Donovan McNabb: Would He Help or Hurt These 4 NFL Teams?

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Minnesota Vikings will release quarterback Donovan McNabb on Thursday.

Here's the tweet from Schefter: 

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"Filed to ESPN: Vikings plan to release Donovan McNabb today, according to a league source."

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With so many teams seemingly in need of a veteran quarterback, McNabb's release may open a few doors. Let's find out whether McNabb would help or hurt the four teams to which most have connected him.

Chicago Bears

A lot of people will simply assume that the Bears will claim McNabb, a native Chicagoan and a guy that has had success in the NFL at quarterback.

I wouldn't be so sure.

The Bears wouldn't have long to get McNabb up to speed on Mike Martz's offense. In any case, what has McNabb shown over the past two seasons to suggest that he could come into Chicago cold-footed and be better than Caleb Hanie is right now? 

It'd make for a nice story, but adding McNabb and starting him would hurt the Bears' chances at making the playoffs in 2011. 

Houston Texans

Houston is another destination many people will associate McNabb with, but why? The Texans signed Jake Delhomme this week, and rookie T.J. Yates is currently the clear-cut starter.

Again, I'll say this: What makes you think that McNabb would make a better fit in Houston than either Delhomme or Yates? And don't you think Gary Kubiak, Mike Shanahan's long-time offensive coordinator in Denver, called up Shanahan for a little talk on McNabb?

In addition, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle confirmed today that the Texans will likely have no interest in claiming McNabb. That settles this case.   

Dallas Cowboys

Finally, we have a team on which I think McNabb would be a fit. No—not as the starter.

But Jon Kitna is currently injured, and the Cowboys don't have an immediate option behind him. If Tony Romo were to get hurt, the Cowboys' promising season would come crashing down.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was noncommittal about McNabb, but the Cowboys' quarterback situation might sway him. Dallas currently looks like the best fit for McNabb if he still wants to be in the NFL.   

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs recently lost Matt Cassel to a season-ending injury, and they brought in former Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton as an insurance policy last week.

Current starter Tyler Palko has struggled in two starts, but I don't think the Chiefs would have any interest in adding another guy to the mix. Adding Orton was already a Hail Mary in what looks like a lost season, and bringing in McNabb would only complicate things.