8 greatest veteran QBs in Minnesota Vikings history
By Ben Donahue
Greatest Vikings Veteran QB No. 5
Brett Favre
In 2008, longtime veteran quarterback Gus Frerotte helped lead the Vikings back to the playoffs after a three-year absence. The team then lost in the Wild Card round to Philadelphia. Heading into the offseason before 2009, Minnesota didn’t believe Frerotte would be their guy in ‘09. Enter Brett Favre.
The former Green Bay Packer had retired following the 2007 season then unretired in 2008 to play with the New York Jets. Favre retired again after the ‘08 season.
During the spring of 2009, Minnesota head coach Brad Childress flew down to Mississippi to try and coax Favre into signing with the Vikings. Weeks of negotiations led to Favre suiting up for his 19th NFL season, this time with the Purple and Gold.
During his first season with Minny, Favre worked extremely well with Adrian Peterson, Sidney Rice, and Percy Harvin. The Vikings won 12 games with Favre throwing for 4,202 yards, 33 touchdowns, and a measly seven picks.
He led the NFL in a number of categories, including passer rating (107.2, easily the best of Favre’s career), and was voted to his 11th Pro Bowl.
Minnesota and Favre easily beat Dallas, 34-3, in the divisional round before meeting New Orleans in the NFC Championship game. The Saints were expected to win, but Favre kept the Vikings in the thick of it.
The contest went into overtime after Favre threw a costly interception on a possible game-winning drive. New Orleans ultimately prevailed in overtime, sending Favre and the Vikings home.
Favre was talked into playing yet again in 2010. This time, he didn’t live up to expectations and even missed a game due to injury, ending his consecutive games streak at 297. Minnesota went 6-10 as Favre passed for just over 2,500 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions.
In his two years with the Vikings, Favre passed for 6,711 yards, 44 touchdowns and 26 interceptions. He was 17-12-0 as the starter.