Redskins ship McNabb to Vikings
Donovan McNabb’s time in Washington is over after only a year.
The Minnesota Vikings acquired the veteran quarterback from the Redskins on Wednesday night in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick.
The deal gives the Vikings a six-time Pro Bowler who will play until first-round draft choice Christian Ponder is ready to take over. The deal also includes a conditional sixth-round pick in 2013.
McNabb will have to restructure the five-year, $78 million deal he signed with the Redskins because the Vikings don’t have enough room to fit him in their salary cap.
McNabb’s departure closes the book on coach Mike Shanahan’s first major Redskins gaffe. He gave up second- and fourth-round draft picks for McNabb last year but ended up benching him for the final three games of a 6-10 season.
Two days after the lockout ended, NFL teams are making deals at a frantic pace, with some big names changing addresses, and others staying put.
Not going anywhere is New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin, who signed a one-year extension that keeps him with the team through 2012.
Also remaining in the New York area will be Santonio Holmes, who will continue to be a big benefit to Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez.
Free agents aren’t allowed to sign contracts until Friday.
In other moves:
• DeAngelo Williams, the Panthers’ career rushing leader, agreed to remain in Carolina. Williams’ 2010 season was cut short by a right foot injury. He rushed for 361 yards and one touchdown. He had his best pro season in 2008, rushing for a team-record 1,515 yards, 18 touchdowns and a 5.5-yard average.
In perhaps the wildest day of transactions in franchise history, linebackers James Anderson and Thomas Davis agreed to five-year contracts. Also agreeing to terms were seven free agents, including kicker Olindo Mare, formerly with Seattle.
• Place-kicker Adam Vinatieri agreed to a three-year contract with Indianapolis. The 38-year-old Vinatieri is one of seven players in league history to score 500 or more points for two teams (Patriots, Colts). He is headed into his 15th NFL season.
• Cleveland will release quarterback Jake Delhomme today. He was 2-2 as a starter in 2010, but Colt McCoy has that job this year. Delhomme was scheduled to make $5.4 million in base salary.
• Cincinnati reached an agreement with Bruce Gradkowski, who knows the team’s new offensive system and will help develop rookie Andy Dalton. The 28-year-old quarterback was in Tampa from 2008-09 with Jay Gruden, the Bengals’ new offensive coordinator.
• Minnesota and kicker Ryan Longwell agreed to terms on a four-year deal. The 36-year-old Longwell went 17 for 18 on field goals and 30 for 31 on extra points last season.
• Safety Eric Weddle agreed on a five-year, $40 million deal with San Diego with $19 million guaranteed. He is due $14 million this year, including a $13 million signing bonus.
• Receiver Brandon Stokley, 35, agreed to a one-year contract with Washington, which also traded with Denver for wideout Jabar Gaffney and agreed to terms with receiver Donte’ Stallworth.