I don't know about you, but I'm stunned.

Brett Favre is staying retired.

Packers fans throughout the land may feel elated.

I'm just stunned.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported the news late this afternoon. Vikings coach Brad Childress told beat writer Judd Zulgad -- who has been eating, breathing and sleeping the story for weeks -- of Favre's decision a day before players were to report to training camp in Mankato.

I thought he was going to play again. Whether he was a smashing success or a spectacular failure, I was looking forward to following the story.

Now, that's not going to happen.

Childress said that Favre, who turns 40 in October, cited the mental and physical grind of training camp when informing the team of his decision.

Favre underwent surgery in late May to repair a partially torn biceps tendon and began working out with receivers at a high school in Hattiesburg, Miss. The fact that he underwent the procedure and rehab made many believe that he was coming back to play.

Heck, most people figured Favre's return was a lock when he asked the Jets to relinquish their rights to him after the NFL Draft.

Favre's decision means that Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels will compete for the starting job at quarterback, which is considered a weak position on Minnesota's roster. It also means that there will be considerably less hype surrounding the "Monday Night Football" matchup between the Packers and Vikings Oct. 5 at the Metrodome and the rematch Nov. 1 at Lambeau Field.

The Vikings still have a strong team, but some will question whether the flirtation with Favre will impact team chemistry. Some veteran players sent text messages to the quarterback, urging him to join the team.

Childress told the Star Tribune that "it was a rare opportunity to explore a Hall of Fame quarterback who had background in the NFC and in this division."

"He knows our system inside out ... This doesn't change anything about how I feel about our football team."

The games against the Vikings are always big ones for the Packers and their fans. This year, however, they won't be as big as they could have been.

That's not necessarily a bad thing. Favre's mediocre season with the Jets will be more of a blip on the screen and the healing process between him and the Packers should progress more quickly now that he's not going to suit up for a rival.

As a journalist, the news doesn't really strike me as good. It's just stunning.