Brett Favre: How His $28 Million Pay Day Could Sink the Vikings in 2010

With the report today that Brett Favre will be paid the hefty sum of $28 million for his services this year, even after the circus he created and the torment he put the Vikings and their fans through, the question needs to be asked, how could this all go horribly wrong?

There are plenty of ways, but here are the top ten things that could doom the Vikings this year thanks to Brett Favre.

#10: Finances Are Tied Up

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SAN FRANCISCO - AUGUST 22: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before their preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on August 22, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

While this may be an uncapped year, every team has a budget and the Vikings are no exception. Throwing that much money at one player for one year (even though eight of the 28 are from last year) could tie Minnesota's hands a bit if they were to lose a couple players to injury.

If Minnesota does make any signings this year, expect them to be veteran minimum deals.

#9: Fans Become Disinterested

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: A fan of the Minnesota Vikings looks on dejected against the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisiana Superdome on January 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won 31-28. (Photo by Ronald Ma

Every player wants to play for a fanbase they feel appreciates the team and has a bond with the city. There's a reason there was so much energy around the Saints in recent years. There's a certain relationship between the team and the city that isn't found everywhere.

With Favre drama being the only talk about Minnesota, some fans could get tired of the circus and walk away. If fans are abandoning the team, it won't do great for the morale of the Vikings.

#8: The Media Spotlight Becomes Too Much

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EDEN PRAIRIE, MN - AUGUST 18: Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre addresses the media at a press conference after the first morning practice since returning to Vikings Winter Park on August 18, 2010 in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Favre injured his ankl

Sometimes too much media attention can be a bad thing. The Vikings were able to overcome it this past year, but it could be too much to bear for the team this year.

Things got frosty with Favre and coach Brad Childress last year. If the two clash again, players could get sick and tired of answering the same questions time and time again. It could be easy for Minnesota to lose focus and slip up.

#7: Loss of Respect

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SAN FRANCISCO - AUGUST 22: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings talks to his team in the huddle during their preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on August 22, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty

If a team is going to be successful and win a championship, they have to respect who they have to play for. Who could respect Brad Childress? He's gone back on his word about Favre repeatedly and bent over backwards to try and get him to play this year.

He wouldn't do that for most of the players on that roster and who could respect a coach who puts one player above the team? I know I don't.

#6: Lack of Chemistry

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SAN FRANCISCO - AUGUST 22: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings leaves the field at halftime with Everson Griffen #97 during their preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on August 22, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Ph

While Favre may have had a meeting with the team saying how important the team was to him, his actions have spoken differently.

He should have been in camp to build a bond with the team, especially after the reputation he's gotten in recent years. Favre is separate from the team at this point and chemistry could be an issue for the Vikings. You can fake that for only so long and this year could be the tipping point.

#5: Stadium Circus

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MINNEAPOLIS - JANUARY 17: The Minnesotd Vikings cheerleaders enter the field before the game against #the Dallas Cowboys during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on January 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings def

If there's one thing the Vikings want other than a Super Bowl victory, it's a new stadium. The lease on the Metrodome runs through 2011 and the Vikings want a new one -- and they want it financed at least partially by the community.

Throwing $28 million at one player is a good way to raise a few eyebrows with local officials and start a debate over the stadium funding. That's the last thing a team with enough storylines needs.

#4: Other Players Want Their Payday

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SAN FRANCISCO - AUGUST 22: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball during their preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on August 22, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

It's an uncapped year, why shouldn't Adrian Peterson want to get paid? He's just as valuable to the team as Favre and you haven't heard a single word from him. He's gone about his business like a professional and done what it takes to help the team improve.

But what if some major Vikings decide it's time for them to get paid. Holdouts and contract drama could really complicate things and undermine the season.

#3: Bad Brett Returns

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings walks off the field after the Vikings lost to the New Orleans Saints 31-28 in overtime during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisiana Superdome on January 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louis

$28 million could go right down the drain if Favre struggles like he did at times in Green Bay and down the stretch with the Jets.

The Vikings have overcome poor quarterback play in the past, but none of it comes with the baggage that Favre's poor play will.

#2: Vikings Struggle Early

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikingswalks off of the field after losing against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship Game at the Louisiana Superdome on January 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jed Jaco

Say the Vikings lose their first two games. That's when the pressure gets ratcheted up. This team has Super Bowl expectations. Anything less is a total failure.

If Minnesota doesn't live up to expectations, a media circus and increased pressure from ownership and the fanbase could make any differences among the team into major issues and sink the season.

#1: Animosity

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: Cedric Griffin #23 of the Minnesota Vikings walks on the field dejected against the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisiana Superdome on January 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won 31

Vikings players can't be happy about the way this offseason played out. They've all taken a backseat to Favre like they did last year. Athletes want respect and they've gotten none from the coaching staff and the management.

If there are any deep-seated issues among the team, they could come to the surface behind the scenes. Even if three Vikings went to get Favre at his home, if I were Tarvaris Jackson, I wouldn't be happy and I'd make it known. If he does, watch out.