A former NFL coach told Sports Headliners on Saturday he expects 40-year-old Vikings quarterback Brett Favre to return for another season in Minneapolis.
“With Favre I get the sense he probably will (return),” the source said. “…He just can’t give it up (playing). Here’s a guy to me who is addicted to the spotlight.”
Favre’s outstanding first season with the Vikings provides encouragement to the veteran quarterback to play another season, according to the source who spoke on condition of anonymity. “He had one of the best seasons in the National Football League in a long time and led the team to the NFC championship game,” the former NFL coach said.
On a team with more Pro Bowl selections than any other, Favre was the Vikings’ superstar. Favre’s stats were among the most impressive of his career including his best regular season passer rating and he threw only seven interceptions in 16 games. When he wasn’t passing the Vikings to victories, he was willing them to wins. If Favre doesn’t return to the Vikings, his leadership will be badly missed.
He filled a void on a franchise that had nearly turned to “American Idol” in desperate search for a talented quarterback. The results of Favre’s first season included a 12-4 regular season record, the team’s best showing since 1998. The Vikings also reached the NFC title game for the first time since January 2001.
Favre, though, admitted his body, nearly 20 years older than some of his NFL peers, took a pummeling throughout the season and playoffs. He reportedly was so beaten up after the NFC title loss to New Orleans he couldn’t play golf several days later.
But the same passion for football that motivated Favre to twice cancel retirement plans in recent years is likely to bring him back for at least another season and Super Bowl drive, according to some observers.
“The Vikings I am sure would love to have him back,” the Sports Headliners source said. “Obviously he proved a lot of skeptics wrong with his play. There’s no reason he can’t play as well (next season).”
Favre’s return doesn’t ensure a Super Bowl trip, though. “I think they have a good team,” the source said. “The chemistry seems to be in place, but in the National Football League rebuilding a whole team on a daily basis is not easy.”