defensive players with over the years is now a rickety, sluggish mess.

Donovan still feels he has starting potential in the NFL, but after being unclaimed on waivers by the Vikings, perhaps he has received the wakeup call he didn’t want or perhaps it is the call that he needs because truthfully, barring some unfortunate injury, there is no team that will place him heads and shoulders above their currently assembled quarterback lineup. The Dallas Cowboys and the quarterback plagued Houston Texans both passed on him. So did the playoff hopeful Chicago Bears who just lost their starting quarterback Jay Cutler. It would have been interesting to see how McNabb performed in front of his hometown Windy City crowd, but even they passed on his fading skills.

McNabb was booed by Eagles fans when Philadelphia drafted him in the first round. He has been overly criticized by both sports and political analysts on his talents but never on his leadership skills, and whatever detriments the media, the fans, and even coaches have begrudgingly thrown at him, Donovan McNabb has always remained the consummate professional.

Maybe it is time to hang up the helmet and pads and join his former NFL brethren in the ESPN studios on NFL Live, or maybe Donovan McNabb has enough gas left in the aging tank for one more run to do what he has done time and time again – prove people wrong.