And on the 87th day he was anguished.

Two-plus months after the Brett Favre-to-the-Vikings soap opera began, and days before a decision was expected to be announced, ESPN reported Thursday that the 39-year-old quarterback "remains anguished about whether he should come out of retirement and join the team."

Did anyone really think the saga would end Friday?

ESPN's latest report suggests that any decision by Favre probably won't come until next week and it even raises doubt about whether he will meet his self-imposed deadline of July 30. That is the drop-dead day for Vikings players to report to training camp in Mankato, with the first practice scheduled for the following day.

Citing a source, ESPN's Ed Werder reported that Favre is conflicted about returning for his 19th season in large part because of phone calls and text messages he has received from Vikings players urging him to be their QB. The report mentioned Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen and Steve Hutchinson.

Several Vikings have been in some form of contact with Favre in recent months, and ESPN reported Favre is beginning to feel a sense of obligation to Vikings players and the coaching staff because of their involvement in trying to get him to play.

"If it weren't for the involvement of the Vikings players directly telling Brett they want him on their team, I think he might have already decided against playing again," the source told Werder.

The fact that Vikings coaches and players are helping recruit Favre might require some damage control inside the locker room with current quarterbacks Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels if Favre ultimately decides not to play.