Packer Players, Management React to Brett Favre Joining Vikings

News of Brett Favre's decision to hop on a plane from Mississippi to Minnesota traveled fast Tuesday. While Viking fans reacted with elation and nearly rioted on team headquarters, there was also reason to reach across the border for reaction from Green Bay.

The Packers were practicing when the news broke, but reporters flocked for the chance to ask players, coaches, and the general manager for their thoughts. To the surprise of precisely no one, the media didn't get much out of their energy and zeal for a story.

It seems that not many people in Green Bay were willing to talk about Favre, Aaron Rodgers included.

"I don't have a reaction," said Aaron Rodgers. "It doesn't pertain to me. It has absolutely nothing to do with me. It doesn't change anything. It has nothing to do with the Green Bay Packers."

"I ain't worrying about it to be honest," said receiver Donald Driver.

Charles Woodson was asked if he thought Favre can still play at 40 (his birthday is on October): "I don't know, I think you'd have to ask Brett that. That don't really concern me. That's Minnesota's deal."

"After all those years of not being able to hit him, do I want to hit him? Of course I want to hit him," said Nick Barnett. "He's an awesome guy. I wish him the best."

Head coach Mike McCarthy didn't say much, but did offer some thoughts on Favre missing all of the Vikings' training camp.

"I'm not surprised by it. I don't think anybody should be surprised by it," said McCarthy.

McCarthy added that the Packers always looked forward to playing the Vikes, and that this doesn't add any extra juice?

"I have no comment about it," said McCarthy. "We're a football team that's looking to improve. If he's going to play, that's obviously his choice."

McCarthy was also asked, as a coach who's a big believer in the off-season work and training camp, if he could envision signing a starting quarterback after training camp is already over (it ended last week)?

"I don't think you ever close the door on potential player acquisition," said McCarthy. "To me it doesn't matter what time of year you bring them in. The quarterback position is in my view the most challenging when you bring a player in late because his responsibility mentally and learning a new language and obviously being the main communicator of that new language. But to me, player acquisition is 12 months out of the year."

On his Twitter page, running back Ryan Grant offered up some 140-character thoughts.

And to all the fans.. Everybody wants to know how we feel about brett coming back... I'm not surprised at all.. Figured he would.. Cont...

... And it really doesn't make a difference to me that he is playing 4 the vikes...our team still has just as many weapons..doesn't change goal

... IF brett wants to play then he should be allowed to play..especially if a team is willing to let him..doesnt change The packers goal. Miami

General manager Ted Thompson wasn't touching the topic.

"It's fine," Thompson said, when asked his reaction of Favre's return. "Frankly, I haven't received any inside information even more than you guys (reporters) have. We're still focused on getting our team ready for this weekend and certainly getting them ready for the first game against Chicago. If indeed that's the case (that Favre is going to the Vikings), there will be plenty of time to focus on that."

Asked if this made the Vikings a better team, he said, "I'm going to defer to those questions."

The Packers open the season against the Bears Sept. 13 at Lambeau Field. They host the Buffalo Bills in a preseason game Saturday night.