Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ben Leber is confident that quarterback Brett Favre will return for the 2010 season, the Argus Leader reports.

"My gut feeling is that he'll be back," Leber said after speaking to kids in Sioux Falls, South Dakota about the NFL's "Fuel Up to Play 60" program on Saturday. "He's in a comfortable environment, he had the best year of his career stat-wise, and he's got great chemistry with the guys in the locker room.

"He's earned the right to listen to his body and mind and take the time to make sure he's mentally right and ready to play. We're willing to wait for him."

Leber's gut feeling remains the same as it was during an appearance on NFL Total Access on the NFL Network in February. However, Leber has become more patient than he was nearly two months ago.

"We would love to have the guy back. My gut feeling is that he is going to come back," Leber said. "I think a respectable timetable would be to let us know as early as possible.

"I think waiting all the way until the end is just going to be detrimental to this team," Leber added. "I think he's going to make decision quick, and I hope he does."

If the Vikings thought Favre retiring had a good chance of happening this off-season, they would've pulled out all the stop to trade for Donovan McNabb. So while no public decision has been made, based on his actions, Brad Childress has to be pretty confident Favre will return in 2010.