Donovan McNabb Released: Minnesota Vikings to Cut Ties with Veteran Quarterback

Remember when Donovan McNabb was the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings?

To be sure, it does seem like that was a long time ago. The Vikings brought McNabb in to hold the fort until rookie quarterback Christian Ponder was ready, but they ended up making the switch in mid-October. McNabb's services, such as they were, were no longer needed.

On Thursday, the Vikings decided that McNabb's presence itself is no longer required. Here's the latest from ESPN's Adam Schefter:

So just like that, McNabb's stint with his third NFL team will come to a close. 

That the Vikings have concluded they no longer need McNabb is not all that surprising. Ponder has a vice grip on the starting job, and McNabb didn't do the Vikings much good when he was under center this year. At the time he was relieved of his starting duties, McNabb had just four touchdown passes and a quarterback rating of 82.9.

Assuming McNabb is ready, willing and able, he should sign with his fourth NFL team before the regular season comes to a close. There are a handful of playoff contenders with quarterback issues, and a player with McNabb's reputation will be an attractive option.

In fact, Schefter has revealed (via Pro Football Talk's Evan Silva) that McNabb has his eyes on the Chicago Bears:

On Wednesday, Bears starting quarterback Jay Cutler spoke to the media about the possibility of him returning from a broken thumb this season, and he said that he "could be" done for the rest of the year.

McNabb last played in the playoffs in 2009 with the Philadelphia Eagles. He completed just 51.4 percent of his passes and compiled a 68.5 QB rating in a 34-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. 

It proved to be his final game with the Eagles.