Brett Favre Retires: Why the Vikings Should Have Pursued Donovan McNabb

Brett Favre has announced that he has retired from the NFL. Of course there will be speculation that he may return, but a serious ankle injury he sustained in the playoffs and additional weight he has gained in the offseason suggest that he's done for good.

Favre's inability to make a timely verdict and the Vikings' reluctance to part ways with the indecisive quarterback meant that they had to pass over Donovan McNabb when he became available in the offseason.

The following are seven reasons why McNabb would have been a better option for the Vikings.

7) More Cost-Effective

Price is not a major concern for the Vikings, but Favre made $12 million in base salary last year, where McNabb was offered $9.2 million with incentives.

McNabb ended up making just over $12 million last year in bonuses, but the Vikings would not have to pay him as much if he would have flopped.

6) He's a Running Threat

As McNabb has gotten older he relies on his strong arm more than his quick feet and is more likely to stay in the pocket, but his ability to scramble would give the Vikings' dangerous receiving corps of Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, and Bernard Berrian more time to get open.

Favre's powerful arm and ability to make plays in the pocket makes him one of the greatest NFL quarterbacks of all time, but McNabb could take advantage of Rice's playmaking ability, Harvin's versatility, and Berrian's speed.

The following video displays McNabb's ability to turn a bad situation into a big gain through the air by using his feet.

5) Mentor to Tavaris Jackson

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 21: Quarterback Tavaris Jackson #7 of the Minnesota Vikings drops back to pass the football against the Kansas City Chiefs at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on August 21, 2009 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Chie

Favre is one of the all-time greats, but he reportedly was not interested in mentoring the younger players on the Vikings' roster.

McNabb's would be a great influence on Tavaris Jackson, who is quick on his feet and has a big arm, but is unable to use them to make plays on the field.

McNabb's influence may help Jackson turn his career around and become the Vikings' franchise quarterback in the future.

4) Less Drama

Multiple retirements. Crying at press conferences. A stint on Broadway. Throwing passes to high schoolers in Mississippi.

Favre's recent actions have made him ESPN's favorite drama queen.

Aside from using an hour-long segment to tell loyal fans in Green Bay, where he played for 16 years, that he would become the NFL's biggest turncoat, Favre has gone to great lengths to ensure he is always in the spotlight during the last four NFL offseasons.

McNabb, on the other hand, has never drawn attention to himself the way Favre has. In fact, he fell victim to another divas' antics in Philadelphia when his sideline conflicts with wide receiver Terrell Owens were filmed and run on ESPN for everyone to see.

3) Better Situation Than Washington

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 13: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates his fourth quarter touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals with teammate Sidney Rice #18 on December 13, 2009 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesot

The Minnesota Vikings would have provided a better supporting cast for McNabb than the one he has in Washington.

With Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart as running threats there would be less pressure on McNabb to use his arm to make plays.

The Redskins' three running backs -- Clinton Portis, Willie Parker, and Larry Johnson -- were great three years ago, but have been less productive lately. Peterson is in his prime and is considered one of the best running backs in the league.

McNabb would have had an outstanding receiving corps of Sidney Rice, Bernard Berrian, and Percy Harvin to make plays for him. That is certainly an upgrade over Santana Moss, Devin Thomas, and Joey Galloway.

Visanthe Shiancoe has come into his own while wearing the purple, scoring 11 touchdowns last year, and is a great secondary option if downfield coverage is tight. Chris Cooley is well regarded in the NFL, but is coming off of a serious injury.

McNabb would have chosen Minnesota over D.C. because he would be playing for a Super Bowl contender, not a bottom-dweller in the NFC East.

2) They Know He Would Play

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ASHBURN, VA - JULY 30: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass during the second day of training camp July 30, 2010 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

There was no question whether or not McNabb would play in the 2010 season.

In contrast, there was speculation that Favre would retire a Packer three years ago.

By saying "Thanks, but no thanks," to Favre the Vikings would have been able to sign McNabb and avoided the situation they are in now.

Certainly it would be difficult telling Favre, who turned his back on the rival Packers and had a career year (33 touchdowns, 7 interceptions in all 16 games), that they were uninterested in his services, but McNabb would have been a competent, lower-risk replacement.

1) Long-Term Solution

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 03: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles at Cowboys Stadium on January 3, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

At 40 years old Favre had one or two seasons left in him at best.

McNabb, 33, could have signed a five-year contact and stayed with the Vikings, making them a contender for the next few years, rather than hoping that it all comes together next year.

Favre could bring the Vikings at title, but McNabb could potentially make them a dynasty.