GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers still could pursue John Schneider for their general manager job, but they will have to offer the Seattle Seahawks compensation to make it happen.

That may be their only resort after the Seahawks denied the Packers permission to interview Schneider for their GM job, a source confirmed Saturday.

NFL Network was the first to report that the Packers sought permission but were denied.

The Packers also could argue that they should be allowed to interview Schneider because the job could be viewed as a promotion, since Schneider and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll share responsibilities in player acquisition. In Green Bay, the general manager has full authority over all football decisions, including the draft, free agency and hiring and firing of the coach.

Schneider would be the preferred choice of many in the organization, including some already in the scouting department, and coach Mike McCarthy.

John Schneider might be the preferred choice for the Packers as GM, but they would have to offer the Seahawks compensation. Brian Spurlock/USA Today Sports

A native of nearby De Pere, Wisconsin, Schneider broke into the NFL in 1993 with the Packers under Hall of Fame general manager Ron Wolf. He spent three seasons as a scout before leaving for a job with the Chiefs. He also worked for the Seahawks and Redskins before returning to the Packers in 2002, where he remained until the Seahawks made him their GM in 2010.

When Schneider signed an extension in 2016, he told reporters that it did not include any out clause that would allow him to leave for the Packers' front office. Schneider is under contract through 2021.

Carroll said this week that he expected Schneider would remain in Seattle.

Multiple sources told ESPN that Schneider would be very interested in running his hometown team.

It was not immediately known if the Packers would be willing to compensate the Seahawks -- most likely in draft picks and money -- to hire Schneider.

The Packers also requested permission to interview Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie, but McKenzie declined the request from his former employer and is expected to remain as Jon Gruden’s GM, a source told Adam Schefter.

The Packers have three internal candidates: Russ Ball, Brian Gutekunst and Eliot Wolf. Although Ball, their chief contract negotiator, is viewed as a leading candidate, a source said Gutekunst and Wolf both were impressive in their interviews, with Gutekunst holding a slight edge over the younger Wolf. A source said McCarthy is not opposed to working with any of the internal candidates, despite reports that he would try to leave if Ball got the job.

The Packers also plan to interview former Bills GM Doug Whaley.