Report: Vikings have interest in Driver

By Paul Imig
FOXSportsWisconsin.com

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Could Donald Driver play for the Minnesota Vikings next season?

According to a report from FOX 11 Sports in Green Bay, the Vikings are interested in signing the Packers' all-time leading receiver. Driver, who will turn 38 on Feb. 2, is an unrestricted free agent after spending all 14 of his NFL seasons in Green Bay.

Driver has a close working relationship with the news outlet reporting the story, having hosted the "Inside the Huddle" show at that station for nearly a decade. The report didn't cite specific sources, instead stating that they've "learned" that the Vikings have an interest in Driver, should he decide not to retire.

"I think I could go to any team and be either their No. 1 or No. 2 guy and be solid for another three years," Driver told FOX 11 two weeks ago. "The question is, do I want to see myself in another uniform? Will my family want to see that? If nobody wants to see it, at the end of the day, it will still be a tough decision because I've always said I only want to wear that green and gold and nothing else."

A week ago, USA Today reported that Driver was leaning toward retirement. 

However, Driver has stated repeatedly over the past year that he'd like to play until he's 40 years old, which would mean a couple more seasons in the NFL. That potential opportunity to do so would not be with the Packers considering that Driver was rarely used this season, catching only eight passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns.

Driver, the winner of "Dancing with the Stars" a year ago, has plenty of non-football-related offers in the entertainment world. Therefore, he could quickly transition to another high-profile career if he does choose to retire from the NFL.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was asked on his weekly radio show Tuesday about Driver's future and the Vikings' reported interest.

"Donald has had an incredible career," Rodgers said on his ESPN Wisconsin radio show. "I've been fortunate enough to play with him for eight years. It's just been a pleasure, a pleasure to be around the guy. I think he does it the right way, has been a Packer his entire career, endeared himself to the fans, has made a ton of plays for us.

"I've really enjoyed my time with him and I think he'll have no problem transition to something in the entertainment business. Or in sports business, because he's a very intelligent guy who understands football and can talk about it.

"I'm sure he'll be great at whatever he decides to do."

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