Shanahan, McNabb's agent clear the air, but QB still wants out

Donovan McNabb still wants to play somewhere other than Washington, according to a league source.

While Redskins coach Mike Shanahan met with McNabb's agent, Fletcher Smith, this week for 90 minutes, that conversation did not change McNabb's thoughts about the future.

The Redskins have made it clear through their actions of the past several months that McNabb will not be their starting QB in 2011, and McNabb wants the chance to start elsewhere. Shanahan's meeting with Smith was civil, according to the source, with Shanahan explaining to Smith why he made certain statements about McNabb during the season, and why he was ultimately benched.

"I thought it was a good initial conversation," Shanahan said at the NFL Scouting Combine, adding that he hasn't spoken directly with McNabb since the end of the season.

Shanahan would not commit to releasing McNabb now, as he wants, and Shanahan told the media Friday that the team will wait until after the draft to make a decision on McNabb's future. McNabb has a $10 million bonus due at the start of the regular season and it is a widely-held belief around the NFL that they will not pick up that option. Trading McNabb for any real value will be difficult considering how poorly 2010 went for him and given the fact no other team would be eager to have to assume that hefty bonus.

So the Redskins ultimately might have to release him. Several other teams have released veteran players recently to allow them to hit the market now and sign with teams before March 4, if they like. The Redskins have given McNabb no indication they are willing to do so for him.

The odds of McNabb playing in Washington in 2011 remain bleak.