Future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, who leads the NFL in retirement announcements, has apparently added the Minnestoa Vikings to his list.
Favre, 40, reportedly has told Vikings officials and teammates that he will not be returning to Minnesota for a second season, which would have been his 20th in the NFL. The news is surprising: Favre is coming off one of his best seasons and has been rehabbing at his Hattiesburg, Miss., farm from ankle surgery. Favre injured his ankle in Minnesota's overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints in the NFC championship.
Favre's history suggests that he could change his mind again and be in Vikings camp in time to play in the season opener on Sept. 9 in New Orleans against the Super Bowl champion Saints.
In 2008, Favre retired from the Green Bay Packers in March only to return in July and be traded to the Jets. He retired again in February, 2009, only to make a comeback last season. He initially told the Vikings in late July 2009 that he would remain retired, but changed his mind by mid-August and went on to lead the Vikings to the NFC championship. He threw for over 4,200 yards with 33 touchdowns and just seven interceptions to lead the Vikings (12-4) to their first NFC title game since 2001.
The Vikings have not commented on the news, first reported by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, although a press release was expected later Tuesday, according to reports.
Favre had a forgettable 2008 season with the Jets, despite an 8-3 start. The Jets then lost four of their last five games, and missed the playoffs. Favre's poor play down the stretch was the main reason for the Jets' collapse. He later blamed his play on problems with his right shoulder and subsequently underwent surgery, which enabled him to play the next season with the Vikings.
If Favre doesn't return, the Vikings' starting quarterback job likely will be decided in a training camp battle between Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson. The 32-year-old Rosenfels, acquired by the Vikings last year in a trade with the Houston Texans, has a career quarterback rating of 81.2. In 32 games, he has 30 touchdowns and 29 interceptions and has passed for 4,156 yards.
The 27-year-old Jackson, drafted in the second round of the 2006 draft, has a 77.9 rating and has 21 touchdowns and 18 interceptions, passing for 3,643 yards in 33 career games.
Read more: Brett Favre tells Minnesota Vikings he is going to retire as injured ankle not improving: Report
Favre, 40, reportedly has told Vikings officials and teammates that he will not be returning to Minnesota for a second season, which would have been his 20th in the NFL. The news is surprising: Favre is coming off one of his best seasons and has been rehabbing at his Hattiesburg, Miss., farm from ankle surgery. Favre injured his ankle in Minnesota's overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints in the NFC championship.
Favre's history suggests that he could change his mind again and be in Vikings camp in time to play in the season opener on Sept. 9 in New Orleans against the Super Bowl champion Saints.
In 2008, Favre retired from the Green Bay Packers in March only to return in July and be traded to the Jets. He retired again in February, 2009, only to make a comeback last season. He initially told the Vikings in late July 2009 that he would remain retired, but changed his mind by mid-August and went on to lead the Vikings to the NFC championship. He threw for over 4,200 yards with 33 touchdowns and just seven interceptions to lead the Vikings (12-4) to their first NFC title game since 2001.
The Vikings have not commented on the news, first reported by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, although a press release was expected later Tuesday, according to reports.
Favre had a forgettable 2008 season with the Jets, despite an 8-3 start. The Jets then lost four of their last five games, and missed the playoffs. Favre's poor play down the stretch was the main reason for the Jets' collapse. He later blamed his play on problems with his right shoulder and subsequently underwent surgery, which enabled him to play the next season with the Vikings.
If Favre doesn't return, the Vikings' starting quarterback job likely will be decided in a training camp battle between Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson. The 32-year-old Rosenfels, acquired by the Vikings last year in a trade with the Houston Texans, has a career quarterback rating of 81.2. In 32 games, he has 30 touchdowns and 29 interceptions and has passed for 4,156 yards.
The 27-year-old Jackson, drafted in the second round of the 2006 draft, has a 77.9 rating and has 21 touchdowns and 18 interceptions, passing for 3,643 yards in 33 career games.
Read more: Brett Favre tells Minnesota Vikings he is going to retire as injured ankle not improving: Report
