Favre back for his final season, then what?
Okay, so we know how badly the Minnesota Vikings wanted Brett Favre. They waited 8 months to get an answer from him and they did everything they possibly could the last couple of years to ensure they got him.
He’s coming back for what will presumably be his final season, as his contract expires after this season. The goal is for him to come in this year and take the Vikings to the Super Bowl and make their 50th season a memorable one with their first Super Bowl title. That is the reason they brought him in, to win it all now while they can. If this works out, then great; if it doesn’t and Favre leaves for the final time, then what does the future hold in Minnesota?
Tavaris Jackson is also in the final year of his contract. Jackson cannot be happy with how the organization feels about him. They’ve illustrated what little faith they have in Jackson by trying so hard to land a 40-year-old quarterback two seasons in a row. Granted Brett Favre is no ordinary 40-year-old quarterback and many teams would likely take Favre over Jackson. Jackson probably understands that but he still shouldn’t feel good about his future in Minnesota. How could Jackson trust that the Vikings have faith in him after brushing him aside the past two seasons?
Next year, the free agent market may be enhanced at quarterback. Quarterbacks in the final year of their contracts include Donovan McNabb, Matt Hasselbeck, Michael Vick and Kerry Collins. As a side note, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are in the final year of their contracts, but don’t expect them to hit the free agent market.
Jackson signed his restricted free agent tender this off-season and would probably replace Favre if Favre cannot finish the season, but he can’t feel secure in the fact that he’d be their future. The Vikings are stacked with talent and want to win now, which would not rule out the team exploring other options next year.
Drafting a quarterback is a possibility but with a good record this season, they likely won’t be able to draft an elite passer. Rebuilding would not make sense as the team is so talented and has several players in their prime, including Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen, Steve Hutchinson, Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin. The team has a chance to win it all now, but they need a great quarterback to do so.
If Favre stays healthy all year, then Jackson will sit out a second straight season as the backup. That would diminish his value in the free agent market and may only land him as a backup. Some teams may be willing to add him and may give him a higher offer than the Vikings would. Some teams still have questions at starting quarterback and may be looking for new quarterbacks next year. Those teams include Cleveland, Buffalo, Oakland, Arizona and Jacksonville.
Tavaris Jackson has retained a very professional attitude throughout this whole ordeal. He understands that Favre can bring the Vikings a Super Bowl ring and he has waited patiently and has been eager to learn. He’s the unquestionable back-up as Sage Rosenfels has not made a strong impression with the Vikings and his future may be very short in Minnesota. If the Vikings truly believe in Jackson, they’ll have to show it at some point.
This season can really be a make-it or break-it season for the Vikings. If they win it all, then fans and the organization may be willing to face the question marks that will come after the season. A Super Bowl makes it easier to deal with headaches. If they don’t, then a ton of questions will face this team and their window of opportunity for winning a championship will close very fast.
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