Outside of Lebron’s “The Decision”, there’s been one other pressing decision that can change the forefront of the NFC; Will Brett Favre really come back?
Initially, I believe everyone expects Favre to return under center for Minnesota this year. His offseason workouts with the high-school team in Hattiesburg, The comments about wanting another crack at the SuperBowl winning New Orleans Saints who beat them in the NFC Championship game, the offseason ankle surgery, all these signs were pointing towards the same idea:
Brett Favre will return for another season to try and lead Minnesota to the promised land.
Recently, ESPN has come out and stated from multiple sources that Brett Favre has told his teammates “This is it” and that he’s stated to the Vikings brass that he’s hanging it up and calling it a career. Conflicting reports have come out directly behind them from NFL’s Total Access by Favre’s former Packers QB Coach Steve Marriuci saying he’s spoken with Favre directly and he’s not sure where the reports are coming from.
So the question becomes, which is it? Will he come back? Will he retire? If Favre did not say he was going to retire, then who said this and where are these “sources” that are stating this information? Well, most likely no one will know who this mysterious source is, but one thing I’d be willing to wager on: Brett Favre will be under center by Week 1 “if” his ankle will let him. If he’s physically not able to play, I don’t believe he will try. But this is Favre we are talking about, the modern day Iron-Man. The sheer feat of being under center for 286 straight games is a record that won’t be broken for a long time, if ever.
Look at this from the perspective of the Vikings. Prior to acquiring the 40 year old QB, this team was scraping to be 10-6 with a good defense, great run game, and absolutely stagnant game plan. When Favre came in, he made this offense much more versatile and gave them the ability to above their opponents, not just through them. Coach Childress was criticized by many for being too predictable and boring, trying not to lose games instead of winning them. Favre’s experience and creativity was such a warm welcome in Minnesota, it almost started to thaw the ice that sat on top of the Metrodome for so long. Along with what he brought to the Twin Cities area, he made the NFC much more competitive. If Favre removes himself from the game, he basically pulls Minnesota out of the front of the race for the trophy.
Just announced this morning, Minnesota has offered Brett an additional $3 million with additional incentives that can escalate an additional $4 million on top of his $13 million salary, all guaranteed. Think about that, Brett can make $20 million this season by having another stellar season like he had last year. Not saying money is his motivating factor, but that’s a large attraction that any athlete would look at, regardless who you are.
The Vikings were 1 game away from the Superbowl, and I don’t think that anyone on that roster feels that they are far away from it again. Minnesota is considered the front-runner for the Superbowl this year as well. They’re loaded on offense, with Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, All Day AP, Vishante Shiancoe, and one of the best offensive lines in the game. Defensively, they’re absolutely loaded all around. If Favre wanted to go out on the top note with a 2nd Lombardi Trophy to raise, this would be the season to do it.
I don’t think anyone expects Favre to bow out, yet. It seems like he’s chasing that story-book season to finally walk away from the game, similar to how his good friend Michael Strahan did in 2007. If Brett can play, Brett will play. I can’t see him walking away from such a team that they’ve built in Minneapolis. He’s got every weapon he could ever need. He’s said it himself, “This is the best team I’ve ever been on”. Wait until around week 3 of the preseason to make a real decision on whether you think Favre will be there. Do I think that he’ll be under center week 1? You Brettcha.
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