Brett Favre To Stay Retired

Brett Favre has decided to stay retired and not join the Minnesota Vikings this season, the quarterback told NFL Network's Rich Eisen in a text message.

Vikings coach Brad Childress told The Star Tribune in Minneapolis that Favre didn't want to put himself through the grind of a 19th NFL season.

"I just think it was a rare opportunity to explore a Hall of Fame quarterback who had background in the NFC and in this division (with the Green Bay Packers)," Childress told The Star Tribune. "He knows our system inside out ... This doesn't change anything about how I feel about our football team."

Favre retired for a second time after playing for the New York Jets last season. He had surgery in May to alleviate a torn biceps tendon in hopes of extending his career with the Vikings.

The Vikings begin training camp on Thursday with a quarterback competition between Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson.

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Favre anguished over whether to play again

"And on the 87th day he was anguished.

Two-plus months after the Brett Favre-to-the-Vikings soap opera began, and days before a decision was expected to be announced, ESPN reported Thursday that the 39-year-old quarterback "remains anguished about whether he should come out of retirement and join the team."

Did anyone really think the saga would end today?

ESPN's latest report suggests that any decision by Favre probably won't come until next week and it even raises doubt about whether he will meet his self-imposed deadline of July 30. That is the drop-dead day for Vikings players to report to training camp in Mankato, with the first practice scheduled for the following day.

Citing a source, ESPN's Ed Werder reported that Favre is conflicted about returning for his 19th season in large part because of phone calls and text messages he has received from Vikings players urging him to be their QB. The report mentioned Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen and Steve Hutchinson.

Several Vikings have been in some form of contact with Favre in recent months, and ESPN reported Favre is beginning to feel a sense of obligation to Vikings players and the coaching staff because of their involvement in trying to get him to play.

"If it weren't for the involvement of the Vikings players directly telling Brett they want him on their team, I think he might have already decided against playing again," the source told Werder."

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Are money issues holding up deal between Brett Favre and Minnesota Vikings?

"The longer it takes for the Vikings to announce that Brett Favre will be their quarterback next season, the more it appears that money is the holdup.

The Vikings plan to put single-game tickets on sale Monday. Favre's agent, Bus Cook, obviously knows that. He also knows if/when Favre's signing is announced, the Vikings will reap boatloads of new cash in ticket and apparel sales.

It's clear that Cook and Favre have enough leverage to extract at least a $10 million deal for the coming season, assuming Favre remains healthy. Ultimately, it's up to owner Zygi Wilf to determine Favre's worth to the Vikings, who certainly are justified in offering an incentive-laden contract.

Favre was paid $12 million last season by the New York Jets. If contract terms between the Vikings and Cook were right, the deal already would be done. Word is Favre wants to make sure his arm is fine before signing, but it wouldn't be surprising if it's Cook seeking more guarantees than incentives that's the holdup.

If Favre, who turns 40 in October, isn't signed by the Vikings' reporting date of July 29 (just 14 days away), it would seem unlikely he'll sign at all. Ultimately, it appears, both sides will have to make their best offer soon.

If Favre doesn't sign, and all that air goes out of the Vikings' balloon, it's a good bet it will be the money — and not his tender arm — that's the reason."

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Childress Says Favres 'Pain Free'

"Vikings fans rooting for the team to sign Brett Favre got more reasons to cheer on Friday: Coach Brad Childress said Favre is "pain-free right now" during a radio interview in which he lavished praise on the future hall of fame quarterback.

It was an important update on the status of Favre's surgically repaired arm. The widespread belief is that Favre will sign with the Vikings as long as his arm wouldn't prevent him from playing at a high level.

Childress' effusive comments serve as the latest mounting evidence that the Vikings want the marriage to happen, and Favre appears more ready, at least physically, to walk down the aisle.

"My understanding is that he is pain-free right now," Childress said during an interview with KFAN-AM 1130. "Does he have the endurance and the stamina in that arm yet? He doesn't know that yet. It's no different than grabbing a golf club for the first time during the year when you rip around 18 holes, and you wake up the next day and your side hurts. You say, 'Geez, I haven't felt that muscle in a while.' So he's got to build some endurance in that and see if he thinks he can get it back to where he wants to get it."

Childress again said that it is not a foregone conclusion that Favre will sign to play for the Vikings, but he spoke glowingly about him.

Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards said during a recent interview with ESPN that Favre could help the team win but that some of Favre's actions last season while with the New York Jets, including dressing in a separate area away from his teammates, wouldn't be welcomed in Minnesota. Edwards said he doesn't want Favre to bring his "prima-donna attitude" because he believes that "will break a team apart."

Childress told KFAN he wasn't bothered by Edwards' comments. "I think it was all in jest. Defensive linemen, usually by nature, hate quarterbacks, and that's OK."

Childress added: "I talked to (former Viking) Tony Richardson, who was (Favre's) teammate at the Jets. He had nothing but great things to say about him. Did I get into, Did he have a separate locker? It's hard for me to see that. Of course, I know how Winter Park is set up. I think he'll be a great locker room guy. He's probably one of the better practical jokers out there over the course of 16 years, and he's not afraid to give it to anybody, and I think he'll be a tremendous teammate, as well."

Childress said Favre understands the benefits of going through a full training camp with a team, and more pressing than getting to know the Vikings' offense would be getting to know his new teammates and their abilities on the field.

Don't expect the Favre signing to happen until close to training camp, though. Childress plans to leave Monday for a weeklong fishing trip to Alaska with Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid. And Childress' daughter, Cara, is getting married July 11 in the Twin Cities area.

Reports of Favre's diva attitude with the Jets would seem to run contrary to how he was perceived around the NFL by opponents and teammates throughout most of his career.

"I think what that is is that's a guy that plays with passion, to a degree wears his emotions on his sleeve," Childress said. "You really don't really like quarterbacks that ride a roller coaster. Obviously his standard was usually pretty good. Could he get wild? Could he throw some interceptions? Sure he could. But he plays the game with enthusiasm and with excitement. There's kind of a boyishness even though he's approaching 40 years old." "

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