Brett Favre: Not a Viking? Whatever...

Brett Favre has decided that he will not be returning to the NFL to play for the Minnesota Vikings.

Whatever.

From the Star Tribune:

Vikings coach Brad Childress said late this afternoon that the quarterback informed the team he has decided to remain retired. Childress cited the daily grind both mentally and physically as part of the reason why Favre remained retired.

"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," Childress said. "He knows our system inside out ... This doesn't change anything about how I feel about our football team."

Favre's decision comes one day before players begin reporting to training in Mankato. Favre had told the team he would have a decision by Thursday, when players must officially report to camp. The Vikings begin practicing on Friday.

...Favre, who will turn 40 on Oct. 10, had surgery in late May to repair the arm and began working out with receivers at a high school in Hattiesburg, Miss. Ultimately his concern became whether he could make it through the rigors of a 16-game season.

Whatever. He's done, allegedly. I'll believe it when I see it.

Let's face it. The guy isn't too stable. He could change his mind and jet up to Minnesota in time for practice on Friday.

It must be tough still being a kid and living in an aging body.

It must be tough being so bitter. He wanted to stick it to Ted Thompson. I think Favre wanted more than anything to be a Viking, his dream scenario.

It must be tough to let that dream of revenge go.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Brett Favre told Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress that he will remain retired in a recent phone conversation, Childress told the Minneapolis Star Tribune this afternoon.

A source has since confirmed the report to the Journal Sentinel.

...This likely will not end the Favre chatter for at least the next year.

Favre could decide to return at some point during the season if a contender, such as the Vikings, suffers an injury or mediocre quarterback play.

Favre could always return in 2010 at the age of 40 after some rest.

If Favre does intend to stay retired, then the next item of Favre news could be about a possible reconciliation with the Green Bay Packers, the team he played 16 Hall of Fame seasons for.

...Packers team President Mark Murphy said in March that Favre will have his jersey retired in the future.

"Obviously, we will do it. We've made that commitment," Murphy said then. "He deserves to have his number retired. I just think both sides need some time."

I think the Packers should tell Favre that they will retire his number. Then they should give him a day that they'll let him know when it will happen. Then when that day arrives, they should say they still haven't decided, that they need more time.

The Packers should set a new deadline and promise Favre they'll tell him then when his number will be retired.

When that deadline is reached, the Packers should tell Favre they just aren't sure yet and they need more time.

Mark Murphy should do an interview with Greta Van Susteren and whine.

Then the Packers should give indications that they are preparing for the ceremony, putting out signs that the retirement of Favre's number is imminent. The Packers should practice retiring his number at the high school football field.

Then they should let more and more time pass. They should say they'll get back to Favre eventually. They just can't say when.

The Packers have to be sure that Favre is really retired before they retire his number.

So for now, it appears that Favre is going out with a whimper, retiring after a crappy season.

He didn't even manage to get the revenge that he wanted so badly.

But who knows? Favre may still end up with the Vikings.

Whatever.