Perhaps the Vikings and Brett Favre were never meant to be a match.

Vikings head coach Brad Childress reportedly told the Star Tribune in Minneapolis that Favre plans to stay retired. Childress believes that Favre was not prepared to handle the daily physical and mental grind of a full season.

Favre informed his would-be coach of his decision by phone one day before players were to start reporting to Mankato, Minn., for training camp. Practices begin on Friday.

Childress was mostly silent on the Favre chatter until the past month or so when he discussed the team's interest in the future Hall of Fame QB.

“It was a rare and unique opportunity to consider adding not only a future Hall of Fame quarterback but one that is very familiar with our system and division," Childress said in a statement. "That does not detract from the team that we have. As we have consistently communicated, we feel good about our team and they have put forth a tremendous effort this offseason preparing for the season ahead.  With this behind us, we look forward to getting to Mankato and getting training camp under way.”

The offseason NFL talk once again had been dominated about Favre possibly joining the Vikings, a Super Bowl-caliber team with questions at quarterback. The talk started last season when Favre wanted out of Green Bay, before a trade sent him to the Jets.

Although Favre played well over the first 11 games of the season, he struggled late — hampered by a torn biceps — and the Jets missed the playoffs. He was released this offseason, which opened the door for him to join any other team, even though Favre said he would retire.

Favre had the biceps operated on this offseason and appeared in line to join the Vikings, who currently have Sage Rosenfels, Tarvaris Jackson and John David Booty at QB. But recent reports surfaced that Favre was wavering and was concerned that his 39-year-old body (he turns 40 on Oct. 10) might not hold up over the course of the season.

Now, the starting position appears to be a derby between Rosenfels and Jackson. The team traded for Rosenfels, one of the better backups in the league who has 12 career starts, from the Texans this offseason. Jackson started five games and endured a roller-coaster season that included a strong finish before he struggled in the home playoff loss to the Eagles.

There were reports that Jackson would request a trade if Favre signed with the team. Now he has a chance to regain the starting spot, although many feel Rosenfels is the favorite. The two likely will battle in training camp and should get a fairly even split of reps in practices and preseason games.

Booty reportedly intrigues some on the Vikings, but an interesting name could be added to the mix. One day before Favre's announcement, Michael Vick was granted a conditional reinstatement to the NFL by commissioner Roger Goodell. There was some sentiment when the Favre rumors were rekindled this offseason that Vick would be the better option. It is not clear if the team has any interest in the free-agent QB.

The Favre story has been a lightning rod for attention this offseason. In a recent PFW poll, more than 60 percent of readers said he should stay retired. Former and current players also have chimed in on whether Favre should have returned.

“He has seen it all,” said ingoing Hall of Fame OG Randall McDaniel, who spent most of his career with the Vikings before the Favre announcement. “Nothing out there would surprise him.

“Nothing against the younger guys,” McDaniel said, “Sage, Tarvaris … they’re going to be good players down the road. But when you get the opportunity to learn from the best and watch what he does in those situations, it’s worth taking advantage of.”

Longtime Vikings WR Cris Carter, now an ESPN analyst, told PFW in July that Favre would have been a good addition and that he should be able to play if he wanted to.

Said Carter: “I can look at every position and say, can I upgrade this position? I don’t think there will be backlash in that locker room, even with the way he’s coming in. There’s no hurdle to overcome before he gets there. … I think he is better than the guys they have. Last year he was pretty good before he got hurt. You can see why he struggled. No one throws the ball well with a torn biceps."

Vikings WR Bobby Wade — without mentioning Favre by name last month — told PFW he was impressed by what Rosenfels and Jackson have endured and had liked what he saw in each so far this offseason.

“I thought they have done a really good job,” Wade said. “Obviously, it’s hard with the speculation of whether he [Favre] will be a Viking this year. They seem prepared — preparing themselves as if they are the starters.

“Sage has done really well with picking up the offense. Tarvaris has done really well working on the things he needed to get better with from last year. There’s going to be a competition. I think Coach [Childress] has kind of left that one open, and they both understand that. As long as they continue to compete, I think we’ll get the best out of them.”

Wade said the Vikings' players' reactions to the Favre talk had been mixed.

“It’s kind of tough to say,” Wade said by phone from Arizona in late June. “I would say guys are torn, obviously. Guys want to know what group we are going to have. However, nothing is really done until [training] camp. As long as things are done and solidified by camp, I don’t think it’s a problem whether the guy is going to be there or not be there.

“[Camp is] when you really get to see what kind of team you have.”

What the Vikings for sure will have is a team without Favre, for better or for worse.

Kickoff is coming! Be sure to buy copies of the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports 2009 NFL preview magazine, as well as the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football Guide 2009, both of which are now available at bookstores, newsstands and retail outlets where magazines are sold. Or order your copies online at PFWStore.com.