Brett Favre Retires: Minnesota Vikings Want Him Back, Ready To Move On

The loss of Brett Favre will be a huge blow to the Minnesota Vikings.

However, it isn't the end of the world, and the Vikings are ready for life without him. 

The knee jerk reactions around the sports world are always some of the most entertaining from both fans and media.

Honestly, the loss of Favre doesn't change much in Minneapolis, the NFC North, or in the NFL at large.

Who is Brett Favre?

Don't misunderstand the situation. Favre was near perfect in 2009 and the Minnesota Vikings (like any NFL team) would love to have a near-perfect QB under center heading into a season. Favre was second in the league in passer rating and touchdowns, third in completion percentage, and ninth in yards.

Yet, Favre's on-the-field impact falls short of all of the other things he does.

Brett Favre is a leader, a competitor, and role model. Favre's presence makes his teammates better simply by being around. Plenty of Vikings fans will provide anecdotal evidence of times when another quarterback may have folded under pressure and Favre shined.

Greg Lewis in the back of the end zone?

Tarvaris Jackson doesn't make that throw. He can, but he doesn't. That isn't Jackson. That isn't Sage Rosenfels. That isn't a lot of quarterbacks.

That is Brett Favre.

He is who we thought he is.

So, if Favre isn't stringing the world along just one more time and is really done, the Vikings are going to suffer.

It isn't the end of the world.

Tarvaris Jackson isn't Brett Favre, and that is ok.

Who is Tarvaris Jackson?

Tarvaris Jackson is a 27-year-old, athletic, strong-armed quarterback, who was a developmental prospect out of Alabama State. He was forced into action far too early, but has a lot of football ahead of him.

At 27, he is entering the prime of his career and is still a high upside guy.

While many NFL teams wouldn't clamor or trade for Jackson himself, most would absolutely love a guy like him on the roster. When you factor in his experience, it gets even better. His four games at the end of 2008 were a clinic in the West Coast Offense.

Only one active quarterback in the NFL could have better run the Vikings following that four game stretch.

The Vikings brought that quarterback in.

In 2009, the Vikings were not done with Jackson, they simply had a better option.

It wasn't an indictment of Jackson.

It was an assessment of one of the leagues all-time best quarterbacks.

Yet, it's not all sunshine and puppy dogs for the back up QB. He needs to put more than four games together. He needs to take less chances and capitalize when he takes them. He needs to trust his arm and the offense. He needs to win his teammates over and be a leader.

2010 is the perfect opportunity.

Things Could Be Worse

Many will clamor that Favre should have retired immediately.

That would have given the Vikings a chance to asses the quarterback position prior to the draft, maybe grab a second rounder. Maybe the Vikings could have gone a different route—brought in Marc Bulger or Jason Campbell.

Most likely however, is that the Vikings might have mortgaged their future on Donovan McNabb.

Should the Vikings have traded the draft picks that netted Chris Cook or Toby Gerhart for Donovan McNabb? Would it have been wise for the team to continue down the road of immediacy at the quarterback position when the rest of the roster begs for a long-term under center?

The Vikings have age at key spots but are in the process of the youth movement. Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice are bonafide stars in the making. Phil Loadholt excelled at right tackle in 2009 and could move to the left side without a huge drop off. Jared Allen and Kevin Williams are both on the right side of 30.

If the Vikings would have gone after McNabb, the quarterback position would have stalled for three to four more years. The team could have won an extra playoff game or two. Meanwhile, when a long-term answer may have been in place—in 2013 or later, veterans like Williams, Allen, et al. wouldn't want to stick around.

The Vikings could have gone down that road.

But, for the indecision of Brett Favre, they would have.

It would have been a long-term gamble for short-term possible gain.

It would have been a bad move.

One Last Chance

If Jackson fails in 2010, those calls against Favre and the Vikings (for their lack of foresight) will increase all the more.

Why?

Why not give Jackson one last chance with one of the most talented rosters in the NFL?

An average quarterback could fall into 10 wins and a wildcard berth with this team. An average quarterback could hand off to Adrian Peterson and let him run for five yards. An average quarterback can take advantage of eight in the box and complete easy timing routes.

Right now, Jackson is already an average quarterback. He has the chance to be so much more.

If he fails, if the Vikings are unable to take that next step with him at quarterback, 2011 has a good quarterback draft class and the Vikings can then make the decision to draft or trade for a signal caller.

Still, even if he falls, even if Rosenfels needs to step in and fails, it's a nine or ten win season.

What is lost?

A low risk gamble was taken and the Vikings have continued to improve the youth and the talent of the roster.

If Jackson succeeds, it will be a huge gain, much bigger than sticking the car in neutral and coasting into another division championship.

Where Does This Put the Vikings in 2010?

Brett Favre could lead this team to a NFC North Championship in 2010.

So could Tarvaris Jackson.

However, the rest of the NFC North is getting better—some would argue at a faster rate than the Vikings.

The Green Bay Packers have a legitimate quarterback and defense, and have covered their biggest weakness—the offensive line—with a first round draft pick and the return of some old faces.

The Chicago Bears have Mike Martz and a reinvigorated offense and have added Julius Peppers on defense. 

The Detroit Lions have a vastly improved defensive line and Matthew Stafford has a host of new weapons and an entire offseason in the offensive system.

With Favre, first place was an afterthought. The goal was home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Without Favre, first place is a goal, but the Packers have likely pulled ahead. Second place is still a near certainty and the wild card is a possibility.

Brett Favre can still change his mind and return. The Vikings are trying as hard as they can to make that happen. They will offer him more money, a lesser workload—anything to bring him up to Mankato and have him suited up in that first game.

It would be great for the Vikings if he comes back.

If not, the team and the fan base should feel comfortable that Tarvaris Jackson has another chance