TRENTON -- When Gov. Chris Christie lunched with President Donald Trump at the White House last week, he reportedly got more than a plate of meatloaf -- he also got another job offer from Trump.

Politico reported that after lunch, Trump, a longtime friend and fellow Republican, asked the New Jersey governor if he'd like to be U.S. secretary of labor.

But Christie declined, saying he plans instead to take a job in the private sector after finishing his final term in the Garden State next January, according to the report, which cited multiple unnamed sources.

The offer came as Trump's first nominee for labor secretary, Andrew Puzder, lost support in the U.S. Senate. A day after the Christie lunch, Puzder withdrew his name from consideration.

A source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to NJ Advance Media that Trump did offer the governor the job and that Christie said no.

"Christie wants to stay as governor," added the source, who requested anonymity to speak candidly about the scenario.

Brian Murray, a spokesman for Christie's office, declined comment.

Questions about whether Christie will leave Trenton for Washington have abounded since Trump was elected last November. The governor is a longtime adviser Trump, a former Atlantic City casino magnate, but was passed over for vice president and attorney general. Christie later said he turned down multiple other job offers from Trump.

But questions bubbled again last Tuesday, when Christie and his wife, Mary Pat Christie, had lunch with Trump.

The White House said they discussed how to combat drug abuse in the U.S. -- an issue Christie has focused on for years. Christie said they did not discuss him taking a job in the White House related to drugs, nor was there "discussion about a job that would necessitate me leaving" New Jersey.

Of course, Christie's future is still the source of acute speculation. The Politico report surfaced on the same day another report said Christie is a possible contender to replace Mike Francesa as the afternoon drive show on sports-talk radio station WFAN-660 AM in New York City.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.