Donovan McNabb

Head coach Mike Shanahan has named Rex Grossman the Redskins’ starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Grossman starts ahead of Donovan McNabb, who has started every game this season.

“I talked to Donovan [on Thursday] after practice and I told him that once we were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs that I made a decision to start Rex Grossman,” Shanahan said. “I want to get a feel on how Rex runs our offense the next three weeks.

“I also told [McNabb] that the next two weeks following the Dallas game that John Beck would be the backup quarterback so that I can see him in his role.

“What I would like to be able to do is be able to evaluate where we’re at at the quarterback position. I told Donovan that there’s nothing he could do in the final three games that would influence me on what he has done over the last 13 games.

“I told him I was proud of him on that last drive (vs. Tampa Bay last Sunday], 75 yards for the touchdown and that could have put us in position to win that football game. I said, ‘Right now I have to do what is in the best interest of this organization and that’s to get a good feel for where we’re at at the quarterback position.”

McNabb signed a contract extension with the Redskins on Nov. 15, but this week’s benching once again opens the door to speculation about his future in Washington.

Grossman is making his first start since Nov. 9, 2008 when he was a member of the Chicago Bears.

The Redskins are looking towards the future and want to evaluate what they have in Rex Grossman and John Beck. While Santana Moss and Anthony Armstrong could still have a big play or two with Rex Grossman under center, the change makes them much riskier fantasy plays. Like-wise, Chris Cooley and Ryan Torain lose a bit of value. Rex Grossman shouldn't be considered. The lone beneficiary of this move is the Cowboys defense which is now a top 5 option.