
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb’s days in the city of brotherly love have seemingly been numbered for years, but there are indications the Eagles may actually be looking to move him this offseason. If they do, one very possible destination is Minnesota, where the Vikings have put themselves smack in the middle of The Third Annual Brett Favre Retirement Sweepstakes.
First, let’s take a look at the Eagles situation. McNabb is entering the final year of his contract and at 33, hasn’t shown the ability to take the Eagles to their ultimate goal – a Super Bowl championship. Meanwhile, Kevin Kolb was drafted in 2007 as McNabb’s eventual successor and has spent most of his three seasons in Philly holding a clipboard, although he did look impressive in two starts for an injured McNabb in the early part of the 2009 season (718 yards, 4 TDs, 3 Ints).
See any parallels to the Green Bay Packers here?
Yup. It could turn out a lot like when the Packers showed Favre the door.
Like Favre, McNabb still has some gas left in the tank. He threw for 3,553 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2009 against only 10 interceptions, but Philadelphia eventually has to hand the ball to Kolb and with young playmakers like DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy ready to take over the offense, that time is probably now. And, since McNabb is still playing at a high level, he’s a valuable trade commodity (the Eagles will likely ask for a No. 1, but are more likely to get a second- or third-round pick).
That, of course, brings us to our favorite target of derision and scorn – the Vikings.
The Vikings have no real idea what Favre is going to do and they, like we, know he’s subject to change his mind at any time. We also know Favre probably isn’t likely to make a decision until late in the summer, so he can avoid training camp.
Assuming Favre does retire, Minnesota seems the most likely landing spot for McNabb.
The Vikings are in win-now mode, as they signaled with the signing of Favre last season (and hey, they need a new stadium, too). They have the talent to be a very good team and, if it wasn’t for good ole’ Lord Favre, they might be in the Super Bowl right now. Secondly, the organization clearly doesn’t have faith in backups Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels, or this conversation would be moot. Finally, it’s possible the Vikings could trade for McNabb simply because they don’t want to play Favre’s game – a McNabb trade would essentially force Favre into retirement.
It’s an intriguing situation for a number of reasons, mostly because the Vikings don’t necessarily look like they’ll come out as winners regardless of what happens.
Scenario 1: Favre returns
The Vikings wait around for Favre all summer with no real plan of action to replace him. He finally shows up in late August after subjecting the team to unneeded media scrutiny. The Vikings go to the playoffs, Favre throws a bone-headed interception with the game on the line – season over.
Scenario 2: Vikings trade for McNabb
The Vikings get McNabb and, in the process, mortgage part of their future by trading away a high draft choice (just like they did for Rosenfels). McNabb leads the Vikings through his typical up-and-down season, the team makes the playoffs as a wild card and lose in the first round because, let’s face it, like the Vikings, McNabb has never demonstrated the ability to win the big game. The McNabb trade signals a downward spiral for the Vikings, who, as their current players age, are unable to replace them. In three years, the Vikings are looking up at Detroit in the NFC North.
Scenario 3: Vikings stand pat
Favre retires and the Vikings go into the season with Rosenfels and Jackson. The Vikings go back to mediocre and out of the playoffs, right where they belong.
These scenarios are all wild predictions by me, of course.
The point is, no matter what they do, the Minnesota Vikings will still fail because that’s what failures do.
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Not a vikings fan, but after watching them manhandle the Packers twice this season, and the “vaunted’ packers D get eaten alive by the cardinals, I don’t see how packers fans have any room to talk…
Clearly you are a Vikings fan and are just feeling bad about yourself, your crappy State, your beat up QB, the fact that you got owned on Sunday, the distinct possibility that said beat up QB will attempt to hold your organization hostage during the off season AND the fact that you may well be stuck w/ either T-Jack, Sage or Nabby next season. It sucks to be a Vikings fan……….i would say that we could try and understand………but i can’t, coz we are Packers fans and we are fucking awesome!
Tom – probably because whatever happened last season is moot. It’s done. Neither the Packers nor Vikings made the Super Bowl.
This article is talking about the future. And the Packer’s future is much, much brighter. They have a franchise QB locked up until atleast 2014. Rodgers, Jennings, Finley, Jones, Nelson, and Grant are all 26yrs old or younger. The future is bright for the Pack.
Yea Tom! Vikings have 2 garunteed wins next year against the packers because you forget scenario D: where Farve comes back and eats up your butts again BIG TIME! PANTS ON THE GROUND BOYS! HAHAHA!
Skol Vikings!!!!
hey tom and hans!!!
FUCK YOU AND THE VIKINGS!!!!
…fags
I tell ya what Hans, i’ll have a chat w/ Packers front office to see if we can throw the Vikes another player from our roster………..oh and as for next year, i’ll bet you your entire unemployment check that we will win both games and win the division.
Hans. You idiot. It’s Favre not Farve. I know you Vikings fans are mildly retarded but come on, he’s your effen quarterback.
Hey Monty, I think it’s time to give the Wonderlic to some of the geniuses that comment on this site. When they don’t get at least a 12 (that’s barely literate there Hans) block them.
Anyway my money’s on scenario #4.
The Queens trade for McNabb, and then the day before Game 1 Favre boards a private jet for MSP so he can cry for ESPN when Childress skips his team walkthrough to pick him up.
Take it easy, TPS. If knowing how to spell words like guarantee and the team’s quarterback’s last name were prerequisites, the vikings would have a much smaller fan base. They are still stinging from getting favred for their first time. Too bad the NFL doesn’t give out championship trophies for crying or trolling their younger, better looking rival’s blogs.
Hans,
Get off your mom’s computer and finish your english homework. God knows you need it…
Wonder if Holmgren’s eyeballing Bertt in Cleveland. Haha.
Hans, Brett is gonna eat up our assholes? I’m not sure that’s ok with me
Both vikings wins came early in the season during our o-line debacle..not to mention somehow the vikings had indoor mostly second half of there season (lol..chicago monday night game..true cold weather QB favre was NFCCG 2007 de ja vu)..the hillbilly is gonna be 1 year older and skip training camp..I like our chances I think we probably have a tough time winning in the met-shithole-dome…but favre last game at lambeu should be a loss..as the pack is going up and the vikings are going to hell.
There’s another scenario. Farve and the Vikes score 80 pts on the Packs overated d in 2010 and McNabbs 2011 vikes light up the Pack again. The 2nd half of the season u played only 2 good teams and the Steelers and Cards lit u up just like we did and will because u r soft and played no one good who didn’t score at will.