Donovan McNabb: Controversy in the Capital

The D.C. sports scene always seems to be getting attention, from Gilbert Arenas’ poor judgment last year to the coming and rise of Stephen Strasburg.

Now, we could see the fall of Donovan McNabb in the District. While he never won the Super Bowl, he leads the Eagles organization in passing touchdowns, passing yards, completions and single-season yards.

He also leads in taking the organization to five NFC Championship games, as well as a Super Bowl appearance. McNabb has become accustomed to facing adversity, considering he faced it the day he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles.

McNabb has been questioned as a leader and about not being the guy to take the organization over that hump. He also witnessed the Eagles' front office draft Kevin Kolb to eventually replace him. Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid pulled McNabb in a game against the Baltimore Ravens because of his poor play. Arguably, McNabb has taken more heat than anybody in the Eagles’ organization over the past decade.

In hopes of developing a long-term quarterback in Kolb, McNabb was traded to the Washington Redskins for picks in the 2010 and 2011 NFL drafts. After talks of signing an extension and with the NFL work stoppage potentially coming, McNabb decided to sign a five-year extension worth around $78 million. Here is how the deal breaks down, according to the ESPN NFL Insider Adam Shefter:

• 2010: $3.5 million signing bonus/$250,000 if active eight games

• 2011: $10 million option bonus/$2.5 million salary/$750,000 if active 16 games/$250,000 workout/$2 million possible playoff incentives

• 2012: $12.75 million salary/$750,000 if active 16 games/$250,000 workout/$2 million possible playoff incentives

• 2013: $13 million salary/$1.5 million if active 16 games/$250,000 workout/$2 million possible playoff incentives

• 2014: $13.75 million salary/$3 million if active 16 games/$250,000 workout/$2 million possible playoff incentives

• 2015: $13.55 million salary/$2.25 million if active 16 games/$250,000 workout/$2 million possible playoff incentives

Option bonuses have become the standard today because of the league’s financial uncertainty, as well as the CBA expiring soon. McNabb has a $10 million option, but the Redskins have the option to cut McNabb at the end of this season and not owe him any money.

If they went forward, it would make them liable for McNabb’s base salary of $2.5 million in 2011. However, cutting him would make the Redskins' front office only liable for $3.75 million and allow McNabb his freedom.

Now, how much has his stock been hurt by his 14 TD, 15 INT season? Donovan is statistically having the worst year of his career since his rookie season. Coach Mike Shanahan has been very displeased with his play and even went as far as benching him for the final minutes in a game against the Detroit Lions.

Shanahan cited that McNabb did not have the “cardiovascular endurance” to run a two-minute offense. Recently, Shanahan decided to start Rex Grossman over McNabb for the rest of the season.

This has caused outrage within the team, as well as hurting Fletcher Smith (not just because this will affect him getting paid). Fletcher made it clear that McNabb did not deserve this treatment and how he has been a class act his entire career. McNabb issued a statement to Pro Football Talk saying that he respects the decision as a head coach, but strongly disagrees with it.

One thing I believe that Reid has done better than anybody is to evaluate the talent on that Eagles' roster. He knows when a guy is washed up or can still play effectively at a high level.

The question remains is how much McNabb’s future contracts will be affected by his poor performance this season. McNabb will certainly find another job, but it appears he is out after this year. His next contract will take a big salary reduction and less guaranteed money. Also, where could his future home be? Nobody knows.

In the mean time, let’s continue to see if Grossman will be able to play better than McNabb did and enjoy the controversy in our nation’s capital.