One question a lot NFL executives and fans are asking themselves is, if Donovan McNabb were to be traded this off season what teams in the league would be interested.
The teams interested in a 33 year old, five-time Pro Bowl quarterback who has been able to lead his team to the playoffs year in and year out, would have to be in position to make a Super Bowl run themselves.
They would have to have all or most of the other pieces in place to make a run. A young team that is just starting to rebuild would have no need in a veteran like McNabb.
So with that reasoning in mind, I took a close look at which teams might be interested. I found four of them but they’re all in the NFC.
The Minnesota Vikings have everything in place to make another run at a Super Bowl next year if Brett Favre decides to retire.
They have the running game in Adrian Peterson. McNabb wouldn’t have to throw the ball 35 or 40 times a game.
They have an outstanding receivers corps in Sidney Rice, Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin, along with Visanthe Shiancoe at tight end.
You saw what their defense did to Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys. The defensive line is one of the best in the game and they’re going to be getting their middle linebacker, E.J. Henderson back.
The Vikes would be a perfect spot for McNabb is Favre retires, plus Brad Childress loves the way McNabb takes care of the football.
The Arizona Cardinals might be a place where McNabb could land if veteran signal caller Kurt Warner hangs it up.
McNabb would be throwing to one of the best combos in the league, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Their defense seems to come through at the right time and they run the fairly well.
Another NFC west team which is could see in the running would be San Francisco.
Head coach Mike Singletary has a young, attacking defense which is led by the best middle linebacker in the business, Patrick Willis.
They also have an outstanding ground game with Pro Bowl running back in Frank Gore carrying the load.
Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis is coming into his own and rookie wide receiver, Michael Crabtree could develop into a great one.
They could use a top flight veteran receiver, but other than that they’re ready to go with somebody like McNabb at the helm.
Finally the Carolina Panthers who have all the pieces in place but are stuck with Jake Delhomme at the quarterback spot would be a team which could use McNabb.
The Panthers have a great running game with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. McNabb wouldn’t have to carry the load.
They also have one of the best receivers in the game, Steve Smith. McNabb would be able to run a play action pass fake and have all day to throw the ball deep.
Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers leads a good but not great defense.
There are AFC teams like Jacksonville, Buffalo and Oakland, which might have interest in McNabb but they’re no where near as far along as the NFC teams.
That leaves us with another question. Would the Eagles trade him in the conference?
