Donovan McNabb

PHILADELPHIA — Of all the possible landing spots for Donovan McNabb, the Washington Redskins seemed like a longshot.

The Philadelphia Eagles couldn't possibly trade McNabb to a division rival, right? Wrong.

No. 5 will wear burgundy and gold next season.

In a surprise move Sunday night, the Eagles sent McNabb to the Redskins for a second-round pick (37th overall) in this month's NFL draft and either a third- or fourth-round pick next year.

"You can't say that we didn't think about that," Eagles coach Andy Reid said of having to face McNabb twice a year. "We did, but this was a decision that we thought was best for Donovan and, at the same time, the compensation was right for us. We certainly took into consideration Donovan's feelings here, too."

The trade is the boldest move to date for new Redskins coach Mike Shanahan and could spell the end in Washington for Jason Campbell, the starter for 3Z\x seasons. Shanahan already has signed free-agent Rex Grossman as a backup and has been actively scouting the top quarterbacks available in the draft. The Redskins have the No. 4 overall pick.

"I'm really excited about my future with the Washington Redskins," McNabb said in a statement. "I'm eager to work with Coach Shanahan. He's been a very successful coach with a couple of Super Bowl victories on his resume. While it's been my goal to win a Super Bowl in Philadelphia, we came up short. I enjoyed my 11 years here and we shared a lot more good times than bad."

Shanahan can only hope the 33-year-old McNabb works out as well as the last big-time Washington-Philadelphia quarterback deal. The Eagles in 1964 sent Sonny Jurgensen to the Redskins, where he played 11 seasons until he was 40 and became a Hall of Famer.

"These people never learn," Jurgensen told the Redskins' Web site when informed of the trade Sunday night.

McNabb is entering the final year of a contract and it's unknown whether he is negotiating an extension with the Redskins. Reid said the possibility McNabb could refuse to go to another team was not a factor.

"Donovan would've played anywhere because that's the kind of person he is," Reid said. "He's happy to be there."

McNabb, a six-time Pro Bowler, led the Eagles to five NFC championship games and one Super Bowl in 11 seasons in Philadelphia. The emergence of Kevin Kolb, made him expendable.

McNabb leaves as the franchise leader in yards passing (32,873), completions (2,801), attempts (4,746), completion percentage (59.0) and touchdown passes (216). He also rushed for 3,249 yards and 28 TDs.