Five Thoughts on McNabb contract

1. After getting it confirmed that Donovan McNabb’s contract had $40 million guaranteed, now we hear that really isn’t the case. No shocker there considering how each side wants to spin things. But ESPN’s Adam Schefter offered an interesting breakdown of the contract here. It’s worth reading and it makes the deal look a whole lot better/smarter from the Redskins perspective.

2.   Basically, there’s a bonus worth $10 million that the Redskins will have to decide if they want to pay McNabb in the offseason. If they don’t pay it, he can be released and it’s only cost them $3.75 million. So here’s the deal: Until this bonus is paid, the same question will come up. Will McNabb be in Washington next season? Been doing this too long to think it’s a done deal that he’ll be back. McNabb said on his ESPN 980 radio show today that, “I will be here next year….I will be here for the next couple of years to continue to turn this thing around. I think I’m happy, I hope the Redskin nation is happy. I look forward to continue to try to move this thing in the right direction.” This game still isn’t over. Or have people forgotten the contract that made Stephen Davis a Redskin for life?

3.   That said, the Redskins clearly hedged their bets by signing him to this extension. If they don’t think they can upgrade at this position then they’ll give him the bonus. Also, I am not sure how the CBA uncertainty affects this contract. That will say a lot, too. I also would not have expected the Redskins to sign him to anything if they didn’t want this to work or if they didn’t think that it would. They could have just let him leave and chalk it up to a bad trade. Now if he leaves they’d be out two picks and nearly four million. So if I had to wager, he would be back next season.

4.   Trying to find a QB is the toughest thing to do in the NFL. Yes, McNabb is struggling, but this is not all his doing. His inaccurate throws are the same one’s he’s made for a dozen years. They need a talent upgrade (as most knew before the season) and some patience considering how many players are in their first year of this system. Last night, 10 of the 11 offensive starters were in their first year of this offense. The coaches know this, too. The question is, what sort of overhaul is needed and where will McNabb’s talent level be at when this time is done building this offense? It could take a couple years.

5.   The Redskins should still look at finding and developing a young QB in the offseason. Is John Beck that sort of guy? Well, he’s not really young (29) and didn’t show enough this summer – yes, with less than a month in this offense – to think he’d be that player. So if you look at this McNabb deal as a three-year marriage, then get another guy in here next year by drafting someone higher in the draft.