Favre signs with Vikings

By Jim Hagerty, Staff Writer

Updated: Aug. 18, 2009, 8:37 p.m. CT

The in-again-out-again Brett Favre saga entered another “in” phase today, as the 39-year-old quarterback signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Favre worked out with the team, taking snaps and throwing to receivers after being picked up from a St. Paul airport by Vikings coach Brad Childress and driven to the team’s practice facility in Eden Prairie.

The future Hall of Famer, according to reports, signed a one-year deal, worth about $12 million with an option for a second season.

“My arm has felt good enough to feel confident enough to make the throws I need to make,” Favre said in Tuesday’s press conference. “There’s no guarantees, but they have a very good football team here. I don’t know what I am going to be asked to do. But I know one thing in particular, and that’s to be a leader.”

Favre led the Green Bay Packers to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, including a 35–21 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI.

He will enter his 19th NFL season when the Vikings travel to Cleveland Sunday, Sept. 13, where he is expected to make his 270th regular season start.

The Packers will first meet the now purple-clad Favre on Monday Night Football, Oct. 5 in Minnesota.

Favre came out of retirement before the 2008-09 season after 16 years with the Packers and rallied the Jets to an 8-3 record before losing four of the last five games. He announced his second retirement after the Jets missed the playoffs and head coach Eric Mangini was fired.