2011 NFL Offseason: Favre Retires (Again), Vikes Looking for New QB

It didn't come as much of a surprise today when Brett Favre filed his retirement papers with the National Football League.

The timing may have been a bit off—just a day after the Divisional Playoff games—because, you know, Brett likes the spotlight.

But he backed up what he had been promising most of this past season: that his career as an NFL quarterback was over after the Minnesota Vikings' 2010 campaign ended with a disappointing 6-10 record.

Still, I have to wonder if we've seen the last of the future Hall-of-Famer. This isn't the first time he filed the appropriate paperwork to "officially" announce an end to his playing days, and we know we can't believe much of anything he says when it comes to retiring since he has already "unretired" twice.

Nevertheless, the Vikings have taken him at his word (and his dismal 2010 numbers) and have already begun the process of looking for a new starting quarterback. According to head coach Leslie Frazier, the Vikes are looking for someone they can build the team around for a good deal of time, not a temporary solution to fulfill the role for a year or two, as Favre had done.

The Vikings finished 2010 with rookie Joe Webb showing promise amidst turmoil. Webb was impressive in one of two starts, but proved to be nothing more than a raw talent with a lot to learn. While he will most likely be given a chance to compete for the starting job, it would surprise me if he's under center when the 2011 season begins.

That leaves Tarvaris Jackson (injured reserve), Rhett Bomar and Patrick Ramsey as the only other options currently on the Vikings' roster. With that list to select from, I'm guessing the team will look to free agency options and the draft as possible competition with Webb for the starting spot.

Whatever the case may be, it will be the most important roster decision the Vikings have made since, well, Brett Favre.