Though the precise discussions between “retired” quarterback Brett Favre and his agent, Bus Cook, likely are known only to Favre and Cook, some league insiders are assuming that Cook is pushing Favre to play in 2008.

The assumption is based on a perception that Cook has been yapping openly (but not yet publicly) about Favre’s supposed desire to play in 2008.  Because Favre seems, at least superficially, to be content with the notion of retirement, the assumption then is that Cook is trying to get Favre to change his mind and unretire.

Cook said in the immediate wake of Favre’s decision to retire that Cook thinks Favre wanted to play in 2008, but that Favre believed the Packers didn’t want him to return.  There also was a report from Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times of Cook quietly shopping Favre via trade, and we later confirmed that report.

If Favre would decide to play, his options would be to play for the Packers or no one.  As to the Packers, the options would to welcome him back (and pay him an eight-figure base salary), trade him, or cut him loose.

We’re not saying that Favre is going to play.  But we are saying that Cook is saying that Favre wants to play.  Whether that’s true or not – and, more importantly, whether Favre acts on it — remains to be seen.