Donovan McNabb To The Minnesota Vikings A Lock?

While the NFL is currently sitting in purgatory waiting for some type of labor agreement to emerge, player movement has been halted and the typically active free agent and trade markets are frozen in time. So all we can do is speculate over the future of certain players and teams. One former Pro Bowler currently marooned on that deserted island is Washington Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb.

We all know the Redskins have essentially already dumped McNabb. Hell, they threw Rex “The Sex Cannon” Grossman out there at the end of last season instead of McNabb, all but ensuring his short tenure in Washington had come to a close. So where will the six-time Pro Bowler end up? One team appears set to give him its starting spot.

The Minnesota Vikings are in need of an upgrade at the quarterback position, and tons of reports have surfaced saying that if there is a season in 2011, McNabb will end up wearing purple. The Vikes are interested in acquiring him, but likely won’t be willing to give up much in return, because - as mentioned before - everyone knows the Redskins are done with McNabb.

If the ‘Skins don’t trade or release McNabb before the first regular season game of 2011, he will be owed a $10 million bonus. Washington could wait until just before that bonus is due, but the longer a team has to wait to get a quarterback acquainted with its offense, the less they’ll be willing to part with in exchange for him.

Even if the Vikings select a quarterback in next week’s draft, no one in the current class looks like a sure bet to step in and win now, so bringing in McNabb would still make sense. The Vikings currently have a great running back, solid offensive line and good receivers. Offensively, they’re ready to win now and need someone who can make that happen.

While McNabb struggled in Washington last year (77.1 quarterback rating, 14 touchdowns and 15 interceptions), the 34-year-old was excellent with Philadelphia in 2009. He finished that season with 3,553 yards, 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 60.3 percent of his passes. He also finished with a 92.9 quarterback rating and made the Pro Bowl for the first time in five years.

We think McNabb has something left in the tank and he would be a perfect fit in Minnesota.