National Football League

Favre tells teammates he's returning, flies back to Minnesota

Published Aug. 17, 2010 8:00 p.m. ET

foxsports

The on-again, off-again drama that is Brett Favre now appears to be on again. A trio of Vikings teammates including Pro Bowl guard Steve Hutchinson, defensive end Jared Allen and kicker Ryan Longwell flew to Hattiesburg, Miss., to push Favre to give them one more season.

Favre informed the trio Tuesday that he is, in fact, back in and will rejoin the Vikings, FOXSports.com has learned.

The plane carrying Favre and the players landed at an airport outside Minneapolis on Tuesday afternoon. News helicopters followed his vehicle from a local airport and dozens of fans and media gathered at the entrance to Winter Park to greet him.

''Circus in Winter Park,'' tight end Visanthe Shiancoe tweeted.

However, while signs point to Favre coming back, neither he nor his agent have informed the team that he’s returning. And with Favre, another change of heart is certainly not out of the question.

Favre's official Web site e-mailed members of the media with the message: "Stay tuned for breaking news from the Minnesota Vikings today on Brett Favre's possible return."

This latest decision is a complete switch from two weeks ago, when Favre informed teammates that he was retiring — citing wear and tear on his body — in text messages seen by FOXSports.com. The team however, immediately responded by offering Favre more money, and teammates reached out imploring the quarterback to reconsider or to take more time.

Although Favre has frequently gone back and forth, it was widely assumed, in the end, that he would rejoin the Vikings. That belief was reinforced on Aug. 12 when the 11-time Pro Bowler and three-time All Pro traveled from Hattiesburg to Pensacola, Fla. to have his surgically repaired left ankle examined by Dr. James Andrews.

Tuesday’s morning meeting with Hutchinson, Allen and Longwell appears to have served its purpose. Favre, who led the Vikings to a 12-4 regular-season finish and the NFC title game last season, now appears fully prepared to play a 20th NFL season.

According to Scout.com's Tim Yotter and John Holler, Vikings backup quarterbacks Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels — who would likely battle for the starting job if Favre does not come back — both expressed their opinions about the ongoing drama.

Jackson said of his teammates' pursuit of Favre, “I really don’t care. I feel like if my number’s called, I’m going to be ready and I’m going to continue to try to work hard and get better. That’s all I can do.

“My teammates, that’s their prerogative. I can’t really control that, so I’m just going to do my part,” Jackson said.

Rosenfels is quoted as saying after practice, “I know some teammates aren’t here, but I don’t know where they’re at. That’s not my business ... My mind hasn’t been on that situation and I haven’t really talked to guys about it.”

The Vikings issued a media schedule for Wednesday, announcing that coach Brad Childress will hold his regular news conference following practice. The team also said that a ''media availability with QB Brett Favre is to be determined.''

The Associated Press contributed to this report.