Favre: Packer now, Viking later?

MANKATO - Brett Favre is back in Green Bay, but that doesn't mean the future Hall of Fame quarterback won't end up with the Vikings.

Even as Favre flew into Green Bay on Sunday, conflicting reports appeared about Favre's status, ranging from his competing for the Packers starting quarterback job to him being offered to the Vikings in a trade.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinal reported earlier Sunday that Favre would be reinstated to the active roster today and that the Packers planned to hold an open quarterback competition involving Favre and Aaron Rodgers.

But the Journal Sentinel reported later Sunday that the Packers called the Vikings on Friday to inform them that Favre was available in a trade.

That was something General Manager Ted Thompson had said he would not do.

The source -- cited as an executive in personnel for an NFL team with close ties to clubs in the NFC North Division -- told the paper the conversation between the Packers and Vikings was brief and there was no discussion of compensation.

Vikings officials could not be reached to comment Sunday night. The Vikings, who will open the regular season on Monday night Sept. 8 at Green Bay, had tampering charges filed against them by Green Bay last month for alleged inappropriate contact with Favre. The case remains under investigation by the NFL.

If the Packers end up holding a quarterback competition it would be a major change for the franchise, which had told Favre it had moved on since his retirement in March and that Rodgers was their starter.

Favre has said for several weeks he wanted to return.

"Although we built this year around the assumption that Brett meant what he said about retiring, Brett is coming back," Packers president Mark Murphy said in statement. "We will welcome him back and turn this situation to our advantage."

Murphy said Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy had a plan in place if Favre returned and that McCarthy will talk to the team and the quarterbacks about the plan moving forward and then share it publicly.

"There have been no promises," McCarthy told the Associated Press. "Once again, there has been indecision throughout Brett's path back here to Green Bay. It's important for us to sit down and communicate."

Favre would not be upset if the Packers' plan was to deal him to Minnesota. Thinking he wouldn't get an opportunity to challenge Rodgers, Favre had asked for his release with the goal of signing with the Vikings.

The Packers looked at trading Favre out of the division, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets expressed interest, but nothing came of those talks.

Favre likely felt Minnesota was a good fit because he is friends with Vikings coach Brad Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and is familiar with the West Coast offense the team runs. The quarterback position is considered the Vikings' biggest question mark with Tarvaris Jackson entering his second season as a starter. The addition of Favre almost certainly would mean the Vikings would be the favorites to win the NFC North.

The Vikings had their first off day of training camp Sunday and players were not available to comment. Kicker Ryan Longwell, a member of the Packers for nine seasons before joining the Vikings in 2006, said he was happy for his former teammate after hearing he would get a chance to compete for the job.

"I just think after all he's done for that team and organization over the years, it's the right decision to give him a chance," Longwell said in a text message. "I do feel really bad for Aaron but I think it's the right decision."

Favre, 38, is coming off a season in which he helped the Packers to a 13-3 record and a spot in the NFC Championship Game. Favre, who holds numerous NFL passing records, is 4-0 against the Vikings since Childress took over as head coach in 2006.

Favre had been considering a personal services contract from the Packers that reportedly would have paid him between $20 and $25 million to stay retired and work for the organization. Ultimately, he decided he wanted to play.

The Packers are not scheduled to practice today, meaning Favre's first practice would come Tuesday. He will have to pass a physical and conditioning test before taking the field.

Commissioner Roger Goodell's ruling Sunday on Favre's reinstatement came after he delayed it in hopes the two sides could come up with a solution. In an interview with the NFL Network on Saturday, Goodell said he felt the situation had gone on long enough.

"I think we have to force it," he said. "I think it's come to the point where there need to be some decisions made on behalf of the Packers, on behalf of Brett, on behalf of all the fans."

A variety of news sources contributed to this report.