DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Squire/Getty The Brett Favre saga continues in Miss. on Wednesday.
GREEN BAY - Brett Favre is intent on playing again and reporting to Packers camp. And apparently not even a heap of money can make him change his mind.
According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, a source close to Favre said the Packers offered to pay the quarterback a substantial amount of money to remain retired and away from Packers camp. And WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee cites two sources who say Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy raised the possibility of paying Favre $20 million over 10 years to stay retired when he met with Favre and his agent, James (Bus) Cook, in an all-day meeting Wednesday in Hattiesburg, Miss.
The two sides held the day-long summit in an effort to end a standoff that has had more twists and turns than one of Favre's patented improvised scrambles. But the quarterback, who wants to start for the Packers or be released, is still stuck in limbo.
"We're going to do whatever Brett wants to do," Cook told reporters in Mississippi, after calling the talks "amicable." "And right now his intention is to go back to Green Bay and play football."
Murphy, who flew to Mississippi on a private jet late Tuesday night to try to find a way to keep Favre from reporting to Packers camp - which could happen as early as tomorrow - appears to have failed in his mission.
"I was in Hattiesburg today and had a nice visit with Brett Favre," Murphy said in a statement released last night. "We discussed a number of topics not related to football, including Brett's long-term relationship with the Packers. I consider our conversation to be confidential and am going to be respectful of Brett and his family and keep the details private. Ted (Thompson, the Packers GM) and Mike (McCarthy, the head coach) are going to continue to work on the football side of this issue. They have my full support."
Instead of reinstating Favre Wednesday after the three-time MVP filed his papers to the league office on Tuesday afternoon, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell gave Favre and the Packers another day to work out some sort of compromise to the league's most riveting soap opera.
Favre, who worked out at nearby Oak Grove High School in the morning, sat in on the meeting at Cook's office in Hattiesburg for more than three hours before leaving without comment, according to the Hattiesburg American. Cook and Murphy remained in discussions for the rest of the afternoon.
The Packers, who have meetings today but no practice, want to avoid the circus-like atmosphere that would disrupt their training camp and possibly stunt the growth of starter Aaron Rodgers should Favre arrive here. Also, the Packers will host their annual "Family Night" on Sunday and they want to avoid the bizarre spectacle of fans watching the franchise's future Hall of Famer and beloved quarterback stand on the sideline as Rodgers' backup.
Favre's reinstatement is a mere formality; however, Goodell hopes to have some kind of resolution before reinstating Favre. Once Goodell reinstates him, the Packers go on the clock - they'd have 24hours to place him on the active roster, trade him or release him.
Favre, who has three years left on his contract and would make $12 million this season under that deal, wants his old job back or an unconditional release to join a team such as Minnesota, where he would turn the Vikings into instant contenders. The Packers want him to stay retired and have no intention of releasing him. They have also told him that he cannot compete for his old job, either. Green Bay is willing to trade the three-time MVP, but not to a division rival.
Favre, 38, reportedly told Thompson he is open to being traded, but not just to the two teams that the Packers gave permission to talk to Favre - the Jets and Buccaneers.
It's clear that the Favre saga is wearing on the Packers. They insist they moved on after Favre retired in March and are committed to Rodgers, who has been waiting in the wings for the past three seasons.
"Both parties want to move forward and want a resolution," said defensive end Aaron Kampman. "This is getting very drawn out from both sides and quite frankly everyone wants it to be over. It's kind of pointless to keep going at it."
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