Green Bay Packers Drive

Friday, 21 April 2006

Packers, Favre delay roster bonus

The due date for Brett Favre's $3 million US roster bonus - originally scheduled last month - has been moved to July 27, giving the three-time MVP more time to make a decision on retirement.

A person with knowledge of the decision, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no formal announcement had been made, confirmed the change.

Favre's agent Bus Cook said Friday that the due date was pushed back, without giving a date. Cook did not immediately return a telephone message from the AP seeking comment.

Since the team ended its season with a 4-12 record, Favre has repeatedly said he has not decided whether to return for a 15th season with the Packers. He gave the same message at his charity golf tournament in Mississippi last weekend.

Favre has questioned whether the team has been improved significantly and would be better next season.

"I guess, ultimately, it comes down to just whether or not you want to play and run the risk of being 4-12 again," Favre said last weekend.

Packers general manager Ted Thompson said Thursday that the bonus due date - which already had been moved back three times, most recently to Saturday - was a non-issue.

"There really is no deadline," he said.

Favre would have to be on the Packers' roster on the due date to qualify for the bonus.

Thompson and new Packers coach Mike McCarthy said previously that they'd like a decision from Favre as soon as possible but have not criticized him for taking so long to make up his mind.

"He's been honest throughout the whole process, and Ted and I both are comfortable," McCarthy said Thursday.