The Brett Favre soap opera shifted into overdrive today.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen, who is in Hattiesburg, Miss., reported that Favre has asked the Packers for his unconditional release. The Packers organization responded with a statement.

Mortensen reported that Favre's agent, Bus Cook, asked for the release in a letter that arrived at Lambeau Field this morning. Cook, Mortensen reported, asked for an amicable parting because the Packers have not embraced Favre's desire to return.

According to the report, Favre had a conference call Tuesday with general manager Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy. Favre expressed his desire to return, but Thompson and McCarthy reminded the quarterback of his retirement announcement in March, when Favre said he was not 100 percent committed to football and had given all he had to give to the game.

According to Mortensen's report, Favre told the Packers felt like that every year in March and that he retired because he felt the Packers were pressing him for an answer.

Favre is under contract with the Packers for three more years at a price tag of just less than $40 million. He is on the reserve-retired list at this point. Mortensen reported that Favre wanted his release so he could choose his next team.

Mortensen watched Favre work out with a high school team in Hattiesburg. Favre, who did not speak for the record, was relaxed and seemed to be in excellent shape.

The Packers responded to reports with the following statement:

"The Green Bay Packers are aware of the latest developments regarding Brett Favre.

"Brett earned and exercised the right to retire on his terms. 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.

"As a retired player, Brett has the option to apply for reinstatement with Commissioner Goodell. If that were to occur, he would become an active member of the Green Bay Packers. As always, the Packers will do what's right and in the best interest of the team.

"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.

"Brett and Deanna will always be a part of the Packers family."

Look for wall-to-wall coverage of this story in the local media.