McNabb, a six-time Pro Bowler, instantly changes the face of the Redskins' offense, simultaneously casting uncertainty on quarterback Jason Campbell's future and the team's plans for this month's draft. His arrival also means Redskins fans can expect a new starting quarterback at the start of the 2010 season.
In exchange for McNabb, the Redskins gave up their second-round pick in this month's draft — the draft's 37th overall selection — and a fourth-round selection in the 2011 draft. Next year's pick, though, could become a third-round selection, depending on McNabb's performance this season.
McNabb was Philadelphia's dependable starter since midway through his rookie season in 1999. He led the Eagles for more than a decade, taking them to the Super Bowl XXXIX, the same season in which he was named the NFC's offensive player of the year in 2004. A mobile quarterback and polarizing figure for many fans, McNabb's future has been in doubt in Philadelphia since the Eagles acquired Michael Vick in 2009 and drafted Kevin Kolb in the second round of the 2007 draft.
Despite votes of confidence from Eagles coach Andy Reid and team president Joe Banner, the Eagles began putting out feelers last month that they would be willing to trade McNabb. At the same time, the Redskins were weighing their options for the 2010 season.
With a new coaching staff in place, the Redskins are expected to implement a new offense this season, so it's not surprising that they sought out a new quarterback. It wasn't immediately certain how this might affect the team's draft plans. Many around the league expected the Redskins to pursue a quarterback in this month's draft.
Shanahan has said he intended to personally scout four to five of the top quarterback prospects. They've already brought in Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen and Florida's Tim Tebow for in-person visits, and Oklahoma's Sam Bradford and Texas' Colt McCoy were both expected to tour Redskins Park this week. At least one league source said Sunday night that the Redskins could still draft a quarterback and use McNabb as a buffer to allow a young quarterback to learn the team's new system and adjust to the professional level.
As veterans go, there aren't many with a more impressive resume than McNabb. A product of Syracuse University, McNabb was the second overall pick in the 1999 draft. In the years that followed, he was a postseason regular and often a thorn in the Redskins' side, leading the Eagles to four straight division titles (2001-04, five conference championship games (2001-04, '08) and one Super Bowl appearance.
The 33-year-old quarterback already has more than 32,000 career passing yards and 200 touchdowns. He comes to Washington, one of the Eagles' chief NFC East rivals, as Philadelphia's all-time leader in wins, pass attempts, completions, yards, and touchdowns.
Speaking to reporters last month at the NFL's annual owner meetings, Shanahan declined to name Campbell as his starter, saying the Redskins' five-year veteran would have to earn the honor in training camp. He clearly had different plans, though.
Campbell had been the cornerstone of the Redskins' offense for the past five years. Drafted in the first round of the 2005 draft under former coach Joe Gibbs, Campbell has started the team's past 32 games and 52 of their past 56. Since taking over the starting job midway through the 2006 season, no quarterback has started more games for the Redskins since Mark Rypien led the huddle from 1989 to '93.
But playing by an embattled offensive line and a rotating cast of coaches, Campbell struggled to make the Washington offense more effective. Last season, Campbell was sacked 43 times, more than all but two other NFL quarterbacks. Statistically, Campbell had posted noticeable improvements since taking over the starting job four seasons ago. He annually improved on his completions, touchdown passes, passing yards and quarterback rating.
But it wasn't enough to impress the new coaching staff. Shanahan's first hire was his son, Kyle, as the team's offensive coordinator, which signaled a renewed commitment to the passing game. Last season, when Kyle Shanahan was the offensive coordinator in Houston, the Texans featured the league's top-ranked passing attack.
Seeking to replicate such results, the Redskins clearly felt a change of quarterback was in order.
With McNabb in place, the team still has four other quarterbacks under contract: Campbell, Rex Grossman, Colt Brennan and Richard Bartel.
