Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, the man who perhaps controls the future of Donovan McNabb more than anyone else, will meet with the agent for the quarterback soon.
Jason Reid of the Washington Post reports that Shanahan and Fletcher Smith will get together soon with a goal of resolving the issue surrounding McNabb, who many believe will be released by the organization after a bizarre season in which he was pulled late in a game at Detroit and then benched for the final three games.
Per Reid, both sides would like to move forward as soon as possible. It’s difficult to envision how McNabb would possibly agree to move forward with Mike Shanahan and his son Kyle Shanahan, the team’s offensive coordinator, even though’s he’s said he’s open to a return.
Smith has ripped the team and said that McNabb could not trust the Shanahans. The Redskins surely don’t want to pay McNabb $16.25 million guaranteed, which he’s owed if he’s on the roster at the start of next season. After trading draft picks to acquire him, Shanahan and the Redskins certainly would like something in return for the six-time Pro Bowl performer. So as Reid suggests, the Redskins could grant McNabb permission to seek a trade and they would likely have to restructure the contract to successfully make an exit.
Stay tuned. A meeting is the first step toward an amicable parting.
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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune