Donovan McNabb said that there has been no change to his uncertain standing with the Washington Redskins, and it is unclear as to whether his agent, Fletcher Smith, and Washington coach/executive vice president Mike Shanahan or general manager Bruce Allen have met.
McNabb this week is working as a guest Super Bowl analyst for ESPN, and while doing so yesterday evening, he was asked by ESPN’s Mike Tirico where he and the Redskins stood. McNabb, in his typical tight-lipped manner, said he is approaching things as if he is a Redskin -- for now.
“As of right now, I’m definitely a Washington Redskin,” said McNabb, who struggled in his first season with the Redskins and was benched for the final games of the season and isn't expected to return next year. “I signed a contract to be with them the next couple of years and that’s the way I’m treating it as such, and I think the way of approaching it myself is to make sure that this offseason, I focus on being a better quarterback and being ready for the 2011 season.”
When asked if he had had any discussions with Redskins management, McNabb said, "I haven't talked to them. On business aspects, that's when Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen and Fletcher Smith -- my agent -- get a chance to sit down and talk that aspect. But for the physical standpoint, I'll just make sure that I'm ready when the time comes if we are playing this year to be ready to step in and have fun."
McNabb also said, “For Fletcher Smith, as well as Bruce and Mike, they'll get a chance to sit down and iron some things out, and after the evaluation -- they've been evaluating the last several weeks -- hear their answer as to what we're doing next. And we'll go from there."
When asked if he could return to the Redskins, McNabb danced.
"Well, you know, there's a lot of things that has to be answered for all parties," he said. "At this particular time, I think it's important for all parties to keep everything low right now. What's less said is better and then from now on when the time comes to sit down, kind of iron it out and be able to move forward."
McNabb on Nov. 15 signed a contract extension worth up to $78 million over a five-year period, but beyond the $3.5 million increase that McNabb received in the 2010 season, little else was guaranteed. The Redskins have a $10 million option bonus that they can pick up for the 2011 season and trigger additional portions of the contract. Or, they could cut him by Sept. 1 and suffer little to no financial hit.
It's expected, however, that Washington will first try to trade the quarterback. But teams can't conduct any trades until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached between the NFL owners and the NFL Players Association.
