Brett Favre Retires! The Minnesota Vikings Are Still a Contender

The Minnesota Vikings are still a Super Bowl contender despite the alleged retirement of legendary quarterback Brett Favre.

Favre has not officially confirmed the news on his retirement, but according to multiple reports he has called it quits for a third time.

"I'm not a big hearsay person," said Head Coach Brad Childress. "I have to hear it from the horse's mouth."

The training camp saga continues. Vikings training camp is underway and Favre is a hold out yet again, but this time for good. The players and front office can now prepare for football without the reports of Favre playing looming in the shadows.

Though Favre has changed his mind numerous times in the past, if his retirement holds true how successful will the Vikings be this season?

I believe the reigning NFC North Champions who made it to the NFC Championship game just one year ago will still be a Super Bowl contender.

People might have forgotten that just two years ago the Vikings made the playoffs with a struggling Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback. Yes, they lost to the Eagles 26-14 in the NFC Wild Card game, but that was then and this is now.

Jackson is a much improved quarterback from watching Favre from the sideline as his backup, not to mention the offensive powers of 1,300 yard rusher Adrian Peterson and and a go to receiver in Sidney Rice who caught 83 receptions for 1,312 yards last season.

The Vikings also have added Toby Gerhart from Stanford through the draft to replace Chester Taylor and can compliment Peterson. They still have Percy Harvin who is one of the most explosive receivers/returners in the league.

The defense is still one of the strongest in the NFL, that is one thing that does not change despite Favre's departure. They ranked second a year ago in stopping the run and I look forward to the same success in 2010.

If Jackson can keep the turnovers to a minimum and Peterson can hold onto the ball, the Vikings have as good of a shot as any to win the North and compete for the Super Bowl.