GREEN BAY, WIS. - The Green Bay Packers, driven to the brink of desperation in their ongoing spat with Brett Favre, have discussed internally the possibility of trading the quarterback within the NFC North Division.

A source close to the situation told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Wednesday that the Packers were considering seeking a deal with one of their division rivals, most likely the Vikings or Chicago Bears, if backed into a corner by the NFL and public sentiment.

On Monday, GM Ted Thompson said flatly that the Packers would not trade Favre within the division. But having no prospects of trading Favre anywhere else and under increasing pressure from Commissioner Roger Goodell, the Packers are considering doing almost the unthinkable: not only trading Favre, but also to the Vikings, their opening night opponent.

An NFL source said he understood from the Packers that trading within the NFC North would be a last resort. They still hope to persuade Favre to be amenable to what the team regards as realistic trade possibilities with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets.

Although it has appeared to be quiet on the trading front in the last week, a deal with either team is far from dead. The Packers have had ongoing talks with both teams as recently as this week.

But Favre has frustrated the Packers by refusing to speak with officials from the Buccaneers or Jets. That makes it almost impossible for the deal to materialize.

The Packers remain adamant about not releasing Favre. With Goodell expected to act on Favre's request for reinstatement as soon as today, the Packers clearly don't want him in Green Bay and are running out of options.

On Wednesday, Packers President Mark Murphy met with James (Bus) Cook, Favre's agent, at Cook's law office in Hattiesburg, Miss., for about eight hours. The source said a central reason why Murphy went to Hattiesburg in the first place was that Goodell put heavy pressure on him to make the trip.

WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee reported that during the meeting, Murphy presented Favre and Cook with an offer in which the Packers would compensate Favre in the area of $20 million for the next 10 years in order to remain retired.

According to a source familiar with both sides, this was not the first time that the two sides had discussed a financial arrangement that would tie Favre to the organization for years to come. It is thought that the discussions began as early as a few months ago.

It remains unclear whether the offer was made shortly after Favre retired or when he began expressing a desire to play football again.

If the offer was made, some might interpret it as the Packers trying to buy off their Hall of Fame player.

Favre, who worked out Wednesday morning at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, participated in the meeting with Murphy for several hours before leaving without comment.

When Murphy left several hours later, he had a frustrated expression on his face and also declined to comment.

In a statement issued Wednesday night, Murphy says: "We discussed a number of topics not related to football, including Brett's long-term relationship with the Packers. I consider our conversation to be confidential, and am going to be respectful of Brett and his family and keep the details private."