McNabb Goes Unclaimed, Now A Free Agent
Added on Dec 02, 2011 by Jack Thurman in
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The Minnesota Vikings released veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb earlier this week and there are now questions about his future in the league after he went unclaimed off of waivers. McNabb has struggled in his last two assignments as a starter and now finds himself a free agent for the first time in his 13 year NFL career.
McNabb’s agent Fletcher Smith tried to spin the events in a positive light:
“This was probably the most desirable outcome. This way it really gives him a chance to weigh his options and evaluate the situations as they come and make the best decision for him.
“The intent all along was to put himself in a position to explore any opportunities as they present themselves. He could not do that while he was a member of the Minnesota Vikings.”
According to Smith, money isn’t the top priority at this stage of McNabb’s career–he’s looking to be a Super Bowl winner:
“At the end of the day, at this stage of his career, the most important thing for him is winning a Super Bowl. That’s what he wanted in Minnesota, that’s what he wanted in Washington and that’s what he wanted in Philadelphia. If he moves to another team, that’s what he’ll want there.”
Although his agent insists that his client can still play at a high level in the NFL, but McNabb received a lukewarm endorsement from his former head coach Leslie Frasier. When asked if McNabb could still start in the NFL Frasier responded:
“I’m not certain about that. It depends. Every team is so different in what their needs are. A lot depends on the team he goes to, if he goes to another team.”
McNabb was a fixture in Philadelphia for most of his career and has amassed an impressive resume– six Pro Bowls, five NFC championship games, a Super Bowl appearance and more than 37,000 yards passing. He’s struggled in Washington and Minnesota, and finally the Vikings decided the best move was to go with rookie Christian Ponder. Minnesota is 2-7 SU this season and has nothing to play for this season.
