Minnesota Vikings: What QB Will Replace Brett Favre in 2011?

Minnesota Vikings will be on the lookout for a quarterback next year. Given Brett Favre’s terrible year and possible concussion in last night’s Monday Night Football game, it’s nearly certain that this very well may be it for the old gunslinger.

With that, here are five possible solutions for the Minnesota Vikings when they’re tasked with replacing one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game:

Kyle Orton

The amount of change seen in Denver already this year, coupled with the impressive statistics compiled by Orton makes him perhaps the premier quarterback to takeover under center in Minnesota.

Orton has 3,653 yards and 20 touchdowns through the air this season in 13 games for the lowly Broncos. He has thrown for more than 300 yards six times, including a 476-yard games in Week 4. He also threw for 296 yards and four touchdowns against Kansas City in Week 10 and hit for 295 in Week 2 against Jacksonville.

With experience playing in the NFC North, Orton has to be the odds on favorite to sign with the Vikings.

Michael Vick

Perhaps the hottest commodity during the NFL’s offseason will be the services of Vick. He’s bound to finish among the top vote-getters for the league’s Most Valuable Player award and is going to land a rather large pay-day wherever he ends up.

If Vick doesn’t resign with the Philadelphia Eagles, look for the Minnesota Vikings to make a big play for him.

Matt Moore

It looks like Jimmy Clausen is the future for the Carolina Panthers, leaving Moore on the outside looking in. Moore was placed on injured reserve after playing in just six games but did show a bit of promise, going for 308 yards in a Week 7 win over the 49ers.

Much of Moore’s value and the Vikings potential interest in him will be in question because of the torn-labrum that sent to IR. If he can show through the offseason that he has, in fact, recovered well, his value will undoubtedly go up.

Bruce Gradkowski

The Oakland Raiders suddenly have two capable quarterbacks. With Jason Campbell under contract, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Raiders do not re-sign Gradkowski.

Gradkowski has played in six games for the Raiders and has thrown for at least 250 yards and a touchdown in three of them. With the Vikings’ stable of running backs and talented wide receivers, Gradkowski’s value would immediately improve if in Minnesota.

Jake Locker

The Vikings are predicted to obtain a first-round selection somewhere around No. 10. With Andrew Luck all but predicted as the No. 1 selection, it stands to reason that Locker could end up with the Vikings.

Locker has tossed for 2,209 yards and 17 touchdowns for Washington this season leading into the Huskies’ Holiday Bowl matchup with No. 18 Nebraska.