Redskins shockingly give Donovan McNabb a $78 million extension
Leave it to the Redskins to make a decision that not only sends shockwaves through the NFL, but also leaves everyone questioning whether or not owner Daniel Snyder has a fully functioning brain.
The Redskins agreed to terms with quarterback Donovan McNabb on a five-year, $78 million contract extension though 2015. This is the same McNabb that was benched for Rex Grossman two weeks ago in Detroit because Mike Shanahan believed he wasn’t physically fit enough to run the two-minute offense. This is the same McNabb that has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns this year, has posted his lowest completion percentage since 2006 and who reportedly has been extremely slow to pick up Shanahan’s offense.
Oh, and he’s also set to become 34 at the end of the month.
Maybe the Redskins know something we don’t. Maybe McNabb drank from the fountain of youth recently and he’s about to lead the Redskins on a miracle second half run that nets them a playoff berth and a Super Bowl victory. Maybe people will look back at Washington’s decision and deem it the greatest personnel move in the history of football.
Or maybe, and this seems more likely, McNabb will post very average numbers over the next couple of years and he’ll never see the end of this contract. Maybe Snyder (or Bruce Allen, or whoever is making the final decisions in D.C. now) once again overpaid a player and when the new CBA deal is signed, his team will permanently have a place reserved in cap hell.
I’m a McNabb fan but he hasn’t earned this raise. He’s not working with much, but how can the Redskins build a decent core around him if they’re paying him $78 million over the next five years?
And why now? Why not wait to see if McNabb starts to play better before you sign him to an enormous extension? He wasn’t good enough to beat out Rex Grossman for the opportunity to run your two-minute offense but he’s worth $78 million? I don’t get it.
Again, this could all work well for the Redskins but I severely doubt it. And if McNabb is worth $78 million, what will Michael Vick or Peyton Manning command next March?
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