Favre's latest move forces Packers' hand

7/30/2008

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Brett Favre's decision to file for reinstatement will force the Green Bay Packers to do one of three things: release him, trade him, or allow him to report to camp.

If he reports, it potentially could cause a major distraction for a team that committed to moving on after he retired in March.

NFL spokesman Randall Liu confirmed that Favre sent his reinstatement paperwork to the NFL offices yesterday. He is awaiting approval from commissioner Roger Goodell, a step that is considered a formality, but wouldn't be forthcoming until today at the earliest.

Once Favre is reinstated, the Packers will have 24 hours to decide what to do with him.

"That's obviously the first step in Brett coming back, so we'll deal with that when he is reinstated and we'll definitely have a plan in order," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said after practice yesterday.

If Goodell reinstates Favre today, his return to the practice field for the Packers could come Friday.

Throughout Favre's latest round of flip-flopping on his football future, Packers officials have said that Favre had the option of rejoining the team - but Aaron Rodgers would be the starter.

"Brett Favre is still a very good football player," McCarthy said. "He is an asset to our football team. Once again, I'm going to answer this question for the last time. The plan for Brett Favre will be discussed with Brett Favre first, and then we'll make it aware to the public."