Packers willing to pay Favre not to play?

Jul 31, 2008 - 4:34 AM HATTIESBURG, Mississippi (Ticker) -- Green Bay Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy met with Brett Favre and his agent James "Bus" Cook on Wednesday.

Murphy flew to Mississippi on Tuesday night for discussions aimed at keeping Favre out of training camp until the messy situation can be resolved. It appears the team is willing to go to great lengths to make that happen.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette, citing a source, reported late Wednesday that Murphy proposed an idea of paying Favre approximately $20 million over 10 years to stay retired.

Favre, who spent about 3 1/2 hours in the meeting with Murphy and Cook before departing, is not interested, according to his agent.

"We're going to do whatever Brett wants to do," Cook told the Hattiesburg American after the meeting. "And right now, his intention is to go back to Green Bay and play football."

"It's a standoff," a source close to Favre told the Press-Gazette.

The Packers released a statement from Murphy on Wednesday night which shed little light on the stalement between the team and the league's only three-time Most Valuable Player.

"I was in Hattiesburg today and had a nice visit with Brett Favre. We discussed a number of topics not related to football, including Brett's long-term relationship with the Packers," Murphy said in a statement. "I consider our conversation to be confidential and am going to be respectful of Brett and his family and keep the details private.

"Ted and Mike (general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy) are going to continue to work on the football side of this issue. They have my full support."

A spokesman for Cook's office had told PA SportsTicker that the parties involved would "probably be meeting for a good portion of the day."

Favre, who announced his retirement at a tearful press conference in March, faxed his reinstatement letter to the NFL offices Tuesday.

Once Favre is granted reinstatement - a step considered a formality - by Commissioner Roger Goodell, the Packers will have 24 hours to release Favre or return him to their active roster.

The NFL announced that Goodell will not act upon Favre's petition to be reinstated on Wednesday.

"The commissioner is taking no action today," league spokesman Greg Aiello said. "He wants to give both the Packers and Brett an appropriate amount of time to make decisions, including decisions impacting the team's roster and salary cap. When Brett is reinstated by the commissioner, we will announce it."

The team will not practice on Thursday, meaning the earliest Favre can show up at training camp is Friday.

Cook told ESPN on Wednesday that it's highly unlikely Favre will be quarterbacking the Packers this season.

"He would love to go back to Green Bay," Cook said. "Right now, it looks like he'll be the quarterback at Oak Grove High School (where Favre has been working out)."

Favre, who has two years remaining on his contract, approached the Packers earlier this month about returning. However, the team has tried to move on without him and coach Mike McCarthy already has tabbed Aaron Rodgers as his starting quarterback.

Favre has asked to be released, something Packers general manager Ted Thompson has said the team would not do.