8 greatest one-hit wonder Vikings seasons of the last 30 years
By Ben Donahue
Player No. 5
Brett Favre - QB (2009)
In March of 2008, Brett Favre announced his retirement after 16 years in Green Bay. His retirement would be short-lived as he was traded to the New York Jets in August 2008. After an up-and-down season with the Jets, Favre retired again in the spring of 2009.
Approaching 40 years of age and his 19th year of football, Favre was still considered one of the best quarterbacks in football. The Vikings certainly thought so and brought him out of retirement for a second time with a two-year, $25 million offer.
It turned out to be exactly what the doctor ordered for Minnesota. A year after the team had the 12th-best offense in the NFL, Favre helped the unit become the league’s second-best in 2009. The man responsible for torturing the Vikings for so many years helped the organization to a 12-4 record, the best result since 1998.
During the season, Favre re-discovered his mojo and passed for 4,202 yards (his best since ‘98), 33 touchdowns, and seven interceptions (his fewest since his rookie year). His 1.3% interception rating also led the NFL.
In the playoffs, Favre helped wax the Cowboys in the Divisional round before succumbing to a close, 31-28, loss to New Orleans in overtime of the NFC Championship game. During the contest, Favre threw two costly interceptions but was also brutalized by Saints defenders.
After the year, Favre contemplated retirement yet again but was talked into a 20th NFL season by Vikings coaches and teammates. Regrettably, Father Time finally caught up with the quarterback in 2010, and he passed for just over 2,500 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 19 picks.
Favre was also knocked out of a late-season game against Chicago and didn’t play in the team’s final game against Detroit. Minnesota fell to 6-10, and Favre retired for good after the season.