As the Brett Favre saga hurtles toward conclusion, one notable NFL observer says he already knows how the story ends.

"I think the odds are better than 50-50 Favre ends up with the Bucs," former Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Theismann said Wednesday. "If Brett Favre plays football in 2008, I think it's in Tampa."

There is increasing speculation that Favre, who turns 39 in October, will be traded from Green Bay to Tampa Bay, perhaps as early as this weekend.

The Bucs have done nothing to quell the rumors. In a media conference call Tuesday, General Manager Bruce Allen had every opportunity to declare that Jeff Garcia will remain the starting quarterback this fall after leading Tampa Bay to an NFC South title in 2007.

Allen could have said the Bucs are not interested in the Green Bay icon.

Instead, he suggested that reporters should talk to the Packers or Favre himself.

At the same time, the disenchantment between Garcia and the Bucs appears to be widening, with Garcia asking for and receiving permission to skip the opening weekend of training camp to attend his father's junior-college reunion.

Even though Garcia made the request two months ago, he already had publicly expressed dissatisfaction with his contract situation.

"There's something going down," Theismann said when informed of Garcia's surprising decision to miss the start of camp. "He's not happy with his contract and the Favre rumors don't help this situation. Brett has a stronger arm than Jeff, and we know that Jon Gruden doesn't think twice about changing quarterbacks. The feeling down there in Tampa seems to be, 'If I can get a guy to help my team win, I'm sorry I hurt your feelings.'"

Favre, the most durable quarterback in league history, has yet to petition the NFL for reinstatement, but the Packers have made it clear they intend to move on without the face of the franchise and go with 24-year-old Aaron Rodgers under center.

As training camp approaches, Green Bay is running out of options, even as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell assumes an active role in resolving the Favre impasse.

One of the only certainties in this soap opera is the Packers will not grant Favre's request for his release because as an unrestricted free agent, Favre could sign with Green Bay's rivals in the NFC North. In particular, the Vikings could be primed to make a Super Bowl run with Favre under center rather than inexperienced Tarvaris Jackson.

Finding a willing trade partner that Favre agrees to play for won't be easy. The Packers are talking to potential suitors regarding compensation, but Favre's $12 million price tag adds another obstacle.

The Bucs are well under the salary cap and could offer Green Bay a package that includes a draft pick and a player such as running back Michael Bennett or wide receiver Michael Clayton in an effort to land the future Hall of Famer.

Theismann said it's clear Favre wants to play in the NFL this fall. The key is finding an offensive scheme he's familiar with.

"To me, the No. 1 question is whether there's a system he can get into right away," Theismann said. "Adaptability to the system is the key. If you bring a Brett Favre into something other than the West Coast offense, you'd have to limit your offense. In the span of one training camp, he'd be ready to lead the Bucs. He can't go anywhere where the system is different. Brett is going to play his rear end off because he doesn't want to disappoint."

For the Bucs to swing a deal with Green Bay, timing becomes essential.

"You're up against the clock," Theismann said. "For him to be effective in Tampa, you'd have to get him into training camp quickly. Tampa makes the most sense, but the clock is ticking for any team that wants Brett Favre."