Now that the Colts and Saints have punched their tickets to Super Bowl XLiV, let the questions and speculation begin.  No, not about the game. About the future of the Elderly Hillbilly.

In last night's 31-28 loss to the Saints, the Vikings quarterback was beaten, bruised and battered.  To top it off, his final pass was intercepted by the Saints, denying the Vikings an opportunity for a game winning field goal and a Super Bowl birth.  With the interception of that pass, two things happened: The NFL lost their dream matchup for Super Bowl XLIV (Manning vs. Favre) and the "will he or won't he retire" countdown clock started. 

If Favre is smart (some think that's an oxymoron) he'll keep his mouth shut until at least late spring.  The Vikings must know by now not to expect him for off season work outs and mini camps.  They probably also know that he would prefer not to show up to training camp until the third week when all the heavy lifting is over.  If Coach Brad Childress and Favre's Viking teammates can deal with it, Favre will most likely mount the horse one more time to try and get it across the finish line.  If the rumblings out of Vikings camp are his teammates  and coach are annoyed, Favre may finally be forced to stay on his tractor.

Favre is a critical component in the Vikings quest to win their first Super Bowl.  He's still got plenty left in his tank, as long as it is used in game situations.  One would think that Favre doesn't want to go out on an interception in the NFC championship game, similar to the way he ended his Packers career in 2007.  On the other hand, his former team, the Jets not only started a rookie quarterback this season, but the rookie took them to the brink of an AFC championship. 

It is my opinion (and I've been pretty accurate on this subject) that if  the Vikings let Favre dance to his own off season tune, he will rejoin them next year.  Should they decide that mini-camps and "voluntary" work outs matter, Favre may finally throw in the Wranglers.

I don't think the Brett Favre story will be that big a deal this off season.  We know he'll only go to the Vikings, we know he wants to win one more Super Bowl and we know that he probably could, if he chooses, play next year.  How the Vikings handle it will go a long way to determining whether or not number 4 will lace them up one more time.