vikings/nfl
Dan Wiederer began covering the Vikings in 2011, enthusiastically delivering insight on the team across the Star Tribune's print and digital products. Prior to joining the Access Vikings team, he spent seven seasons covering ACC basketball at The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. He also covered the Chicago Bears in 2003 and 2004. Follow him on Twitter @StribDW.
Mark Craig has covered football and the NFL the past 20 years, including the Browns from 1991-95 and the Vikings and the NFL since 2003. Since 2008, Craig has served as one of the 44 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. He can be followed on Twitter at @markcraignfl.
McNabb a Viking in 2011?
Posted by: under Vikings, NFC, Packers, Brad Childress, Brad Childress, Brett Favre, Vikings quarterbacks Updated: April 5, 2010 - 12:21 AM
Shortly after it became clear that the Philadelphia Eagles were shopping Donovan McNabb a report surfaced that the quarterback's first choice was to play for the Vikings.
But the timing for a reunion between McNabb and Vikings coach Brad Childress was not right -- at least in the minds of those who work at Winter Park. The Vikings are waiting on Brett Favre to make up his mind about the future and the Eagles wanted to move McNabb as soon as possible. That happened on Sunday night when Philadelphia sent McNabb to division rival Washington for a second-round pick (37th overall) in this month's draft and either a third- or fourth-round selection next year. (I wonder what the Packers thought of this deal, given the fact they could have traded Favre to the Vikings a few years back but never considered it.)
But that does not mean this is the end of the McNabb-to-Minnesota speculation. McNabb, 33, is entering the final season of a contract that will pay him $11.2 million this season and there is a chance he could elect to play out the deal and hope he gets the opportunity to test unrestricted free agency.
If McNabb really wants to play for the Vikings -- and the Vikings really want him -- the veteran could be wearing purple in 2011. No one knows how much longer the 40-year-old Favre is going to play and it's unclear if the Vikings are going to be willing to go through this song-and-dance routine with Favre again next year.
Thus, it would not be a shock if next March the Vikings turn their attention to McNabb. The issue, however, is the uncertainty about next season because of the lack of a collective bargaining agreement. If a new CBA isn't settled upon by March 2011, that could mean that free agency would be delayed.
The other factor is the possibility that if a new CBA is in place, that teams could continue to use a franchise tag on top players. If that is the case, the Redskins could apply the franchise tag to McNabb and thus retain his services.
If the McNabb trade proves one thing -- and I know many of you are sick of reading anything related to Favre -- it's that Brad Childress and Co. aren't kidding when they say they are going to wait on Favre (and remain extremely confident that he's going to return). If the Vikings were bluffing about Favre, it's highly unlikely they would have sat out the McNabb talks.
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