"Brett Favre has moved a step closer to officially ending his NFL career.

The Minnesota Vikings QB officially filed his retirement papers with the NFL. Fox Sports originally reported the story, and NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed the news to USA TODAY.

Favre, 41, said at several points this season that he did not expect to return for a 21st NFL season next year.

Favre (concussion, shoulder) did not play in three of the final four games of the season for the Vikings and saw his NFL-record streak of consecutive starts by a QB end at 297.

After the Vikings' finale, Favre said he was comfortable with his career ending."