Sources: Favre flip-flopped before draft
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In the latest chapter of Favre's retirement/comeback saga, the Green Bay Packers legend asked the team for his unconditional release on Friday, but FOXSports.com has learned that the organization has no intention of granting that request. If anything, sources say, the team would be prepared to welcome Favre back as a backup to quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Head coach Mike McCarthy and GM Ted Thompson addressed the issue publicly on Saturday.
"We've communicated (our position) to Brett, that we have since moved forward," Thompson said. "At the same time, we've never said that there couldn't be some role that he might play here. But I would understand his point that he would want to play."
When asked by The Associated Press whether that role might be as a backup or coach, Thompson said: "not a coach."
Added McCarthy: "He did ask about that, though."
Why the hard line from the Packers? Because this is not the first time Favre has waffled on the issue, and the last time he did, the quarterback's uncertainty threw the Packers' draft preparation into turmoil. Here's how it went down:
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Then, a few weeks ago, Favre phoned the team stating he had that "itch" again to play. However, since he had jilted the Packers in March, the team simply took his latest request with a grain of salt. In addition, the team has put considerable time and attention into making Rodgers comfortable as the heir apparent.
Rodgers has worked as the team's starter for the last five months and Green Bay has been operating under that assumption since Favre announced his retirement in early March. Favre reaffirmed his decision to retire at the end of March.
"Quite frankly, it's a little gut-wrenching as an organization to go through it, and certainly for Mike and myself," Thompson said. "This stuff hurts a lot of people. I mean, it hurts. I'm not talking about physically hurting, but the sensitivity. We understand where the fans are coming from. This is a hot-button issue that surpasses anything I've ever gone through."
Green Bay would likely trade Favre before releasing him, sources indicate. The team has the cap space to take on Favre's huge salary, but it would rather deal him than give him up for nothing, if those were the two options. Thompson said he had not received any inquiries as of Saturday morning.
The bottom line at this point is that we are far from the end of this drama.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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