Can a signed NFL player become a free agent by retiring for one year?

Obviously this is inspired by the whole Brett Favre saga. But someone just told me that Favre could officially retire for one year, then come out of retirement and be a free agent - even though his contract with the Packers runs through the 2010 season. I think the guy is wrong. But I thought I'd ask to see if anyone has a link or something that can confirm or deny this.

Public Comments

1. You are right. Your friend is wrong. This is exactly why Favre is asking for his release. The Packers still have him under contract for three seasons. For his contract to expire, he would have to play three more years or be on the Packers roster for three more years. I don't know if he can come back in 2010 and everything is erased, though...
2. He is bound to the Packers contract until 2010 and if he comes back in 2010 be will still be the property of the packers, then he would have to clear waivers before he could go to whatever team he wants. This happened back a couple years ago... Deion Sanders wanted to come back when he knew the Oakland Raiders were going to go to the Super Bowl, he had to clear waivers before he could go to Oakland and he didnt, . When he wanted to come back, he was the property of the Redskins, they had to cut him, he would hit the waivers and then he would have to clear waivers. Actually the Steelers claimed him so he couldnt sign with the raiders. He ended up coming back a couple years later and played for the Ravens, but at that point, he cleared waivers again and he could go anywhere he wanted.
3. I agree with the person above me. Farve could be gone for 2 seasons but if he decides he wants to come back he's still property of the Green Bay Packers. Edit: The Madden Curse strikes again.
4. I agree with all of the above
5. I have know idea because I don't know much about the NFL policies but I want Brett Favre to come back and play for the Packers.