Packers president Murphy backs GM, coach in Favre standoff

Favre has flip-flopped before about his football future, but never like this. He teased the Packers earlier in the offseason and seemed set to unretire in late March, only to change his mind once again. His 11th-hour desire to unretire drew a decidedly lukewarm reception from the team this time.

So Favre's agent asked the Packers to release him from his contract last week, something Thompson has said the Packers have no plans to do. Releasing Favre would allow him to sign with any team he wants -- perhaps even division rival Minnesota.

Unless he is released or traded, Favre's rights belong to the Packers until his current contract expires after the 2010 season.

The Packers have filed tampering charges against the Vikings, believing that offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, Favre's former quarterbacks coach in Green Bay, had contact with Favre that violated an NFL rule prohibiting teams from trying to "impermissibly induce a person to seek employment" while they are employed by another team.

A person familiar with the Packers' complaint told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Packers officials have expressed a belief that interest from the Vikings is the main reason Favre suddenly is considering a return to the NFL. The person requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

On Wednesday, Favre's agent, Bus Cook, told ESPN that he and Favre have "no definite plans to ask for reinstatement" and it was up to the Packers to decide what to do next.

But Favre will remain on the Packers' reserve/retired list unless he applies to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for reinstatement, a move that would force the Packers to either release him or return him to their active roster.