While the next step in Brett Favre's plan to return to the field remains unclear, the latest twist in the saga surrounding the future Hall of Fame quarterback is that the Green Bay Packers are serious about keeping him away from NFC North rivals.
The Packers have filed tampering charges with the NFL against the Minnesota Vikings for what they deem to be "illegal contact" with Favre, reports NFL Network's Adam Schefter.
The NFL is believed to be already investigating the charges. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the league had no comment on the report. Packers general manager Ted Thompson also declined comment on tampering rumors in an interview with The AP on Saturday. The AP left a phone message for Vikings spokesman Bob Hagan on Wednesday, seeking comment.
It's commonly known that Favre has a close relationship with Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who spent five seasons on the Green Bay staff, including the last three as quarterbacks coach.
The Packers have supplied league officials with what they view as evidence, reports Schefter.
If Favre does plan on returning to the field this season, it appears he's willing to take his time in doing so. He has publicly stated his intentions to play this season and has requested his release from the Packers, but has yet to file for reinstatement with the league.
"There's no set deadline for us to file for reinstatement," Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook, told Schefter during a brief telephone conversation Wednesday. "We have no definitive plans to file those papers. We have until the sixth week of the season to do that. That's not to say we wouldn't do it sooner. But right now we have no timeline to file any papers."
Reached Wednesday evening, Packers spokesman Jeff Blumb indicated to The AP that no response was forthcoming from the team.
The Packers placed Favre on the reserve/retired list on April 25, meaning that the future Hall of Famer no longer counted against the team's 80-player roster. To be reinstated off that list, Favre would have to send written notification to the Packers and the NFL of his intentions to play.
Once the league is notified, the Packers would have approximately 24 hours to make a decision to either activate or release Favre.
Favre spoke publicly for the first time about his latest retirement decision reversal in an interview with Fox News on "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren" earlier this week.
"The bottom line is, I may not play anywhere," Favre said during the interview. "If I'm going to play, it's going to be 100 percent commitment.
Favre wasn't certain where he would play if he did choose to return to the NFL.
"I've always been a Packer, always will be a Packer," he said. "Will I play somewhere else? Remains to be seen."
The Associated Press contributed to this report
