Brad Childress is reviewing contract extension that would keep him in Minnesota through 2013.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota coach Brad Childress said Thursday he is reviewing an offer from the Vikings on a contract extension.

Childress spoke briefly to reporters after practice, but did not say an agreement has been reached.

"I haven't signed anything yet. I haven't read anything yet," Childress said. "I have a document I have to look at. I'm going to go upstairs and read that document and see what it says. I just want to go up and look at the language."

Citing an unidentified source, ESPN.com reported that the extension would keep Childress in Minnesota through the 2013 season.

Childress was hired in 2006 by owner Zygi Wilf and is the fourth year of a US$10-million, five-year deal. The Vikings have improved each year under his watch. They went 6-10 in 2006, 8-8 in 2007 and 10-6 with an NFC North title last season.

With Brett Favre at the helm, the Vikings are 8-1 and battling with the undefeated Saints for the top seed in the NFC.

"I am grateful for the opportunity I was given," Childress said. "I've got a good group of guys in the locker room, which I've said over and over. I've got a great ownership group. Not only am I grateful for them, they've been good owners from a standpoint of empowering us with players. They listen. There's a good dialogue."

The Wilfs have opened their wallets to sign big-money players like defensive end Jared Allen, who leads the league in sacks, all-pro guard Steve Hutchinson and receiver Bernard Berrian.

They have also poured money into upgrading the team's headquarters in Eden Prairie and steadfastly supported Childress even when he was the subject of criticism by fans early in his tenure.

"They have to buy into the vision of how you see the Minnesota Vikings going forward and we've been good enough to be able to fulfil part of that vision," Childress said.