Brett Favre thinks he could still play in the NFL

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre calls out a play against Washington Redskins during the first quarter of their NFL football game in Landover, Maryland, November 28, 2010. (REUTERS/Jim Young)

Brett Favre’s confidence might be getting better with age, even if his throwing arm is not.

The 45-year-old retired quarterback, who last played in 2011 after two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and a brilliant career with the Green Bay Packers before that, told Sports Illustrated he still has it.

“I think I could play,” Favre said. “As far as throwing. Of course, we’re not trying to start some he’s-coming-out-of-retirement deal. Do I think I could play and lead a team? Look, no. But I could play. I could make all the throws I made before, I just couldn’t throw it near as far, but that never matters anyway.”

Favre said he can throw the football 50 yards. At the peak of his prime, he was slinging the pigskin between 75-80 yards.

ESPN reported in 2013 that the St. Louis Rams phoned Favre to gauge his interest and conditioning level when Sam Bradford was lost for the season to the first of two severe knee injuries.