Brace yourself, Green Bay Packers fans. Brett Favre in Minnesota Vikings purple is another step closer to reality.

The iconic quarterback will meet with Vikings coach Brad Childress later this week at an undisclosed location to discuss joining the Packers’ NFC North division archrivals, an NFL source confirmed Tuesday evening. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Ed Werder, one of Favre’s media confidants.

The free agent quarterback, who turns 40 in October, retired Feb. 11 from the New York Jets, who granted the NFL’s all-time passing leader his release last week.

Favre spent the 2008 season with the Jets after the Packers traded him Aug. 6 in the aftermath of his first unretirement. Favre retired from the Packers at a tearful news conference on March 6, 2008.

Werder reported there is a mutual understanding that Favre will decide whether to sign with the Vikings not long after the meeting. The Vikings want Favre to fully participate in the team’s offseason minicamps and organized team activity workouts, which Favre missed last year.

Favre has not been working out and chose not to have surgery to repair the torn biceps tendon in his right (throwing) arm that bothered him the final month of last season, as the Jets stumbled to a 1-4 finish after opening the season 8-3, and Favre played poorly after a terrific start.

However, an NFL source said he was told that Favre re-hired personal trainer Ken Croner , and doctors reportedly told Favre after the season that the injury could heal on its own. Favre had a similar problem with his left shoulder while he played in Green Bay.

Favre wanted to play for the Vikings last season, but the Packers prevented that from happening by dealing him to the Jets and inserting into the trade a clause that required the Jets to give them three first-round picks if they traded him to an NFC North team.

In a conference call following his Feb. 11 announcement, Favre said he was retiring for good this time, but it would appear that his strong negative feelings toward Packers general manager Ted Thompson continue — at least in part — to fuel him in his desire to play.

Favre admitted that he was motivated to play in 2008 largely because of his resentment toward Thompson, whom he said he was interested in “sticking it to.”

Both Favre and Cook have said this spring that Favre intends to stay retired. But Favre’s statement after he was officially released by the Jets last week left the door open.

“At this time, I am retired and have no intention of returning to football,” he said.

Those three words — At this time — set off rampant speculation that he was indeed considering a second return to action.

The Vikings had planned to have Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels compete for the starting job in training camp after Gus Frerotte, who started 11 games and led the Vikings to a 10-6 record and division title, was not re-signed.

Asked during last weekend’s rookie orientation camp if he cared if Favre played for the Vikings, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said, “If Brett wants to play football, he should play football. That’s really my stance on it. If he still wants to play, he should take advantage of his opportunities.”

Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, did not immediately return a phone call to his Mississippi office left by The Associated Press. Childress didn't return a message, and a Vikings spokesman declined comment.

The Packers play the Vikings on “Monday Night Football” on Oct. 5 in Minneapolis, and Nov. 1 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.