Only time will tell

Brett Favre's professional career began in 1991 with the Atlanta Falcons.

When I was a freshman in college.

In 1992, he moved on to the Green Bay Packers and stayed there until 2007, when he retired.

The first time.

In 2008, Favre played for the New York Jets.

Then he retired again.

Sort of.

Favre's second retirement didn't last a full summer before he signed a contract to play for my beloved Minnesota Vikings.

The thought by most is the Vikings are now the team to beat in the NFC.

My feelings about the issue, however, are a little different.

Favre played well for the Jets for approximately 12 games last year. At that point in the season, the Jets were 8-4 and had just defeated the then-undefeated Tennessee Titans.

But the team hit the brakes hard when Favre's arm went south and the Jets didn't even make the playoffs.

It was believed heading into training camps this year that Favre was indeed done. His long, historic career was finally over.

Not so.

On Tuesday, Favre signed his contract with the Vikings and Minnesota fans cheered.

Most of my friends and colleagues alike have told me the Vikings have a much better chance of winning it all with Favre.

That may be true. He makes them contenders. If his arm holds.

He had offseason surgery but it was also discovered he has a tear in his rotator cuff.

Currently, the Vikings have four quarterbacks on their roster.

Joining Favre are Tavaris Jackson, Sage Rosenfels and John David Booty.

Prior to Favre's signing, most believed Rosenfels was going to be the starter.

A career backup, most remember Rosenfels for delivering the Colts a victory last year when he fumbled the ball while scrambling.

Jackson has seen action as a starter with the Vikings from time to time over the last couple of seasons.

But he floundered in the playoffs last season, which began the speculation that Favre would sign with Minnesota.

He didn't initially, but Rosenfels did, hoping -- I'm sure -- to secure a starting position.

Booty is a USC product. He has been thought to be the quarterback of the team's future.

My argument has been, why not start the future now?

The Vikings have arguably the game's best running back in Adrian Peterson.

Their defense is stellar.

They have what it takes to go far in the playoffs.

The Vikings really don't need a gunslinger. They need a game manager.

With Favre, the Vikings could go far in the playoffs.

But, they could be sacrificing their future for the here and now.

Most professional teams do that on a regular basis.

Sometimes, it takes a move this bold to get a team to go forward.

Whether Favre will lead the Vikings to their fifth Super Bowl appearance remains to be seen.

All Vikings fans would like is to see the team finally win one.