Vikings say they are still interested in signing Favre

MARSHALL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have spoken: Yes, they’re interested in Brett Favre.

The Vikings broke their silence Monday, with president Mark Wilf saying the team is considering the supposedly retired star.

“He’s a Hall of Fame quarterback. He’s a great competitor,” Wilf said.

“Ultimately, you’ll have to ask Brett what his plans are, but sure there’s interest in Brett Favre. But again, it’s part of a process we have in general with any of our players. We’re always looking to make our team better.”

Several conflicting and contradictory media reports swirled last week around the possibility of Favre, who retired for the second time at the end of last season, returning to play for the Vikings.

Neither Favre nor the Vikings commented last week, which only added more confusion to the situation.

Favre was released by the New York Jets on April 28 and issued a statement that said, “At this time, I am retired and have no intention of returning to football.”

He hasn’t been heard from since.

“That type of decision is up to Brett Favre, and I’ll leave it to Brett Favre to give you that answer,” Wilf said.

Wilf, who along with brother Zygi purchased the team in 2005, spoke about Favre during a previously scheduled community visit. It was the first question asked by a fan during a panel discussion between Wilf and linebackers Chad Greenway and Ben Leber as part of a “You Made the Team” luncheon with the Marshall Chamber of Commerce.

Last year, Favre renounced his retirement from the Packers and, after being told Green Bay was going with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, it was believed that Favre wanted to play for the Vikings.

After a messy divorce with Green Bay, Favre was shipped to the Jets, where he threw 22 touchdown passes and 22 interceptions for a team that finished 1-4 to miss the playoffs.

The Vikings won the division without him, but have been unsettled at the sport’s most important position for the past three-plus years.

Quarterback continues to be viewed as one of the team’s few weak spots on an otherwise talent-laden roster.

“Last year it didn’t become a distraction and we kind of went through the same thing during training camp, which is right at the peak time,” Greenway said.

“For us, it’s like we battled through that, were NFC North champs from last year and it obviously didn’t affect us. We got off to a relatively good start so I don’t think that had any type of effect.”