A person with direct knowledge of Goodell’s interest said the commissioner has spoken with Packers management several times recently as tensions mounted between the three-time MVP quarterback and his team.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.
ESPN.com first reported Goodell’s interest in the Favre predicament, indicating that he encouraged Packers general manager Ted Thompson to survey teams to try to find a trade partner to resolve it quickly.
With the Packers committed to Aaron Rodgers as their starter and Favre apparently still intent on reversing his March decision to retire - although there are no reports that he has formally petitioned Goodell for reinstatement - the best outcome for both parties could be a trade.
Tampa Bay is emerging as perhaps the most likely place for Favre, although it is unclear whether Favre would be willing to play for the Buccaneers.
NFL.com reported Tuesday that the Packers had spoken to several teams to gauge interest in a trade for Favre. Tampa Bay officials have publicly downplayed interest in trading for Favre, but Bucs quarterback Chris Simms told the St. Petersburg Times that Bucs GM Bruce Allen asked him about Favre last week.
“He asked if I felt Brett would be able to come back and be good here if he didn’t have a lot of reps in training camp,” Simms said, according to the paper. “I said I thought he would but there would have to be some compromise with Coach (Jon) Gruden. He’ll just want the play called and to drop back and throw it in there.”
Gruden was a Packers assistant coach from 1992-94 and runs a version of the West Coast offense Favre would be familiar with. The Packers play the Bucs Sept. 28 in Tampa.
Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said he “can’t imagine” seeing Favre anywhere other than Green Bay but isn’t surprised that he wants to play again.
Urlacher said Chicago wasn’t a likely destination for Favre.
“For us? I don’t think that’s a possibility,” he said. “If they do trade him, I don’t think it’s going to be in our division, No. 1. Maybe not even in our conference.”
Favre made an appearance at Lambeau Field on Saturday to present former teammate Frank Winters for induction to the Packers Hall of Fame, but declined to discuss his rift with the team. Favre accepted a team MVP award that night, calling himself “an old, gray-haired quarterback showing I can still do it.”
Favre retired in early March but recently has been having second thoughts about playing in 2008. But the latest, and most intense, episode in several offseasons’ worth of Favre’s flip-flopping on his future in football was met with lukewarm enthusiasm by the Packers, who spent the offseason planning to move forward with Rodgers.
Favre asked to be released from his contract, a request the team has no plans to grant. The next step for Favre could be to petition Goodell for reinstatement, a move that would force the Packers to release him or place him on their active roster. He also could be traded.
