While the Minnesota Vikings encouraged Brett Favre to recruit free agent running back LaDainian Tomlinson, a team source said that the quarterback limited his role to texting Tomlinson because of lingering uncertainty about his own NFL future.
Favre told Tomlinson that he had "no clue" whether he would return to the Vikings for what would be his 20th season in the league. Having spent the 2008 season with the New York Jets, Favre simply told Tomlinson that both franchises were led by good people who could help make the running back successful, according to the source.
Vikings coaches requested Favre's assistance in wooing Tomlinson, but he decided he could not be as involved as the team hoped because his own decision has not been made and he did not want to mislead Tomlinson.
On Sunday, the New York Jets signed Tomlinson to a two-year contract. A source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that the deal is worth $5.1 million with an escalator that could boost it to $5.6 million.
Newsday reported Monday that a source familiar with the Vikings situation said that Favre was heavily involved in the recruitment of Tomlinson late last week.