The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, citing a source close to the situation, on Wednesday reported the Packers were considering seeking a Brett Favre deal with one of their rivals, most likely the Minnesota Vikings or Chicago Bears, if all else fails. That follows reports that the Packers on Wednesday offered Favre a substantial sum of money -- as much as $20 million over several years -- to stay retired.

The Bears want Kevin Jones to drop 10 pounds while he's on the physically unable to perform list. The thinking is Jones will better be able to handle the the wear and tear of the job on his surgically repaired right knee if he's a little bit lighter. Jones had surgery to repair a torn ACL in January and is at least a decent bet to begin the season on PUP.

The Chicago Bears agreed to terms with return specialist Devin Hester on a four-year contract extension on Sunday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Hester?s new contract runs through the 2013 season. The Bears have now extended the contracts of nine players this year. The two-time Pro Bowler stands just two kick return touchdowns shy from tying the all-time NFL career record of 13 set by Brian Mitchell (14 seasons, 1070 returns). In two seasons, Hester has 89 punt returns for 1,251 yards, seven touchdowns and a 14.1 average - highest in NFL history. On 63 kickoff returns Hester has 1,462 yards, four touchdowns and a 23.2 average. He has also recorded a 108-yard missed field goal return touchdown (tying a then-NFL record for longest play in league history) and a 92-yard kickoff return score on the opening play of Super Bowl XLI.

Chicago Bears kick return star Devin Hester is back in training camp, but there's no word on whether he's signed a new contract. Hester skipped the Bears' first practices this week in a holdout. Bears spokesman Scott Hagel confirmed Hester is in camp, but said he doesn't know if the two-time Pro-Bowler will practice or if he's signed a contract.

Devin Hester did not report to camp on Tuesday night before midnight as players were required to do and missed team meetings this morning, but he officially became a contract holdout with the start of practice at 3 p.m. His decision not to report to camp had to be a surprise to a franchise that reached 12th-hour contract solutions for middle linebacker Brian Urlacher and rookie left tackle Chris Williams in an effort to ensure the entire roster would report on time. Hester has two years remaining on the four-year, $2.86 million deal he signed as a second-round pick in 2006. The team has been negotiating an extension with Hester?s agent, Eugene Parker, before the dramatic turn of events today. Parker did not return a phone message seeking comment.

The Bears and first-round pick Chris Williams agreed to a five-year deal Wednesday, as reported by the Associated Press. Williams, an offensive tackle from Vanderbilt, was the No. 14 choice overall. The Bears announced the deal two hours before their first practice. Financial details were not disclosed.

According to sources, Brian Urlacher and the Bears have come to terms on a revised contract, which includes a one-year extension, thus ending their offseason contract squabble. Urlacher, 30, had four years and approximately $25.5 million remaining on his contract. Under the terms of the upgraded deal, Urlacher will receive a $6 million signing bonus along with a $1 million bump in salary each of the next four years.

The Chicago Bears have signed running back Kevin Jones to a one-year deal, according to The Associated Press. During four years with the Detroit Lions, Jones rushed for 3,067 yards and 24 touchdowns on 761 carries.

The Bears agreed to a four-year deal with second-round draft pick Matt Forte, the former Tulane running back expected to replace Cedric Benson in the lineup, according to an Associated Press report.

The Bears signed defensive tackle Marcus Harrison to a four-year contract on Tuesday, and agreed to deals with wide receiver Earl Bennett and cornerback Zack Bowman, according to The Associated Press. Chicago has now signed or agreed to terms with a league-high ten of their twelve picks, with Matt Forte (second round) and Chris Williams (first round) left unsigned. Both Bennett and Bowman were also signed to four-year deals.