Redskins Drafting a Quarterback Could End Donovan McNabb Era Early

Now almost two and a half weeks removed from the deal that sent Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins, the Redskins new starting quarterback still has not signed an extension, nor have their been any substantive talks.

When a marquee player like McNabb is traded, it is usually followed by a hefty extension. However, with nothing happening, questions are beginning to arise as to whether or not McNabb actually wants to be in Washington, and whether or not he has any real plans of staying there past 2010.

And now, according to several league sources, the Redskins are seriously considering taking a quarterback with the fourth overall pick in this Thursday’s draft, rather than addressing one of their several obvious needs.

If that happens, talks between McNabb and the Redskins could shut down completely, if they’ve ever actually started.

McNabb would likely be infuriated by the move, though he’d never say it publicly. The man is as classy as they come and will do everything he can to help the Redskins win in 2010, but he would likely not want another young guy looking over his shoulder just waiting for the opportunity to take his job from him.

And if the Redskins were to take a quarterback at fourth overall — either Sam Bradford (if he slips) or Jimmy Clausen (if they reach) — they would have no choice but to start him as soon as possible because of the investment in that guy.

However, this could also be nothing more than a smokescreen. If they make other teams looking to draft a quarterback — like the Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, or even perhaps the Denver Broncos — think they will grab the guy they want, it could create a bidding war and a hefty payout for the Redskins.

That’s the more likely scenario, but never put anything past the Redskins. The word around Washington, D.C. is that Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen are running the show, but who’s to stay how true that is. Danny Snyder has never been able to keep his know-nothing nose out of it over the past 11 years, so it’s a bit difficult to believe he will do it now.

There’s never any way to know what the Redskins (or any team, for that matter) are thinking, but it’s safe to assume that if they draft a quarterback early, they will have traded away a second-round pick (along with a third or fourth) to lease McNabb for one season.