Brett Favre began his day Tuesday in Mississippi and was throwing passes in Minnesota for the Vikings in the afternoon. (Hannah Foslien/Associated Press)Brett Favre isn't letting go of the NFL just yet.
The 17-year veteran flew from his home in Mississippi to Minnesota on Tuesday, promptly signed with the Vikings, and was already throwing passes to his teammates in the afternoon.
During practice, Favre was wearing a jersey bearing his traditional No. 4.
"I felt I did everything I possibly could do to get where I need to be," Favre said during a Tuesday night press conference. "You're 39, your arm may not feel like it did at 21. But the pieces are in place that you don't have to do that much and I agree with that.
"If they were willing to take that chance, I was, too."
The deal comes less than one month after Favre publicly stated he was not up for the rigours, mentally or physically, of another season. He ultimately changed his mind saying he didn't want to have any regrets.
"I don't know how I'll feel a year from now, five years from now, but I didn't want to say what if?" he said.
Terms were not disclosed, but ESPN is reporting it's a two-year deal paying Favre $12 million US this season and $13 million next year. Both payouts are guaranteed if Favre is on the roster at the start of each season.
"The guys will learn him, he'll learn them and we've got a whole month to put this thing together," said Vikings head coach Brad Childress.
Lots of potential
If Favre can click with his new team, the Vikings could have one of the most potent offences in the league. Along with Favre, a 10-time Pro Bowler with a Super Bowl ring to his name, Minnesota has the reigning NFL rushing leader in Adrian Peterson.
In his 16 years as a Green Bay Packer, Favre was at the centre of many clashes between the NFC North Division foes, and will be there again — albeit in purple — on Oct. 4 and Nov. 1 when the two teams face each other this season.
The latter date will mark the first time Favre will step out onto the frozen tundra at Lambeau Field as a member of the opposition.
"The bottom line is it's football," Favre said. "Once you step into the huddle, I don't look at the helmets. I look at the faces."
The NFL's all-time leader in passing yardage, touchdowns and interceptions had a contentious split following his final season with the Packers in the summer of 2008, after deciding he had been too hasty in announcing his retirement earlier in the year.
He joined the Jets late in the summer and went on to throw 22 touchdowns and 22 interceptions during the season.
Favre and the Jets struggled down the stretch, with Favre believing his personal woes were related to the arm injury. When the Jets released Favre in April, he and the Vikings began talking.
Odd men out
Vikings quarterbacks Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels were supposed to compete for the starting job before Favre's abrupt appearance.
Rosenfels was traded from Houston to Minnesota this off-season with the express purpose of competing for a starting position, the first time he's had the opportunity to do so in nine seasons.
"We knew all along that this was a possibility," Jackson said. "You can't always believe what you hear, especially on TV."
Favre's arrival could signal the end for Jackson in Minnesota. The Vikings also have prospect John David Booty, who had to switch from No. 4 to No. 9 with Favre coming to the team.
"It's not a good feeling but you have to take it for what it's worth and try and get better from it," Jackson said.
Favre has been working out at a Hattiesburg high school this summer to test his right arm after undergoing surgery to repair a torn biceps tendon.
With files from The Associated Press
