McNabb goes unclaimed, becomes free agent

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Donovan McNabb is a free agent after the 13-year veteran was unclaimed by the waiver deadline Friday afternoon.

The Minnesota Vikings granted McNabb's request to be cut on Thursday, ending a disappointing 11-week run in purple. McNabb was 1-5 as a starter in Minnesota before the Vikings benched him for rookie Christian Ponder.

McNabb asked for his release in hopes that he could catch on with a team that would give him a chance to play in the final five weeks.

His hometown Chicago Bears were one possibility. The Bears lost starter Jay Cutler to a broken thumb two weeks ago, but have decided to stick with Caleb Hanie as the starter in hopes that he can keep the team in playoff contention while Cutler recovers.