Over the weekend, Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press suggested that Vikings coach Brad Childress might not get a new contract until the franchise has secured a new stadium.
So, to the delight of those of you who think that Walters is never right, there’s now a report that Childress could soon be getting a new contract.
Word of the possible deal comes from Clark Judge of CBSSports.com, who writes that the new contract could be announced in November.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune throws a handful of water on that notion, however, citing an unnamed source who says that nothing is “imminent.”
We think it would be a mistake to extend Childress too soon. Keep that carrot in front of him until after the season, and then assess his value based on the outcome of the current campaign.
Ownership could be concerned that, if the Vikings make it to the Super Bowl or win the thing, Childress could acquire more leverage for a new deal, since his current one expires after the 2010 season. But one good (or maybe great) year fueled by a 40-year-old quarterback who already has saved Chilly’s chestnuts twice won’t prompt the other 31 franchises to confuse Childress with Bill Walsh.
Absent Favre, the Vikings would still be playing Chillyball -- an attack premised on keeping it close for 3.5 quarters and hoping for a late break. And so it could be back to Chillyball as soon as 2010.
While Childress deserves credit for recognizing that Favre’s presence would help unlock that long-promised “kick ass offense,” the Vikings could be getting their asses kicked after Favre leaves.
Thus, maybe the Vikings should wait a little bit longer before rewarding Childress for Favre’s efforts. Given that the last Minnesota team to start 6-0 didn’t even make it to the playoffs, January might be the right time to seriously consider whether to keep Childress beyond 2010.