Looks like he's coming back...

It certainly appears that Favre is going to change his mind (again) and play football this year. ESPN reported today that Favre's agent wrote a letter to the Packers requesting Favre's release.

I've always admired Favre as a player, but I've got to believe that the executives in Green Bay are fuming right now. There's no possible way for the Packers to win in this deal. If they keep Favre, they alienate their quarterback of the future (Aaron Rodgers) to appease Brett for 1-2 more seasons. If they release Favre, there is a strong likelihood that he ends up playing for a division rival like Minnesota or Chicago. I don't think there's enough beer in the cheese state to drown out the sorrows of seeing Favre run out of the tunnel at Lambeau Field on the opening Monday Night Football game wearing a purple jersey. The whole state would be on suicide watch.

So, what's your take on the whole deal? Is Favre the bad guy for putting the Packers in a very tough spot, or is he the die-hard competitor that deserves to lace up his pads again?

He's already older than Montana when he retired. These guys just need to know when to go out on top. I always thought Montana should have gone out after his last Super Bowl, gone out a winner.

I haven't followed football in a number of years now, but I know Farve was a great player in his day, but he's what, 39 now? Green Bay has to think of the future, and it's not Farve.

Reminds me of Joe Montana.... If the guy simply loves the game and wants to keep playing, I can respect that. But the Packers have the right to take a pass on him, and I wouldn't blame them -- because for the past couple of seasons he hasn't looked like he's been all there. He's quick to give up and start throwing INT's like he just doesn't care anymore, and I think Rodgers is sick of playing behind a guy like that. Just look at what happened during the Pack / Cowboys game last year -- Favre lost faith that he could win the game, and so he started throwing bombs to Cowboys DB's.... then he got knocked out of the game and Rodgers almost was able to rally them to the win.

Either way, I'd love to see what he can do with a new team next year -- that might be fun to watch

- Hakrjak

I dunno man, when Montana rallied the KC Chiefs into the playoffs that last year, those were some of the most exciting games I remember watching as a kid. For a minute there, I thought the old Joe magic would work again, and he'd somehow get back to the Superbowl, but it wasn't meant to be....

- Hakrjak

To be fair, Favre had an incredible season last year. He put up some great numbers, so I don't doubt his ability to play at a high level. I don't think it would be like Emmitt Smith going to Arizona to flounder just so he could continue to play.

I also agree that Green Bay must look at the bigger picture and give Aaron Rodgers the opportunity that he has patiently waited for.

It is a selfish move on Favre's part. I wouldn't mind if it didn't impact 1000's of other folks. This isn't tennis, golf, or bowling ... his choices reap consequences on many others.

Some guys can move from team to team and contribute and have a good career, but some guys are the team they play for. Montana was SF, didn't like seeing him in a KC jersey. Rice was SF, watching him wear silver and black just wasn't right. Farve is Green Bay.

Don't blame the guys for wanting to play, it's just sad that some of the great players have a tendency to stay just a little too long and can't go out on top, or at least where they belong. It's a tough spot to know when it's enough.

Being from Wisconsin and a family that breaths Packers I'm not surprised at all. Favre has always kind of been like a big kid on the field and it was one of the characteristics that made him so likeable (and often unpredictable) in the game. I have little doubt that when he left it was in the heat of the moment as well. In retrospect a bad call, as many business moves are out of pure emotion. In all honesty the Pack is a different team than they were in 96'. I think Favre is awesome at the game I also believe you shouldn't have to give up your passions. In making the choice to leave though, it would be better to stick with his principles... and his decision.

Selfish, yeah, but faced with the choice would you be willing to give up your lambo/s, your dream home, your passion (fill in the blank)just like that?

I don't blame Favre for wanting to come back, but I don't blame the Packers for not wanting him to come back either. They basically gave the reins to Rodgers -- what would it say about them as an organization if they took them right back and gave them to Favre?

It's a sticky situation for both sides. If Favre wants to play, he should play, but I think it's time for the Packers to move on. They have Rodgers and Brohm waiting in the wind for their opportunities.

This mirrors my sentiment. Favre is putting his whimsical desires ahead of what's best for thousands of other people.

Since this is a business forum, lets try to spin this around a bit. Assume for a moment that you're the owner of the Green Bay Packers and Brett Favre tells you that he wants to play football in 2008. To the best of my knowledge, you've got the following three options:

1. Bring Favre back as your starting quarterback for 2008
2. Release Favre so that he can sign with another team
3. Take Favre back and try to arrange a trade to get some value out of him

What's the best decision for the Green Bay Packers?

In that light you have to look to the future. Screwing Rogers would in turn screw that as 1-2 years for Favre would most likely cause the loss of Rogers over instability of decision. The current management has designed the team that is purposely not build around Favre to give some flexibility to that decision. Would people want to see a bright future or a team living in the past. Forward action is a necessity forward motion is a hindrance. Just my 2 cents.

First of all, the Packers are actually not "owned" by anybody; they're a publically held corporation, and I believe they're owned by the fans.

I really don't think there is a best decision here. The Packers are really backed into a corner here. I guess the least-bad decision would be to either release him or trade him. The best they would get in a trade for him would be a 3rd or 4th rounder. I think from a PR standpoint, they're better off releasing him than trading him.

I think this also kinda makes Favre look bad, though. He definitely wants to play, but I guess the Packers really don't want him. I think the fans might be a bit mad if he leaves GB.

He is actually under contract for 3 more years, I think for $39 million. From a business perspective it would behoove the packers to let him go. It would certainly help them in terms of the salary cap and free up money to maybe find some quality free agents. Now from a PR perspective it is a nightmare! But frankly that is why people have individuals make football decisions and not allow individual shareholders to vote on these decisions. The right move is to release him from his contract and let him go somewhere else. Once the GB fans see him struggle in chicago or minnesota they will realize mgmt made the right choice and the PR crapstorm will dissipate.

You are correct, Yankees. However, in the interest of discussion on the forum, I had to put in the assumption that an individual held ownership of the business and had to make a difficult decision.

Personally, I think the Packers are bound by their decision to move forward with Aaron Rodgers. They can't sacrifice the future of the franchise for one or two more years with Favre taking the snaps. As I followed the story a bit more last night, I think the Packers are playing this out as well as they can. They essentially told Favre (and the media in a press release) to go ahead and apply for reinstatement back into the league. Once that's done and Favre is an active player, the Packers will address the situation from there. Smart move, putting the pressure back on Favre to make the next move. I like it.

Here's a great article (in my opinion) about the Favre debacle. I think Whitlock does a pretty good job of pulling emotion out of the equation and making a sound argument for his stance on the issue. The only question I have is whether the potential short-term gains of Favre coming back would be enough to offset the almost certain departure of Rodgers as the Packers future QB?


FOX Sports on MSN - Jason Whitlock - Hey Ted, I'm here to help

WOW! Brett is coming to NY!!!!!

Even in my optimistic state of mind, I believed he would end up in either Tampa Bay or Minnesota.

This is gonna be one exciting season for this Jets fan!!!

Great! So instead of winning 5 games this year the Jets will win 7!!!

J/K...as a Bills fan this was the last thing I wanted to see!

UGH!!!

As old as Favre is, he's a definite improvement over guys like Pennington and Clemens (although I wouldn't have minded if they were starting).

With all of our acquisitions this year, I'm really looking forward to a promising season!