Minnesota Vikings: Lack of Extension to Antoine Winfield Not Surprising

Many voiced their concerns as the Vikings and veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield reached an impasse with contract talks. Understandably so. But after a look at the big picture, it's not the least bit surprising.

After the whole deal with six-time Pro Bowl center Matt Birk and veteran safety Darren Sharper, it's pretty clear the Minnesota Vikings are not letting 2008 Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield get away.

So what's taking them? Why would there be an impasse if Antoine wants to stay and the Vikings want him back?

Easy. The name that has tortured Minnesota fans since the thought came that he would come out of retirement to play for the purple: Brett Favre.

Obviously, the Vikings have enough cap space—at the moment—to sign Favre to a contract. Now try and add in a contract extension which includes guarantees to Antoine Winfield into the mix and it begins to look foggy.

It's doesn't add up to well as far as salary cap is concerned considering Minnesota is known for keeping a few million under the cap for a "security blanket" for a possible midseason pick up or two.

Coming off a career year with 95 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles (both recovered by him, one returned for a touchdown) and blocked kick recovery returned for a touchdown, Antoine is considered one the top cornerbacks in the league.

Especially with the departure of Darren Sharper, the Vikings almost need Winfield's veteran leadership to balance a young secondary.

Minnesota's Tampa Two defense thrives with a cornerback like Antoine in the mix with speed and physical hitting and not to mention the 11th-year corner hasn't lost a step. In complete fairness, he is the one vet left on the defense since arriving in Minnesota in 2004.

During a press conference on Thursday this past week, Brad Childress announced that he "wasn't worried that no plan was made yet." And understandably so. Until the Brett Favre scenario settles, there is no reason to worry. 

Childress also admitted that he would have liked to "have that deal done yesterday" but acknowledged the back-and-forth nature of such negotiations. It seems however, that the Vikings want to know how much it'll take to get Favre before they commit dimes and quarters to Winfield.

It's unclear, however, how much Brett would want for a one or two year deal with the purple (assuming he signs). Word has it he could want as low as $3 million to as high as $10 million. With Favre, you could never tell.

If he makes it to week one with no extension in sight, that's when red flags should be flying. With the Favre situation at the point long since over, the Vikings should have no considerable obstacles to signing Winfield to career-ending contract in Minnesota.

Antoine is set to become free agent after the 2009-2010 season. He's a one time Pro Bowler with 20 career interceptions and three career sacks in his 10 years in the NFL.