Could the Brett Favre-to-the-Vikings saga finally be nearing an end? The answer to that question depended on whom you listened to Monday. And, no, neither the Vikings nor the Favre camp were talking -- at least on the record.

ESPN reported Monday morning that coach Brad Childress has imposed a deadline of this week for the quarterback to decide whether he will end his second attempt at retirement and play for the Vikings in 2009. Chris Mortensen and Ed Werder cited two sources in their story for the all-sports network.

Later in the day, Pat Kirwan of Sirius NFL Radio said on his "Movin' the Chains" show that there is no deadline for Favre and that "the [ESPN] story was made up," adding, "Favre is on his way to Minnesota, and it may be around July 15. It might be earlier."

The words of Kirwan, a former NFL executive, carry weight because he is friendly with Childress and frequently has the Vikings coach on as a guest during the season. Mortensen and Werder, however, are credible because they have broken several Favre-related stories in recent years.

The Vikings and Favre seemed to have little interest in clearing up which report was accurate, something that came as no surprise, considering Favre has remained silent throughout this process and the team only has been willing to say it is interested in him. A Vikings official said the team would have no comment, and Favre's agent, Bus Cook, did not return phone calls seeking a response. Childress will not address the media until Thursday.

Monday's back-and-forth came a day after ESPN reported Favre had undergone arthroscopic surgery to repair the partially torn biceps in his (right) passing shoulder but that he remained unable to make a commitment because subsequent throwing sessions indicate the shoulder is not yet 100 percent.

Considering Favre recently had surgery he had been hoping to avoid, it does seem curious the Vikings would demand an answer so soon after the procedure was performed and while he is still experiencing some pain.

The Vikings reportedly had been hoping to get Favre to their minicamp in late May or at least a few of their Organized Team Activities -- even when he was healthy Favre never was big on participating in offseason activities -- but the team has only six such workouts remaining. Those will run through Friday, with two more scheduled for next Monday and Tuesday.

So why put the screws to Favre at this late date? Given the Mortensen-Werder story is likely to have come from the Favre camp, it's possible Childress was thinking of giving Favre a deadline or even did so and has now pulled back.

Said Kirwan: "Remember how we said it at first. Is he healthy enough to play? He's in the process of having that resolved. Step two. Get a contract done. I don't think that's going to be a problem, either. So the first two hurdles are going to be easy to fly over ... for him to come in and be part of this program.

"And with OTAs winding down, and maybe that's a good thing because he's not ready to throw and all the business that goes on with football, maybe it's better if he comes in at a quiet period of time. I think he's on his way in. Friday may come, Friday may go and it will have nothing to do with him in a purple uniform."

It's interesting that Kirwan doesn't think Favre's contract will be an issue. He was due to make $13 million from the New York Jets in 2009 before he retired in February, but the Vikings almost certainly aren't going to give that type of a deal to a quarterback who turns 40 years old Oct. 10 and is coming off arm surgery.

Peter King of Sports Illustrated speculated Monday that the longtime Green Bay Packers star might get a one-year deal at $8 million to $10 million, maximum, with incentives. The Vikings are about $17.5 million under the salary cap.

Without prompting, Cook gave an interesting quote to the Associated Press on Friday that sounded as if he was trying to sell the Vikings on Favre. Or perhaps up the price.

"I would think [the Vikings] would pull out all the stops if they want to get the guy," Cook said. "I think Brett Favre just brings a whole new ballgame to any ballclub. That's no reflection on the guys that are on their team at quarterback right now, but Brett's in a different league than most."

Judd Zulgad • jzulgad@startribune.com