Mike Shanahan said Jason Campbell would be welcomed back — as a backup of course. But we’re not buying that Campbell will be with the Redskins come training camp. Or maybe even June.
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The Redskins have given Campbell permission to seek a trade and there’s no doubt they’d like something to happen before the NFL Draft, which begins April 22. Ideally, they’d like to add a draft pick; they only have four after the trade for Donovan McNabb.
According to several NFL executives, they doubt Campbell would fetch more than a fifth-round pick in return. Though one executive liked him, the problem with Campbell is that he’ll be on a one-year contract and has not proven he can take a team to the playoffs. Regardless of what the reasons are, that’s the bottom line.
One team already is eyeing him — they haven’t talked to the Redskins — but only in a backup role. Several teams that wanted quarterbacks last year passed on Campbell.
Earlier this offseason, one veteran player predicted Campbell would be gone.
“They’ll hold onto him to see if he makes improvements,” the player predicted. “But i can’t see them keeping him… He’s been beaten to a pulp. Let him go and shop.”
The question is, what team would trade for him? Oakland, Carolina and Buffalo all have needs at this position. Jacksonville reportedly has no interest (it’s uncertain if these other teams do, either; one Buffalo insider doubted the Bills had much).
Shanahan said Campbell would be welcomed back as backup.
“He’s got the opportunity to come back here,” he said. “He may look out there and say he’d like to come back here and back up.”
In other words, he may see that no one wants him as a starter right now. Shanahan said they won’t release him, but we would expect him to say that. Why tell other teams that’s what you intend to do? Unless they think there’s a decent market for him.
Though Campbell is now keeping a low profile, it’s hard to imagine he’d want to return as a backup. If he does, it’s not by choice.
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