Vikings cut ties with McNabb
The former Eagles signal-caller said he asked for his release. What's next?
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Donovan McNabb is available again.
The Minnesota Vikings waived the former Eagles quarterback on Thursday, giving him the opportunity to sign with another team for the stretch run in a parting coach Leslie Frazier described as mutual.
McNabb, though, said during an NFL Network interview Thursday night that the decision was his.
"I definitely asked for my release," McNabb told the network. "There is no idea of where the next destination is. I think the most important thing was for me, first and foremost, to do what was best not only for me but for my family, and secondly, getting away from things to get ready for the next chapter in the book. And I'm very excited to have the opportunity. I look forward to the next step."
Frazier pushed for the Vikings to trade a sixth-round draft pick this summer to the Washington Redskins for the 13-year veteran. He believed McNabb would bring stability to the Vikings offense after the NFL lockout kept rookie Christian Ponder from practicing with the team or working with his coaches until training camp.
Frazier and McNabb met in 1999, when the defensive- backs coach and the first-round draft pick spent their first year with the Eagles. Friendly to the end, Frazier wished McNabb well and said part of the reason for the move was for the player's sake.
"This was the best decision for both parties," Frazier said. "He was a great player and has been a great player for our league for a long, long time. Have a lot of affection and love for Donovan."
McNabb went 1-5 as a starter, threw only four touchdowns, and completed just five passes of 25-plus yards.
Frazier said he didn't regret the trade given the situation the Vikings were in during the summer. He said he believes McNabb can still play in the NFL, but he stopped short of saying he can be an effective starter.
"I'm not certain about that. ... A lot depends on the team he goes to, if he goes to another team," Frazier said.
McNabb was benched in favor of Ponder in the fourth quarter of Minnesota's game at Chicago on Oct. 16 and hasn't played since. Frazier said he was a help to Ponder and Joe Webb in their learning process and described McNabb's attitude as "awesome" over the last few weeks.
McNabb was in the locker room, seen rather innocuously asking running back Adrian Peterson to autograph a jersey. But he was gone by the time practice began.
"Sometimes it is hard finding the pieces that you definitely need," McNabb said of finding the right team. "Obviously, when it comes to guys [my] age and what we do, a strong defense, a running game, and some talent on the outside, and most important has got to be camaraderie."
McNabb enjoyed an 11-year run as the Eagles starter, going to the Super Bowl after the 2004 season and becoming a fixture in the playoffs. But after he was traded by his longtime team, McNabb had a rough year with the Redskins in 2010. He got benched there, too.