Cross-posted at TheWisconsinSportsBar.
The NFL has confirmed an NFL Network report that it received a request from Brett Favre for reinstatement. Once Commissioner Roger Goodell approves the request, the Packers will have but 24 hours to reinstate him, complete a trade, or give him his outright release. Unless Goodell dwaddles, which I cannot discount, I expect that approval to happen tomorrow, with the reinstate/trade/release clock running out on Thursday.
The problem with the trade third is nobody outside the NFC North, where Ted Thompson desperately doesn’t want to see Favre end up, is willing to give up a third-rounder plus a defensive tackle for a diva whose current contract is for $12 million this year, $13 million next year and $14 million in 2010. This is despite reports of Goodell’s involvement in trade talks.
If the trade talks continue to sputter, I expect Thompson to “reinstate” Favre and promptly find a way to keep him off the active roster and out of training camp in order to preserve his lifelong dream of being the guy who retired Favre. That is likely to result in a grievance.
Barring the miracle trade, this one’s going to get even uglier.
Revisions/extensions (4:44 pm 7/30/2008) – The Green Bay Press-Gazette has a couple of more developments:
– Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy met with both Favre and agent James “Bus” Cook today, and during a short break, Cook said things “were going well”.
– The NFL announced that it would not take action on Favre’s reinstatement letter today to allow the team and Favre more time for the two sides to work out a solution.