Vikings May Release Quarterback McNabb

According to Brian Hall of FSNorth, Donovan McNabb asked the MN Vikings to release him, of which, they are considering.  With Jay Cutler's fractured thumb, will he go to play for his "home" team, the Chicago Bears?

No worries for MN Viking's fans, Christian Ponder has started the last five games and may just be what the team has been searching for.  Do you agree?

The Minnesota Vikings plan to grant Donovan McNabb's request to be released, according to a FOXSports.com source, ending a brief stay in Minnesota for the six-time Pro Bowl quarterback.

With several potential playoff teams needing help at quarterback after key injuries, including Chicago and Houston, Vikings coach Leslie Frazier was asked Monday whether the team had given any thought of letting McNabb catch on elsewhere.

"Right now, he's a part of our team and I think he wants to remain with our team, and that's kind of where it is," Frazier said.

 

McNabb declined any interviews Monday and was seen in the locker room Thursday afternoon before news of his release broke.

McNabb was acquired in a trade with the Washington Redskins after the lockout was lifted in August. He was expected to give the Vikings a veteran starter while the team groomed first-round pick Christian Ponder. McNabb started the first six games of the season while Minnesota went 1-5. He was replaced in the second half of a Week 6 loss at Chicago.

McNabb has a quarterback rating of 82.9 this season. He has completed 60.3 percent of his passes, with four touchdowns and two interceptions. He was sacked 16 times in his six games and hasn't taken the field since the Vikings switched to Ponder.

Ponder has started the past five games and has given Minnesota's staff the hope it has found a long-term answer at quarterback.

"I believe he is," Frazier said Wednesday. "We still have five more games in our season to go where we can continue to evaluate his progress. But he's done some things in these starts that he's had to give you hope he's a guy that's going to continue to grow and develop and learn.

"So we'll see what happens after these next five games. All indications are he's going to be the answer for our future long-term at quarterback. We're not going to have to be looking for a quarterback, you know, two years from now or even a year from now. He's done some really good things from my observation."

According to league rules, McNabb will go through the waiver process. If he's claimed, the claiming team will assume the remainder of his $5.05 million contract for this season. If he goes unclaimed, Minnesota still has to pay the remainder of the contract, which amounts to $1.49 million.

It's possible McNabb will have interest in joining a playoff race with the Bears. He is from Chicago, and the Bears are without starter Jay Cutler, who broke his thumb two weeks ago. Chicago lost to the Oakland Raiders last weekend with Caleb Hanie as its starter.

Information via:  FS North, Brian Hall