Vikings, Favre play waiting game

Brett Favre might never play another down for the Vikings, but right now he and the team certainly seem to be on the same page when it comes to an offseason game plan.

At the NFL Scouting Combine last week in Indianapolis, coach Brad Childress and vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman both said Favre was under no pressure from the organization to make up his mind about what he plans to do in 2010. Favre's agent, Bus Cook, also confirmed that the Vikings were keeping their distance.

Of all the things that Childress said last Friday while answering questions about Favre, the one thing that really caught my attention was when ESPN's Chris Mortensen asked Childress if he would be agreeable to going through a similar situation as what happened last offseason. In that case, Favre told Childress in late July he wasn't going to return and then reversed course in late August and came back.

Childress quickly responded that he would be willing to wait. That's a long time to cool your heels and there would appear to be a certain amount of risk involved, despite the fact we all think Favre is going to return. But after watching Favre appear on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno on Thursday, I'm pretty sure the Vikings are playing this the only way they can. That's to give Favre plenty of time and realize that by doing so the odds are excellent he will play another year.

Favre did not tell Leno much -- no one can be surprised by that -- but he did have one interesting comment when he said, "it's only been a month [since the season ended], and I know now that I'm just not going to say anything anytime soon."

Odds are good that Favre has shared this with the Vikings and that's part of the reason they appear content to wait. He has made quick decisions the past two offseasons, retiring in both cases. Both times Favre decided to return and thus made himself the butt of countless jokes. Although Favre likes to act as if he's a good sport, no one who is as competitive as he is really likes to be laughed at.

Favre has finally decided he needs to wait and, honestly, the Vikings have little to lose by allowing him that option. The guy proved he can do just fine without a full training camp in 2009. The only thing that waiting on Favre might do is kill a possible trade for a guy like Donovan McNabb and it remains uncertain if a deal between the Vikings and Eagles could be worked out or even if McNabb is really available.

As far as drafting a quarterback, if the Vikings elect to go that route, it's highly unlikely that Favre will care. He will be 41 in October and a guy like Colt McCoy isn't going to be a threat to him. Not saying that Favre will ever see himself as the mentoring type, but odds are good that a smart, young quarterback could learn plenty behind Favre just by watching and keeping his mouth shut.

The real question is this: When Favre says he's not going to say anything "anytime soon," what does that mean? Does that mean waiting until after training camp breaks in Mankato? Does it mean giving an answer in July with a promise to show up after the Vikings return from Mankato? Does it mean informing the team by early July if he doesn't get the itch to continue?

That's the big question and if you take Favre at face value even he doesn't know the answer.