A Trade Has Been Made... Donovan McNabb Is A REDSKIN?!

After 11 seasons in Philadelphia, the Donovan McNabb era has offically ended without a Super Bowl championship. ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting the Eagles have agreed to send the best quarterback in franchise history to the division rival Washington Redskins. They will receive a second round pick this year (37th overall), and either their third or fourth round pick next season. As transactions go, they don't get much bigger than this.

Following weeks and literally an entire season's worth of speculation during which the organization constantly reiterated Donovan is their quarterback, it took all of one day for Andy Reid to strike a deal. It does not come as a surprise though. The Eagles made their position clear last summer when they handed McNabb a raise, but declined to offer him an extension.

What's most amazing about the swap is the front office obviously decided they were content trading McNabb within the division. As a result, the five time Pro Bowler will have two opportunities every season to remind fans and his former club exactly how great they've had it over the past decade.

With McNabb out of the picture, the job finally belongs to Kevin Kolb. He filled in well for two games in 2009, which undoubtedly helped the front office become comfortable with the idea he could take over. However, it appears Michael Vick could return as an insurance plan in case the first year starter were to fizzle. The Eagles will most likely add another quarterback through the draft, likely a mid- to late-round pick who can develop and serve as the emergency reserve.

The second round pick obtained gives the Eagles another important piece in the upcoming draft. While we originally figured they could get at least a first for McNabb, the 37th pick isn't too far off. Beside being one of the top selections in the next round, this is widely considered the deepest draft going back as far as over a decade, so that selection still easily nets the team a player they've graded as a first round prospect. They can also package it with their 24th and move up the board, something not at all unusual for the Birds.

With all the doubts and concerns brewing the past few weeks, it's hard to imagine receiving a better package for McNabb. The Eagles are holding a press conference at 9:30.

These are only the facts of the trade. We have more analysis on the way beginning tomorrow from both the Donovan McNabb and the Kevin Kolb points of view. Now that it's actually happened, how do you feel?

Comments

[whatthehell]

Why would they trade him within the division??????? Idiots

[Scott B]

why in the fuck would they trade in the division.

fucking ass clowns

[Jim]

Our own division. Haha this front office never ceases to amaze me.

[jfaucher]

This better be a damn good deal to see him twice a year...

[Jay]

5 and that defense can beat this team twice a year. Way to go, FO. Way to go.

[parachute]

WOW

[shakeitup]

MOTHERF###!!!!!!!! the eagles are off my christmas list! I mean WTF?!?!?! the redskins??!?! the shittin redskins?!? Rue the day fellas, rue the day... better have gotten that #4 pick or our assholes will be sore for a long, long while...wtf am i talking about we didnt get the 4 pick! ANNNGEEERRRRR!!!!

[shann]

stunned. i'm just ... stunned.

[JoeM]

That is gonna be a weird couple games to watch. Hopefully they dont make one of them a monday night game and beat us over our heads with it.

All things consider I can deal with it as long as the got a good deal but man will that be weird.

[AChiarello]

Redskins are now better than us...how was this a good idea?

[Greg]

I just threw up.

[Jay]

2nd rounder this year, 3rd or 4th next year. Jesus.

[Sak]

McNabb has been traded to the redskins for the 37th pick this year and either 3 or 4 next year

[hitnrun]

I love Donovan. I'm a fan of everything about him except his HBO specials and the random exclamations of his mother.

With that said, if the only way to avoid trading Donovan to Oakland was to trade him within the division...we should have payed for his life insurance policy and had J-Roll give him some good tips on places to eat by the Bay.

[Jay]

Less than 24 hours before the Phils start the season. What a coincidence...........

That front office is like a bunch of 14 year old girls. Let it go. The Phils own the city now.

[Johnny Nas]

Within the division? I hope they got some good compensation... This division just became tougher.

[Jim]

It'll be a bittersweet opening day tomorrow for Philly fans.

[nick h]

anytime you have a chance to make a division rival better than you, you have to take it...

[Steve]

So, not only did they trade within the division, but the Eagles will now be taking away from the Phillies season opener. I seriously hate the Eagles' fron office.

[Dale Hunter]

Great move by Mike Shanahan!!! If the reports are true, the Skins didn't have to give up their 1st round pick.

With the Redskins and Mike Shanahan's offense, ready to be haunted by McNabb for the next 7-8 years?

[G-Town Dave]

I suppose if you enjoy watching the Eagles exit the playoffs in disgrace every year, this is a disappointing move. However, I have long felt that the franchise had zero chance of winning a Super Bowl w/ Reid coaching & McNabb at QB. They've had chance after chance after chance. It simply wasn't going to happen. Now if only we could get rid of Andy ... Oh well; one step at a time.

[TH]

I want Andy Reid's head on a pike. This is ludicrous. I don't mind us getting pennies on the dollar for him if we were trading him to Oakland. I don't mind us trading him to the Skins if we were getting their first round pick. But trading him to a divisional rival who could win right now for pennies on the dollar? Get the fuck out of here.

I'm pissed. Pissed as all hell.

The way they handled this deal from jump was ham-handed and clumsy, and now, instead of us shipping him to, say, San Francisco for a mid first rounder this year, a player and maybe an insignificant pick for next year, we get a 2nd round pick this year. The only solace I can take is that this draft is loaded and we could get Mike Iupati with the Skins pick along with some defensive help in the first, but we could have had a shot at Eric Berry or maybe even Gerald McCoy or Ndamukong Suh.

And we're not.

Fuck this. Fuck that fat lard Andy Reid. Fuck Howie Roseman. Fuck Joe Banner. Fuck all the people involved in bungling this deal and possibly setting up the Redskins for a run at the Cowboys and setting us up to finish in the basement in the division.

[ARphillyfan]

Biggest the WTF moment of my Eagles fandom career (born in 1987). I don't know how to react.

[Kevin]

No McNabb, no Westbrook, No Sheldon, No Gocong, weird

[Drew P.]

IN THE DIVISION?!

[Johnny Nas]

Again the Eagles try to silence the excitement of the Phillies opening day.

WTF the REDSKINS???

[Jay]

The Eagles 2010 roster will not contain 1 single player from the 2004-2005 Super Bowl season. A new era in Philly football has begun.

[Matt M]

You know what-FUCK THE EAGLES. The timing of this trade is nothing more than trying to overshadow the Phillies' season and Roy Halladay's debut. Fuck the fucking Eagles and their petty pussy jealousy of the real team in this city. I will no longer watch this team for the stunt they just pulled. Anyone with any balls will join my boycott untile Lurie and his little lapdog Banner are long gone from this city.

[i cant stand joe morgan]

for all intents and purposes, a REAL team begins play tomorrow. F the Eagles, an organization that has had sour grapes ever since they lost in 04. 1:05 tomorrow.

[The Other Jay]

@Jay: Wrong. David Akers says hello.

[Fall River]

He'll be injured before the 1st rematch. When have the skins ever made a deal to their advantage?

[Adam B]

As I said over in the Deadspin comments, I'm convinced that sometime in the last 18 months, Andy Reid ate his common sense and chased it with Joe Banner's.

Hat tip to the Sev poster who predicted a McNabb trade would dominate Monday's news cycle. Got any good lottery numbers for us?

[DP]

Were not rebuilding though...

[Howard Eskin]

I'm calling in sick tomorrow.

[Wilkes-Barre Sucked]

in my best Eric Cartman impersonation...

"the FUCK?!"

[Swift]

So... McNabb is a Redskin?

...and we didn't even get a first round pick for him?

Fuck this team... they are seriously fucked now, I cannot believe they didn't get a first rounder for McNabb. Truly unforgivable. I'm taking a year off from the Eagles. Wake me after the 4-12 Season next year.

[rick]

Sounds about right for this front office. wow.

[Jay]

@The Other Jay

You're right my friend. I guess we have to count kickers.

[ron]

everyone is right on the money here.
eagles are about to get ignored until september might as well make a splash.
the front office has their heads up their asses to trade in division.

@matt m-these bastards only understand dollars and cents. the answer is for us to quit wearing jeff lurie's "midnight green" and just wear the true philadelphia eagle "kelly green". we'll never give up on OUR team, it's time to tell them that they are renting this franchise from us, the fans.

[Swift]

Joe Banner... Jeffrey Lurie... and Andy Reid can suck on my taint.

A fucking second round draft pick... to our division fucking rivals... disgusting.

[Reese]

this is a fraud. im boycotting them for the season. pass up getting one of the best corners in the game and getting mcnabb as far from the eagles as possible for 2 DRAFT PICKS!!!! and we have no sheldon brown!!! this is a waste. if anyone can see anything bright about this...please enlighten me.

[JK]

With that defense, a much better head coach, and a run-heavy offense, he WILL beat us twice a year. Thanks Andy.

[Ryan]

Absolutely stunned. I can't wait to hear the spin game on this one as they try to explain how this makes the Eagles more competitive in any way.

[Bubbasuncle]

Too bad they didn't send Fat Boy with him. I'm a man without a team. I refuse to be shit on any longer by the team and it's owners. Would hope more would follow and maybe there will be a change. We keep making them rich and they keep crapping on us.

[Captain Awesome]

I'm not a big McNabb fan, especially his lack of clock management skills, but he's still one of the Eagles' best bets. So, in a nutshell:

-The Union's in their first season, so there's a good chance for a crap season
-The Flyers have been playing really inconsistently throughout the season so they it could really be over any day now
-The Sixers just plain suck
-The Eagles gutted their roster bigtime, so the next season depends on a how they do in the draft, and even then, they'll be a young team
-The Phillies are the NL Champs and have one of the best pitchers in the league and are considered one of the top runners for another good postseason run.

So....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZIvgQ9ik48

[Ryan]

And now I'm just realizing we let Sheldon walk for nothing. No Asamougha to take his place, nothing. I hate this team. So much.

[Reese]

Kudos to Mike Shanahan. Our buttholes are bloody and expansive after this trade.

[meghn]

Eagles who? Phillies baseball is the top story in this city!

[nick h]

wouldnt have minded if we traded mcnabb and reid for a 2nd and shannahan.

ill always be an eagles fan and ill root for anyone who puts the jersey on but this is just blowing my mind. couldnt we have gotten more than just a second from oakland or buffalo? i was a little excited when i thought we could have gotten their 1st rounder. that could have been eric berry or sue.

[briere sucks]

anyone esle ready to join the sexy rexy J E T S jets jets jets band wagon?

[Unikruk]

Yeah, I do believe we'll be mentioning The Easter Trade for years. Perhaps generations.

[Bob]

I am literally ill.....seriously.

It's funny we are all on the same page, even single one of us.

Wow the Eagles would do ANYTHING to steal headlines from the Phillies wouldnt they?

Thanks Eagles, you have ruined my Easter holiday for a long long time

[Nasislike]

it would be impossible to get a first round pick from any team for Mcnabb. I would never trade away a first round pick for someone like Mcnabb at his age. It wasn't going to happen.

[Wilkes-Barre Sucked]

the worst part of this is that, as evidenced in swift fashion in this thread, Dale Hunter will now piss us off on a regular basis with two teams as opposed to one.

[will]

just when i think this front office can't possibly make another dumb move....

sorry, i've never thought that.

[Swift]

4-12, bottom of the cellar. I'm calling it right now.

[parachute]

redskins season tickets are about to sell out.

[Drew P.]

Maybe they'll package whatever they get for an elite player? That's the only good thing I can see coming out of this...

[The Other Jay]

@Nasislike - I don't think its the fact that its a second round pick. I would be fine with a second rounder from the Bills. From the Raiders. From the Rams. But from a DIVISION RIVAL??

[Drew P.]

*by player I mean cornerback.

[nick h]

i wouldnt have demanded a 1st rounder, but if it was only a 2nd i would at least want mcnabb out of the division. or asomugha if those rumors were real or anything.

so moving on, he definitely gets a standing O when he comes back, right? unless he talks shit on the city.

[Jason R.]

I'm with the majority here: in the division, wtf?

I think this best sums up my opinion of the whole thing:

http://cdn2.maxim.com/maxim/files/2009/01/05/eagles-win-gets-us-thinking-about-heather/fs_2561_f-da-eagles-heather-gm_l8.jpg

tomorrow can't come soon enough, I need you to make this all make sense.

Lets go Phillies! *clap clap clap clap clap* Lets go Phillies! *clap clap clap clap clap* Lets go Phillies! *clap clap clap clap clap* Lets go Phillies! *clap clap clap clap clap*

[pilgrim]

Do we have to help the Redskins out with his contract at all? If not, I have no problem whatsoever with this trade.

[asd]

regardless of what the eagles do next year, this trade will never be justified.

you simply do not trade your franchise qb who still has definite life left in the tank (maybe he cant win it all, but still is one of the better qbs) to a division rival.

you just dont do that shit.

[Swift]

Seriously... I'm really looking forward to the Phils now, not at all interested in whatever rag-tag group the FO fields next season, they'll suck royally.

[bmac]

Everyone's gotta just chill out a little bit. Yeah, I hate the fact that he was traded to the redskins, but the 37th pick is the absolute best we are gonna get for him.

I think the eagles are planning something big on draft day. They now hold 7 draft picks in the top half of the draft. They have the 24, 37, 55, 70, 87, 105, 121, and 137. There are 255 selections in the entire draft. I think they are going after a big name, maybe berry.

We weren't gonna win with Mcnabb. Let's move on guys.

[Tom Keiser]

The last time we traded a megastar to Washington, at least we got Jeff Ruland in return.

Even I can't believe how pissed I am right now, as someone who wanted McNabb out of our hair.

Now I'm going to put on WIP, so I can get a rare chance to hear a collective heart attack over the air.

[Mike H.]

Kulp, we ought to make this a live chat for the next few hours. Yeah, I stole that idea from Philly.com.

Sad on so many levels. Never trade a QB within the division. A hundred years before you all were born, the Eagles had a quarterback named Sonny Jurgensen. After the Eagles traded him to the Redskins, he would go on to burn the Eagles for six more years, going all-Pro for four out of those six.

The best quarterback in Philadelphia Eagles history just got traded within the division for draft picks. Let that sink in.

I bet Mike Shanahan has that loony, overtanned, crazy teeth sort of look on his face right now. You know the one.

[asd]

to paraphrase a Jim Halpert line:

"The Sixers... arent my least favorite team in this city right now... congratulations universe, you win."

[w34p0nX20]

Well birds fans, welcome to mediocrity... All of the McNabb haters will rue the day... 6-10... AT BEST

[Bob]

If you EVER trade a franchise player to a division rival, you better get the friggin world for that player. The standard needs to be higher than what you are asking for outside the division.

Good Luck Kevin, you better be Aaron Rodgers or our franchise is fucked for the next 5 years....no pressure buddy.

[JoeM]

If the eagles get a 3rd rounder next year the value of that pick and the current pick will be combined worth about a #25 overall this year which is very good value for one year of McNabb. Man I really hope they can pull some gems out of this draft.

I honestly dont understand this trade from the Redskins perspective. Campbell was fine last year, their line and their running game were crap.

[Zeke]

Ok, ok, everyone settle down.

Anyone who thinks he was worth a first round pick is insane. They got a fair deal if you do not take in to account the fact that he stayed in the division. If you are thinking they were going to get Nnamdi AND the Raiders 2nd or Atogwe and the Rams 2nd, you are insane. It is a fair deal. We now own FIVE of the first 90 picks in the draft. That is nasty. We can literally do anything we want and add players that will make an impact immediately.

Now, everyone is freaking out that we are going to have to face him twice a year. Big fucking deal. Everyone was ready to push him out of town because he could not win a big game but now that he goes to a floundering franchise we are afraid of him? Get a grip!!! The Redskins could not run the ball (don't give me any shit about adding washed up Johnson and Parker), Jason Campbell got killed behind that line, their defense has talented underacheivers that make obscene amount of money. This is a team that went 4-12 this year. This makes them a contender??

You people drive me crazy. Call me Spadaro, call me an apologist, call me an idiot, but at least my eyes are open.

We got fair value for a guy we we ready to part with. Nothing more, nothing less. So chill the fuck out!!!

[Benjamin]

My first reaction was, "it better be an amazing deal, to trade within your division. They wanted a QB with their #4 pick, and they better get that. If not, it better me a 2nd and 3rd." Another Fail for the Eagles through out this process. That conditional pick does not make having to play McNabb and the Redskins D that typically frustrates the Eagles acceptable.

Opening Day tomorrow, and Doc Halladay is taking the mound. LET'S GO PHILLIES!

[AG]

I'm stunned that there seems to be near-unanimous animosity about this trade. McNabb is going to be a 34 year old QB with shaky accuracy and a nice deep ball.

In case you all were wondering, we weren't winning a title next year with McNabb. We weren't winning one the year after either. The team around him just isn't good enough...especially since the O-Line is falling apart and the defense is paper-thin.

We have a ton of great value-picks now. Someone wanted the 4th pick...why?! High draft picks are poison in the NFL. A 2nd rounder is more valuable than an early first rounder.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/business/04view.html

I think the Eagles offseason has been very refreshing. It reminds me of the group that took over and built this team well the first go around. I think they realize that they had a squad with some good young talent, but a core that's probably a couple years away from being at their apex. And they came to the conclusion that guys over 30 weren't going to be able to help the core when the core was ready to go for the SB.

I think this is an exceedingly mature trade. And they get to neuter the Redskins for the future? Awesome. Are we really worried about the Redskins? They have Oline issues (allowed 46 sacks last year, tied for 4th most), RB issues (Portis is pretty much done), WR issues (Moss probably isn't a top 30 WR...Cooley is all they have). They have an okay DEF (finished 18th in points allowed...nothing overly special even if Campbell has to take some blame for that).

But really, even if the Redskins are better for the next couple years than the Eagles are, what's the difference? I want to win titles. The Redskins don't have the team to win a title with McNabb. We certainly didn't. If people are getting upset over what order we all don't win at, I guess that's your prerogative.

McNabb was a great QB. At his best, he was a top 5 QB in the league and maybe even top 3. But he's now in the 5-10 range and losing value with each passing second. Getting a 2nd and a 3rd or 4th is a great move. I think the front office will be vindicated in the long run.

And this post is so long I bet no one reads it. Sorry.

[Swift]

Seriously...

Phils > Flyers > Union > Sixers > Eagles

...they just fell four spaces on my list.

[Mike H.]

Where's philly412 and theKriesh with their wisdom???

[ZJ]

hes sucked for years. about time.

[jlamb]

sub .500 football baby! can't wait for the kevin kolb era!

a few days ago the phillies officially overtook the eagles. tonight i'm done living and dying by the birds. i really don't care anymore.

[AdamSchecter]

I hear T.O. is scheduled for a visit in D.C. this week...

[Dan Snyder]

HAPPY EASTER, LADIES!!!!!!

[GAC]

Eagles fan living in DC. Every Skins fan I know is ready to jump off the nearest bridge.

[nussman71]

just when i think this team cant piss me off any worse they go and prove me wrong again. arrogant assholes.

[Jason R.]

McNabb was always great at throwing to a Redskins player with the game on the line, lets see if it continues.

Maybe they really think that he's a terrible, washed-up bum or that the Redskins are more than a QB away from mattering. At least they have the book and know the ins and outs of a starting QB in their division.

I don't get it. I'm trying to look on the bright side, really I am. Good compensation, but everyone (me) said "can't trade him to Minn or an NFC contender because it can bite you" then they go and trade him to a team where he can beat them twice?

What did the Packers get for Favre from the Jets?

[theKrisheim]

Mike Shanahan > Andy Reid

Michael fucking Vick people, Mike fucking Vick

[Dirk Anger]

This team is a frigging joke, especially the front office. Just think that if this organization, from top to bottom, had been in Dallas for the past 12 years instead of here we would have hated them just as much as any Jimmy Johnson team. They're a bunch of arrogant, conceited, condescending assholes who are out for nothing more than making money and talking down to their fans while charging us top dollar for their product. Trading McNabb into our own frigging division for Gods sake??? That's just the last slap in the face i'll take from these pricks.

[Muscles]

All the D has to do is sit on the ground and wait for a worm burner or run 5 yards behind the reciervers for an easy PICK 6!

[Muscles]

Guaranteed 2 wins a season now

[Dubs]

Obviously I'll watch the Birds next season, can't remember the last time I didn't, but really, this is not going to be a good team.

I can't ever remember any team dropping from Super Bowl contender in week 16 (feels like forever ago, but they really were) to a complete dump of all veterens that offseason.

[Wilkes-Barre Sucked]

press conference at 9:30...

[Zeke]

@theKrisheim

What about Mike Vick?

What does he have to do with any of this? He is our backup QB. Explain yourself.

[Mike H.]

@AG - You make a rational, business-oriented, value-driven argument and I tip my cap to you. You would never be mistaken for someone who worships at the feet of Eskin. (Peeeyouuuu...)

I own two sports jerseys related to Philadelphia teams and one is of McNabb. With that said, I knew he was going to go. But I had guessed that the destination would be Oakland, Buffalo, or maybe Chicago. But not within the division, not to a coach with a solid track record in the NFL, and not for the pittance they got in return.

[loctastic]

love the deal, hate that its to Washington. but I'll take it.

[Lynah Faithful]

Well, we are definitely playing for 2012 now, whether the FO admits it or not. And if that is true, why not improve a division rival? That way we finish worse, and get a higher draft pick. Clearly, this is a genius move from the Mensa Men, Reid and Banner

I am pissed they traded him in the division, and I think they should have looked to move McNabb earlier, specifically to Seattle, who might have been willing to give up more for him.

But this team was not close. They weren't close last year either. They have good young skill players on offense, but the O-line needs to improve, and the D has a LOT of issues. It is time to accept some rebuilding, and see what Kolb can do. I am no McNabb hater, but he was past his prime, they were not going to win with him, and if that is the goal- to win the Super Bowl, not just make the playoffs- getting rid of him is absolutely the right move.

[vgp]

This is odd. I remember every time the Eagles lost last year it was because McNabb was too inaccurate and sucked. Now they trade him and the Eagles will definitely suck. Interesting...

The Eagles probably won't win the SB next year but the O will be just fine. I predict a pretty good season for him. The D could be a different story.

I do think this puts Andy on the spot. If Kolb does suck and Donnie is still good, he might have a tough time being employed in a year.

All in all, quit your fucking crying you bitches

[phatty]

Smell ya later McNabb. All aboard the Kolb bandwagon.

[theKrisheim]

@ vgp

+1

[AG]

@Mike H. - Thanks...I think :/

Eskin is a jackass who just says things for reactions. He's an actor...

[Lynah Faithful]

Oh, and I think we can all at least join together in the hopes that if this blows up, which I think there is about a 35% chance it will, Fat Andy will be out of a job.

[Dave]

I think we can all agree that Amy Fadool has nice boobies. That is all.