THAT'S IT, WE'RE OVER BRETT FAVRE!

[Bond]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—Just when Brett Favre looked to finally be out, the Minnesota Vikings could be pulling him back in.

Citing an anonymous source “with direct knowledge of the discussions between the two parties,” ESPN reported Tuesday that Favre is scheduled to meet with Vikings coach Brad Childress later this week about a possible comeback with Minnesota.

Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, did not immediately return a phone call to his Mississippi office left by The Associated Press.

Childress and Vikings spokesman Bob Hagan also did not immediately return messages.

Both Favre and Cook have said this spring that Favre intends to stay retired. But Favre’s statement after he was released by the New York Jets last week left the door open.

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“At this time, I am retired and have no intention of returning to football,” he said.

Those three little words—“At this time”—set off rampant speculation that he was indeed considering a second return to action.

Childress said Friday he had been too busy to concentrate on Favre, but did acknowledge the subject would soon be broached.

“We talk about everything,” Childress said then, “from what’s going on in the United States on the front page today. … We talk about everything, so yeah, I’m sure we’ll talk about that.”

It wouldn’t be the first time.

Favre spent 16 seasons in Green Bay, retiring in 2008 after leading the Packers to the NFC title game. He changed his mind a few months later, which set up a long and messy soap opera that ultimately led to his trade to the Jets.

It was believed all along that Favre, after hearing Green Bay’s plans to go with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, wanted to come to NFC North rival Minnesota so he could exact some revenge on the Packers.

But the Packers would have none of it. The team filed tampering charges against the Vikings, alleging improper contact between Favre and Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, a friend of Favre’s from his days as Green Bay’s quarterbacks coach.

The league cleared the Vikings of all charges. Green Bay included in the trade to New York a clause that made it all but impossible for the Jets to turn around and ship Favre to the Vikings.

But when the Jets granted the 39-year-old Favre his release last week, it made him a free agent who is eligible to sign with any team he chooses. And many experts say the Vikings are a quarterback away from being a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

With unproven veterans Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson slated to duke it out in training camp for the starting job, it would come as no surprise that the Vikings would at least consider adding a three-time MVP who holds the career records in every major statistical passing category, including interceptions.

But the move would not come without questions.

After an impressive start to his first and only season in New York—he threw a career-high six touchdown passes in a win over Arizona in Week 4— Favre’s production dipped considerably over the final five games while he dealt with shoulder and biceps injuries. He threw nine interceptions in that span and the Jets stumbled to a 1-4 finish.

Time to go send a nasty email to my mom's friend who knows Deanna.

[The Germanator]

Brett Favre's reputation has really gone down the tubes. Yeesh. It's going to be awesome watching him go 7-9 with the Vikings. Way to go, Brett.

[KillerGremlin]

Minnesota beat Green Bay this year, really? Revenge...really? But Aaron Rodgers was playing so good and Green Bay looked like a team that should have won a lot more games last year...I predict (if this comes true) that Favre will eat his words.

[Bond]

This is so fucking ridiculous. Seriously. I associate my love of football with my love of Brett Favre, but this is just absurd!

[Typhoid]

Maybe he just wants a championship, and believes the Vikings can get him one.

It's not like it's unheard of for players to jump from team to team when they want to win - thats the entire basis of selecting your team in the first place.

[BreakABone]

Originally Posted by Typhoid

Maybe he just wants a championship, and believes the Vikings can get him one.

It's not like it's unheard of for players to jump from team to team when they want to win - thats the entire basis of selecting your team in the first place.

I don't think its the team hopping so much as it is the constant retirement thing he goes through in the post-season only to join another team.

[The Germanator]

Originally Posted by BreakABone

I don't think its the team hopping so much as it is the constant retirement thing he goes through in the post-season only to join another team.

Agreed. I mean, team hopping is one thing. But multiple tearful retirement speeches is ridiculous. Especially when he demands a release from the Jets because "he just wants to retire a Packer." If he does come back, Favre will lose even more credibility. What a fraud.

Plus...He's already won a championship and accomplished more than a lot of quarterbacks...He doesn't need to do any of this. I respect wanting to keep playing, but the way he handles it is piss poor.

[KillerGremlin]

Not to mention he is old. His risky playing style no longer works for him. The guy has always thrown a lot of interceptions, but he also made a lot of BIG plays and he did it often in the 4th quarter. Now he is under-throwing passes, and he throws way too many interceptions. Plus he is showing his age by having normal health problems associated with playing a physical sport.

I'm not sure why the Vikings would pick him up, he's not a Superbowl worthy contender in the league anymore. And maybe the Vikings haven't been paying attention, but the NFC North is fairly competitive now with new blood Rodgers in Green Bay and recently acquired Cutler in Chicago.