Goodell watching Packers' predicament

July 24, 2008

The Brett Favre drama has officially moved to the next stage and the floor is open to anyone who wants to make a bid for the retired quarterback.

But there is reason to believe the Green Bay Packers aren't 100 percent serious about trading Favre, 38, and are simply acquiescing to his desire and the NFL to offer an avenue for him to play again.

Commissioner Roger Goodell has been in contact with general manager Ted Thompson several times and has urged him to find out whether there are teams interested in making a trade that would suit both sides' desires, ESPN.com reported. An NFL spokesman declined to confirm that Goodell had spoken to Thompson, saying only that "the commissioner has conversations with teams on a regular basis."

Thompson did not return a phone message seeking comment.

A well-connected NFL source told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Goodell wants the Packers to either find a trading partner or exhaust all possibilities, thereby making it clear to Favre what to do. The Packers, in turn, have contacted almost every team in the league with the exception of NFC North clubs and a few teams with established quarterbacks.

Tampa Bay is emerging as the most likely destination for Favre. 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, but Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms told the St. Petersburg Times that Bucs general manager Bruce Allen asked him last week about Favre, a three-time Most Valuable Player.

•Broncos Rod Smith, the franchise's career leader in every major receiving category, is planning to hold a news conference today amid published reports that he will retire. Smith's agent, Jack Mills, confirmed the event but declined to give details. Smith, 38, has been on the reserve/retired list since February and has had two hip operations in the past year.

•Raiders Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha will sign his $9.765 million tender offer and report to training camp in time for today's first practice, a person with knowledge of his plans told the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the contract had not been signed.

•Bears Pro Bowl kick returner Devin Hester was absent from Chicago's first training camp practice. He said he intends to hold out until he is granted a new deal.

•Lions Caleb Campbell will not get a chance to play for Detroit because of a change in military policy. Campbell was a seventh-round draft pick for the Lions in April. At the time, Army policy would have allowed the West Point graduate to serve as a recruiter if he made the team.

•Rams Defensive end Claude Wroten was suspended without pay for the season for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

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Goodell watching Packers' predicament

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Goodell watching Packers' predicament

Related topic galleries: Brett Favre, Contracts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rod Smith, Devin Hester, National Football League, Roger Goodell

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