Lifelong diehard Packer fan here. Favre will not be released, there is no chance to let him sign with a NFC North team. There would be mutiny. Also, Ted Thompson is way too cold and too good of a businessman to allow that to happen. Favre will not be a backup, can you imagine the team chemistry with Favre on the bench? Can you imagine trying to bring up Favres successor with him on the bench? It just isn't possible, the damage it would have on the team's morale would be devastating. Favre will either stay retired or be offered to work out a trade with a non-NFC North team. Even if he gets traded for a conditional 7th round draft pick in a trade and contract renegotiation is fine. The point is there is no way he will play for the Bears, Lions, or Vikings. Those are the only options for Packers fans and the only realistic possibilities.