The McNabb Trade is Unique

The Eagles-Redskins trade that sent Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins is unique in the history of the National Football League. The trade is fascinating and it is unique for a number of reasons.

Economic Impact

The Eagles and Redskins may have stumbled upon success. The trade will help both teams in terms of their football operations, and most importantly it will help them with their financial situation. This is the first trade in a lifetime in which a superstar was traded in the same division to a major rival. The response in the media has been overwhelming, and the Eagles and Redskins are constantly the topic of conversation. The media will probably continue to analyze this trade for the next five years. This media fascination will increase the value of everything these franchises sell and result in a financial windfall for both teams.

Football Impact

The Eagles are not really rebuilding they are retooling. They have a number of quality players and they will be competitive next year and may even make the playoffs again. However, they must be the first team to begin a retooling effort by trading away a Hall of Fame quarterback. McNabb and his passing game practically carried the Eagles into the playoffs. The Eagles lost in the playoffs because of their performance at the line of scrimmage. They could not run the football, protect their quarterback, or stop the run. By trading McNabb the Eagles are getting rid of their strength but they are addressing their glaring weakness. They get more draft picks to obtain a new generation of linemen to get to the Superbowl. Now, they must draft these linemen and hope that their new quarterback, Kevin Kolb can lead them to the Superbowl.

For the Redskins, this is an example of history repeating itself, as the Redskins have a long history of trading draft picks for veterans. This trade is different.

History is also repeating itself in the career of new head coach Mike Shanahan. When Shanahan became the head coach of the Denver Broncos he had a Hall of Fame quarterback in John Elway who had never won a Superbowl. He carried the team on his back with his passing game, but always lost in the playoffs. Shanahan came in and developed a running game and dramatically improved the defense. This resulted in two victories in the Superbowl.

This situation is identical with the Washington Redskins. They now have a Hall of Fame quarterback who has never won a Superbowl. Shanahan is beginning to develop his running game and has brought in two established running backs, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker. Will history repeat itself with the Redskins winning a couple of Superbowls with McNabb at quarterback? Only time will tell. One thing is certain. The media and the world will be fascinated by this story and the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles will make a lot of money.