Washington Redskins: Donovan McNabb Is Benched, What Is Mike Shanahan Thinking?

Mike Shanahan has benched veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb in favor of Rex Grossman. What?!?!?!?!

Yes, that is not a misprint and yes, Shanahan has benched McNabb.

What makes the move so puzzling is that it was Shanahan who was all for bringing in McNabb this offseason. Thirteen games into the season, and Shanahan is singing a much different tune than the one he was singing after the Redskins acquired the six-time Pro Bowler.

With the playoffs out of the question for Washington, Shanahan has decided that he has seen enough from McNabb. Clearly this move is a long-term move for the Redskins who are likely to address their QB needs in the draft.

While many are going to claim that this is the ultimate insult from Shanahan, what it really appears to be is a ploy to lose out to gain a better draft pick. Think about it this way, if Shanahan isn't sold on McNabb being the franchise QB going forward, why would he start him the rest of the way?

It would be counterproductive when having a higher draft pick will be important in a QB-rich draft. Cam Newton, Ryan Mallett and Jake Locker are all highly regarded QBs that Shanahan could have his eye on.

So while it's easy to jump on Shanahan and question starting Grossman over McNabb, what people need to understand is this move is not about this week or even the rest of the season. It's about next season and the future of the Washington organization.

Grossman is not a better QB than McNabb nor will he ever be. So while this move by Shanahan doesn't make sense on the field, off the field it does. Shanahan hasn't been impressed with McNabb in the time they've had together and hasn't felt that he's lived up to expectations. 

McNabb's thrown 14 touchdowns to 15 interceptions and is completing under 60 percent of his passes. It's been an underwhelming season for him, and he looks like a QB that is in the twilight of his career.

This won't be McNabb's last job as there certainly will be a number of teams willing to ignore this past season and take a chance on him returning to pre-Washington form. 

Shanahan wanted McNabb to be John Elway and it didn't work out that way. Both sides will be better off going their own ways after this season. 

That way Shanahan can continue to look for the next Elway that he is so determined to find.