From Green to Burgundy: McNabb's a Redskin

McNabb: "I'm really excited about my future with the Washington Redskins"

The Donovan McNabb sweepstakes is over with a division rival the victor.

The Eagles long-time signal caller is headed to the Birds’ NFC East rival Redskins.

"I'm really excited about my future with the Washington Redskins," McNabb told NBCPhiladelphia's John Clark.


What do you think of the McNabb trade and the timing of it all?


The Birds will get the Skins' second-round draft pick (No. 37 overall) and a third or fourth rounder in 2011, according to the Eagles. The 2011 pick is contingent on McNabb's performance in D.C. and how the Skins finish in the division, according to ESPN's Sal Paolantonio.

“This was a very tough decision,” said Eagles head coach Andy Reid who parted with the first player he ever drafted when he picked McNabb No. 2 in the 1999 NFL Draft.

"I will always wish Donovan the best of luck with the exception of two weeks during the year," Reid said at a Sunday night press conference.

McNabb finishes as the Eagles’ all-time leader in passing yards, touchdown passes, pass attempts and completions.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter shocked fans when he first broke the story on Twitter and during ESPN's Sunday Night baseball opener.

A few draft picks for a possible future Hall of Famer seemed a bit light, but after nearly two weeks of McNabb speculation it was probably the best Philly could do. Earlier rumors had McNabb landing everywhere from St. Louis to Oakland after Reid told a reporter that he was entertaining trade offers for all his QBs.

Eagles owner Jeffrey  Lurie summed up what the winningest QB in his franchise's history meant to the City of Brotherly Love.

“McNabb was more than a franchise quarterback for this team,” said Lurie. “He truly embodied all of the attributes of a great quarterback and of a great person."

"He has been an excellent representative of this organization and the entire National Football League both on and off the field. I look forward to honoring him as of the greatest Eagles of all-time and hopefully see in enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton one day. I wish Donovan and his beautiful family great health and joy for many, many years to come.”

McNabb, a six-time Pro Bowler, will be trying to do his best John Elway impersonation with Elway's former coach Mike Shanahan leading the Skins. Can the 33-year-old McNabb pull an Elway and win his first Super Bowl later in his career? We'll find out.

"I am eager to work with Mike Shanahan. He's been a very successful coach, with a couple Super Bowl victories on his resume," McNabb said.

It's unclear what the Skins will do with likely former starting quarterback Jason Campbell.

Now that McNabb is gone, the Eagles can't deny that they are rebuilding for the future. Only four players (center Jamaal Jackson, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, safety Quintin Mikell and kicker David Akers) who were with the Birds during their 2005 Super Bowl loss to New England remain listed on the Eagles' roster.

D-Mac's failure to lead the Birds to their first NFL championship since 1940 plus the emergence of Kevin Kolb made him expendable.

Kolb, who started two games last season, becomes the starter. Michael Vick is the backup.

“Donovan is the ultimate professional,” said Eagles president Joe Banner. “He has an incredible work ethic and has been an integral part of our success. Over the years, Donovan has always carried himself with a great deal of dignity."

"While it has been my goal to win a Super Bowl in Philadelphia, we came up short," said McNabb. "I enjoyed my 11 years and know that we shared a lot more good times than bad."

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