The odds on the Minnesota Vikings at the online bookmakers are going to have to be adjusted with the news that quarterback Brett Favre could be retiring. While nothing is 100% certain with Favre, this does appear to be the end for the future Hall of Fame quarterback. The Vikings were considered a Super Bowl contender in offshore betting odds with Favre at quarterback but that may not be the case without him.
Online bookmakers odds listed the Minnesota Vikings at 8-1 to win the Super Bowl with the assumption that Favre was returning. Without Favre at quarterback the Vikings odds will be double-digits. Favre has reportedly told the Vikings that he is really going to retire. Favre has retired twice in the past and come back to play so it is not a guarantee that he stays retired but at 40 years old it really does look like this is the end. Favre reportedly has had difficulty coming back from ankle surgery and does not feel he can play at a high level this season.
Favre has said he is retiring before and then changed his mind so nothing is for certain with him. He has retired and come back it seems in every season for the past few years. Last year was one of the best years ever for Favre so most people believed he would return. He threw for 4,202 yards and 33 TDs last season. He had his career best completion percentage at 68.4 percent and threw the fewest interceptions in a season with 7. The one he threw in the NFC Championship game though is the one that cost Minnesota a Super Bowl berth and it will be the last pass that he ever throws if he does indeed retire.
Favre is an 11-time Pro Bowler and has had 18 straight 3,000 yard seasons and 20 straight years of 20 or more TD passes. His 285 consecutive starts is also an amazing streak that may never be broken. Offshore betting stats indicate that he has thrown for more yards than any other quarterback in NFL history and more TD passes. He has also thrown more interceptions than any other player in history.
Minnesota will now have to hope that Tarvaris Jackson is ready to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. He has 21 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in 33 career games. The Vikings also have Sage Rosenfels but the starting job is almost assuredly going to go to Jackson if Favre does not return.