The second Randy Moss era in Minnesota didn't even last a month before controversy struck.

Vikings coach Brad Childress told the team he would waive Randy Moss on Monday, one day after he criticized the head coach in a bizarre news conference following a 28-18 loss in New England. Vikings LB Ben Leber later confirmed Childress' statement.

The Vikings had acquired Moss from the Patriots for a third-round pick on Oct. 6.

On Monday night, Childress finally acknowledged the move and said it was made "in the best interests of the Minnesota Vikings."

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Moss, who is set to become a free agent after the season, will have to clear waivers before he becomes a free agent.

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Moss played in four games for the Vikings and caught 13 passes for 174 yards and two TDs.

After Sunday's game, Moss spoke glowingly of his time in New England. "Man, I miss them guys, man. I miss the team," Moss said. "It was hard for me to come here and play.

Childress said earlier Monday he allowed Moss to remain in New England after the game to be with family. Moss had expressed frustration with how Vikings coaches applied his advice on how to attack the Patriots, but Childress defended their approach.

"I think we did a pretty good job of heeding it," Childress said.

Asked if he regretted acquiring Moss, Childress said, "Do I regret acquiring him? Not at present I don't, no."

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Moss expressed frustration with Childress' decision to avoid a field-goal try for a failed fourth-and-goal run late in the first half on Sunday.

"I wish we could have had that three at the end of the half," said Moss, who had one catch in the loss. "Maybe could have been different, maybe not. ..."

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Moss was met with excitement in Minnesota when he arrived early last month. QB Brett Favre, who had once lobbied for the Packers to acquire Moss when he played in Green Bay, said he was "shocked" the Vikings were able to acquire him.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick dismissed reports that Moss was cut because of disciplinary issues, though play-caller Bill O'Brien later acknowledged an incident with Moss in an Oct. 4 win at Miami in which the receiver had no catches. Two days later, he was traded.

Moss' exit from Minnesota, where he played his first seven seasons, came with similar abruptness.

Leber said Vikings players were surprised by Moss' news conference on Sunday. "It was kind of just, 'Wow,' " Leber said, via the Pioneer Press. "It seemed like it was kind of unprompted."

The Vikings acquired Moss in part to help bolster their passing offense that has been without deep threat Sidney Rice all season. Rice has been on the PUP list with a hip injury. The Vikings must decide whether to activate him or put him on IR for the season.

Update, 6:11 p.m. ET: The SportsXchange and the NFL Network reported that Moss was not on the list of players on the waiver wire distributed to teams on Monday.

Update, 7:30 p.m. ET: Moss' agent, told the AP the slow pace of announcing the news was "merely a technical thing."

Update, 9:00 p.m. ET: Childress confirmed Moss' release.

-- Sean Leahy