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(AP) - Brett Favre asked the Packers to release him so he can return to
the NFL with another team after apparently being told his latest
retirement reversal wasn't welcome news in Green Bay.

      The team said it would do "what's right" in response to
Favre's request, which was first reported by ESPN.

      "Brett earned and exercised the right to retire on his terms,"
the team's statement said.

      "We wanted him to return and welcomed him back on more than one
occasion. Brett's press conference and subsequent conversations in
the following weeks illustrated his commitment to retirement. The
finality of his decision to retire was accepted by the
organization. At that point, the Green Bay Packers made the
commitment to move forward with our football team."

      The 38-year-old Favre retired March 6 after a 17-year career,
but almost immediately began dropping hints that he was having
second thoughts.

      The Packers statement said Favre now has the right to petition
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to be reinstated, at which point he
would return to the team's active roster.

      But the statement did not specify what the Packers would do
after that, beyond doing "what's right and in the best interest of
the team."

      If the team has committed to moving forward without Favre, their
options once he was reinstated would include trading him to another
team or releasing him so he would be free to sign with the team of
his choice. 

The Packers already have committed to going with
quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a first-round pick in 2005 who has been
sitting behind Favre for his first three seasons in the NFL.

      Releasing Favre presents the possibility that he will sign with
NFC North rivals Minnesota or Chicago, where he would be an upgrade
over the incumbent QBs. 

If the Packers traded him, there would be
teams outside the division such as Baltimore or Tampa Bay, and
perhaps Washington, that would be interested. 

There also has been
speculation he could go to Miami for disgruntled defensive end
Jason Taylor, the 2006 defensive player of the year.

      It would be an ugly end to what has been one of the most
celebrated partnerships in recent NFL history.

      "As with all Packers greats, Brett's legacy will always be
celebrated by our fans and the organization, regardless of any
change in his personal intentions," the statement said. "Brett
and Deanna will always be a part of the Packers family."

      ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Friday that sources close to
Favre and the team told him agent James "Bus" Cook asked the
Packers for Favre's release in a letter because the Packers were
not receptive to the idea of Favre wanting to play again.

Gallery

Brett Favre retires after 17 seasons with the Packers

Brett Favre asked the Packers to release him so he can return to the NFL with another team, after apparently being told his latest retirement reversal wasn't welcome news in Green Bay.

Favre wants release from Packers

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