Goodell monitoring Favre situation
Thursday, July 24, 2008 10:50 AM PDT
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| Morry Gash | Associated Press
In this Jan. 16, 2008, file photo, Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre answers a question during a news conference in Green Bay, Wis. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is monitoring the ongoing rift between the Packers and Favre. |
MILWAUKEE (AP) — NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is monitoring the ongoing rift between the Green Bay Packers and Brett Favre.
A person with direct knowledge of Goodell’s interest said the commissioner has spoken with Packers management several times recently as tensions mounted between the three-time MVP and his team.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.
ESPN.com first reported Goodell’s interest in the Favre predicament, indicating that Goodell encouraged Packers general manager Ted Thompson to survey teams around the league to try to find a trade partner in hopes of resolving it quickly.
With the Packers committed to moving forward with Aaron Rodgers as their starter and Favre apparently still intent on reversing his decision to retire in March — although there have been no reports that Favre has formally petitioned Goodell for reinstatement — the best outcome for both parties could be a trade.
And Tampa Bay is emerging as perhaps the most likely destination for Favre, although it is unclear whether Favre would be willing to play for the Buccaneers.
NFL.com reported Tuesday that the Packers had spoken to several teams to gauge their interest in a trade for Favre. Tampa Bay officials have publicly downplayed interest in trading for Favre, but Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms told the St. Petersburg Times that Bucs general manager Bruce Allen asked him about Favre last week.
‘‘He asked if I felt Brett would be able to come back and be good here if he didn’t have a lot of reps in training camp,’’ Simms said, according to the paper.
Gruden was a Packers assistant coach from 1992-94 and runs a version of the West Coast offense Favre would be familiar with.
The Packers play the Buccaneers Sept. 28 in Tampa.
Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said he ‘‘can’t imagine’’ seeing Favre anywhere other than Green Bay.
