LOS ANGELES // The NFL commissioner Roger Goodell expects a resolution in the stalemate between the Green Bay Packers and Brett Favre today - and he will step in to resolve it if need be. Goodell told the NFL Network that the sides are still engaged in talks aimed at determining whether Favre accepts a long-term personal-services contract - meaning he will be paid for not playing - or asks the commissioner to act on his petition for reinstatement so he can play at least one more season.
"Both parties are talking, the Green Bay Packers and Brett and I think the discussions are moving ahead," Goodell said. "I would hope we'll have something resolved by Monday." For the fifth consecutive day, Goodell did not reinstate Favre, apparently hopeful that the team and the franchise icon can come to an agreement on an offer of approximately $20 million (Dh73.4 million) over 10 years from the team to stay retired. The proposal was first brought up to Favre shortly following his retirement and discussed again during a day-long meeting between the Packers CEO and the president Mark Murphy, Favre and the quarterback's agent James "Bus" Cook in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Aside from giving the sides ample time to come to a resolution, Goodell postponed a decision so as not to let a potential return by Favre to Green Bay overshadow the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Canton, Ohio.
Favre, who has two years remaining on his contract, announced his retirement in March but approached the Packers earlier this month about returning. However, the team told him they had moved on and coach Mike McCarthy has already chosen Aaron Rodgers as his starting quarterback. With a return to Green Bay as a back-up deemed unacceptable, Favre has asked the Packers to trade him - preferably to the Minnesota Vikings, bitter NFC North rivals.
The Packers general manager Ted Thompson has said that trading Favre to division rivals was not an option, though there are reports that the Packers are prepared to engage in trade talks with the Vikings if Favre rebuffs their offer. If Favre decides he wants to play and is reinstated by Goodell today, he may arrive at the team's training camp tomorrow. * PA Sport