I don't believe the Packers will let Favre go. They hold the cards and will allow Favre to unretire and play for the Packers. They don't have to guarantee him the starting QB role, all they have to do is welcome him back with open arms. Besides it's a very long season and chances are that whoever is the QB he will get hurt at some point opening the door for the other. If Favre can't or won't allow himself to possibly be the backup, he can stay retired. The whole retirement thing has always seemed about Favre wanting Green Bay to beg him to come back...and, they seem tired of the drama.

Just release him already. Lots of famous QBs moved on to other teams and some people think it soiled their respective legacies, but lots of people are aware of those moves (Montana to KC or Namath to L.A.) and STILL generally think of the QB in his vintage years with the team that helped make him famous.

Is it just my perception or did Favre quit in the second half of the Packers/Giants playoff game last year? And when Favre retired didn't he say that the Pack did not have the players to win the Super Bowl in 08-09?

Favre obviously loves being the center of all of this attention. Every year we go through the same soap opera with this doofus. If the Packers give him his unconditional release, that opens the door for other players to pull the same ploy and get located to a team more to their liking. The sports media should stop sucking up to this hay-seed, the Packers should demand fair compensation and Favre should grow up....

If I were Green Bay I would say don't let the door hit your old a#$ on the way out!
And Tampa Bay in November and December has perfect weather and is most certaintly not too hot.

If the Packers give him his unconditional release, that opens the door for other players to pull the same ploy and get located to a team more to their liking. I could not agree with you more. This is what is turning a lot of people away from pro sports. Just a bunch of whining premadonna's playing a kids game for too much money.

If I were GB, I would keep him from the Vikings, but with as much exasperation expressed at the QB of the Bears, people should look closely at the RB, WR, and OL positions, too. They are a mess. A year in Chicago could doom Favre to look worse than Unitas in SD, although the Bears defense will win some games for them.

The Packers definately did NOT make the right decision. The few seasons prior to this one when Favre kept us waiting, he lost: his father, father-in-law, brother-in-law and his wife was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. We all have challenges, but if the guy waivered, normal people understood. This past season he seemed spent and when he retired, some cried, some were happy, yet all wished him well. Now he changed his mind and money notwithstanding he wants to come back. My friends, he is OWED this! He's left bits and pieces of himself at Lambeau and every other field in the NFL while playing hurt all those years and didn't miss a damn game. He also particpates in many charitable organizations and hasn't ONCE given the NFL a black eye for any reason. He is the face of the NFL. Someone has said recently that if anyone ever deserved a "Get Out've Retirement Free" card, it's him and I agree. Ali, Jordan, Foreman, Parcells and other greats have come back, some sadly so. But this guy can still bring it and we WANT to see him bring it. Which brings me to Rodgers. He may be a great one day and he seems likable enough. But if the Packers are SO high on him why did they draft a QB in the second round? Healthy competition? Also, if Favre isn't good enough to be number one then why didn't they grant his unconditional release? Afraid he'll come back in a Minnesota or Chicago uniform and light you up at Lambeau? On another note and this goes out to Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy; you want to go down in NFL history, let alone Packer history as the two buffooons who stopped his streak because you both can't see the forest for the trees?! Favre is STILL the best choice just based on his last season (statistically one of his best) to lead the Packers to the championship. The Packers better think long and hard on this one. As someone has said recently: "We must make exceptions at times for exceptional people."
Peace,
Rick NYC

No man is bigger than an organization. Favre isn't owed anything. He played for longer than anybody has a right to expect to play, won a SB, multiple MVP's, and made gazillions. If he had said he wanted to play again they would have let him. He was the one who walked away

And he has the right to make a mistake.....and come back. The Packers do OWE him. He almost singlehandedly brought that team back from the brink. No-one has ever done more with less; remember that. AND...if Ron Wolf were still around, this wouldn't be happening. Favre put the swagger back in the Packers. They owe him, nuff said.

Rick NYC,

Thank you for a well thought out and expressed comment. Farve should be the Packer's starting QB. Until he can't deliver, Can anyone remember when that was?, he should be the Packer's starting QB!!

I disagree. He has the right to make a mistake. But, the Pack does not have to reward him for that mistake. He also, almost singlehandedly lost the NFC championship game v the Giants last year. He threw multiple picks and did not play well. Moreover, that organization stuck by him after he threw 29 INT's in 2006. I think they're even

Some teams are bound to have quarterback issues either during the preseason or in the first few games, and when a first string QB goes down with a freak injury a magical trading partner will emerge to trade for Favre's services.

In the meantime, though, it's just a Favre'd-up mess, created entirely by the player in question (but still not as bad as what Elway did to the Colts after being drafted).

Elephantis,

Agreed. As long as there are no freak injuries to QB's in the NFC North, he will go to somebody. But I actually respect what Elway did a little bit more. He was up-front about it. He told the Colts not to draft him. He said he would go play elsewhere if they did.

After watching Favre for many years I can't think of another player in the NFL that has a bigger heart, more spirit or more love for the game of football. He never missedd a start in all the years he has played and he has helped make the Green Bay Packers what they are today.
If you watched the game with the Oakland Raiders Dec 22, 2003, the day after the passing of his father, you will know what kind of man Brett Favre is. He deserves the same respect from the team that he has given them for many years.
So yes, Rick, NYC, I would have to agree they do owe him at least a chance to start again. As soon as the temperature is below freezing, Rodgers should go in the game. This will give him the game experience he needs to lead the team when Favre does retire in a year or two. I think a tag team effort like this could put the Packers in the Superbowl, if only the coaches and egos could see it this way.
If the Packers release Favre and let him get to a team with a warm climate, I know it will come back to haunt them.

Favre would be a great fit in the AFC East. The team that would appreciate his services would be the NY Jets. The weather and atmosphere is similar to Green Bay. The great thing about New York is that it is New York. Although media driven Brett has the experience and intestinal fortitude to play under the pressure of the New York spotlight.

I know that the Jets have already made a package to offer Green Bay and picking up Brett's 12.5M dollar salary would be a cake walk. The marketing of his # 4 jersey would be the most marketed jersey in NFL history. Trust me, the Jets are hungry and their organization has worked hard to put all the key players in place except for QUARTERBACK. The "Chad" is a handicap for a team that is prime not only to compete with the Pats but to defeat the Pats twice.
Remember the locker room reporter don't understand how to build a team but the"Hunte" does!!

Do the packer's want to go to the Superbowl next year? Favre will get them there.

send farve to the bucs! He will retire immediately after that. We could always trade our broken Cadillac Williams for him.

The Packers do not owe anything to Brett. He has become a locker room cancer, and the Packers need to resolve this situation promptly. He has held the organization hostage for the past 4 years...this is "straw that broke the camel's back"...Time to move on Green Bay! Most players who know Brett agree that he has been a completely selfish, self-centered player the past 5 years. Good thing he said it was "OK" that the Packers drafted 2 quarterbacks...What an Asshat!

Once everyone sees the "whole Truth" I have no doubt they will realize that Brett did more than enough and try to save TT's blunders from the public up until now.

Free Brett Favre and Let him Play!!!

He deserves this at minimum !!!!!!!!!!!!

Brett Favre is the greatest quarterback in the history of the game, just check the record books. And it isn't like he can't play anymore he had a great season last year. He led a young inexperienced team to the NFC title game, went 13-3, threw 28 TD's, 4,000+ passing yards, what more can the packers ask for. And for anyone who says he quit in the NFC title game, that is ridiculus, McCarthy never established the running game and made the offense one dimensional which is why they lost, not Favre's fault. He is a great and the Packers should be thrilled he wants to comeback and play for them again, end of story.

Stop holding Brett Hostage Ted, Release him and let him play already !!

let brett come to camp and earn his starting job back.. HE walked away..not the Pack.. He said he had had enough.. now HE wants to dictate? I wish i could do that! I would be shown the front door and be told not to let it hit me on the way out! Stop being a baby , Brett.... Come to camp and compete or stay retired.....

Why is it when Javon Walker wanted to be paid more or be traded that Favre stated publicly "Walker is under contract" he should honor his contract. I guess this doesn't apply if you play 17 years, decide to retire, haven't filed your retirement papers and now what to come back under your terms only or be released.
And I'm a diehard Packer Fan!!!!!!!!! Trade him or stay retired!!!!!!!!!!

Are you people really stupid enough to believe that he would nto want to play in Tampa because it's "too hot?" What Favre wants is to play for a team that acutally has a chance of being a Super Bowl contender. His best chance for that would have been....guess where? Green Bay. Sure, he's been around forever, but learning a whole new offense of another team is not going to be easy to do in a month's time (or less). I know he said he was forced into making that decision in early March, but honestly, if he was feeling pressure, he should have just told management to buzz off until he was confident with the decision he was about to make. Now look at all the drama this has caused. I can't blame the Packers for not wanting to take him back at this point, they've started to rebuild their team around Aaron Rodgers. The only way I want to see Favre back in GB at this point is if he is playing backup, which he will never agree to. This whole thing is a mess and probably could have been averted if there had been better communication between Favre and Ted Thompson earlier in the year.

I can see Ted Thompson's point of view. He wants to win a superbowl and build his legacy. Truth is, Ted Thompson was helped this year by the leadership of Brett Favre. Ted he's helped you, carried Green Bay and was not just after the cash. Love him and let him go! He's made the Packers way more money than they've paid him. Give Brett his walking papers, close this page. Ted go on with your Packers and Brett go where you want, after all the record book says Brett Favre has earned it.

Favre retired, changed his mind, is a great quarter back. Favre will bring the packers far and Rogers will survive another year as back up--

Re: Bret Quitting during the playoff game

Bret did not so much quit in the title game last year- rather, he died. If you watched his face during the second half of the game, you could see his eyes were bloodshot, the lower half was covered in run off from his nose, and he generally looked like someone in need of a warm blanket and a cup of hot chocolate by a wood fire. He's old, and that makes it hard on his body to continue the performance at that level.

The Packers would love to move forward with their young QB starting and a first rate back-up on the bench, Brett Favre. Sorry, Pack, you can't have it both ways. Favre could be the STARTING QB for about 25 teams in the NFL, and could probably lead one of the more talented clubs to a Super Bowl. He wants to play, but he wants to START! I say they should trade him and get as many draft picks as they can to help shape their future. Favre was great, but he is not the future of the Packers. However, he still wants another Super Bowl, and he is very capable of doing just that. Let him go, let him play. It would be great for the Game.

Since they have been polling everyone, I had to watch Charles Barkley -- whom I normally like and agree with -- weigh in on the Brett Favre situation. He said he thinks Brett should move on, felt sympathy for Aaron Rodgers, and mentioned that it was "just because he was Brett Favre" that the Packers kept him around during the few seasons prior to this past one. He, like someone who just posted above, mentioned his almost-30 INT season. Charles and any of you other people who talk this nonsense, did you actually watch the Packers during those seasons? Sure, sometimes Brett tried to thread the needle, but on many of those occasions he was trying to make a play since his TEAM was not that good. And already losing ... to the point that many of those INTs seemed to be when, in reality, the game was already over. (An on-field example of how he is not selfish and stats-driven and interested in having all kinds of positive attention.) While I don't know him as a teammate, or as a part of my roster, he has become a very important part of my life. In my mind he represents what is good about sports and about team and about humanity, and I feel like I have a lot of common sense. So, Brett bashers, bash away if you wish. Just know that you are not going to sway my opinion of him, nor will you change the minds of the many others who have a genuine appreciation for what Brett has done in the past, and will do in the future, regardless of the uniform. Note to Packers: Move on if you wish, but allow Brett to do the same, unconditionally. Sure, the spot you're in is tough, but if you don't want to keep him, then you're saying he's not good enough. I still want to call you my favorite sports team when this has reached its end. Note to outside observers: Read all of the transcripts, listen to all parts of interviews, read stories from beginning to end,... Don't just rely on the media's sound bytes and headlines to come up with your opinion of Brett. To do that is to be mistaken and unfair.

NO ONE else in the NFL has ever created such a stir in the NFL. It's so funny all the news articles, blogs, fans, anti-fans all discussing this for hours, days, months and yes, years. Favre is the star player of the Packers and the NFL. Everytime he steps on the field he shows it with his smile, with his fun sportsmanship towards other players, his exciting, sandlot, backyard style of playing football, throwing blocks down field, I can keep going on. He is football, he is what the GAME is about. He's not showing off his bling, pulling stupid stunts after touchdowns, running with a posse, he's a true-blue role model for any and everyone. And he didn't single-handly loose the NFC chanmpionship game. Maybe if the fumble had been dropped on and recovered instead of trying to pick it up and run? Maybe if the defense had stopped the Giant's run and passing? Maybe, maybe, maybe... One thing is for sure, if Favre had not been QBing, they would never had made it to that game. Favre stated all season he knew the young team had a lot of talent, and it showed down the stretch. Also, in rebuttle to Dlyan, Elway was the biggest baby ever to be drafted, he is the one that single handedly opened the door for all the future cry babies by throwing a temper tantrum about not wanting to go to the colts. I never watch Elway play unless it was against a team I followed, lost all respect for him at the draft. I've never lost respect for Favre, he's faced much adversity and with each hole life threw at him, he worked his way out, only building respect. I hope he plays somewhere.

Green Bay Packers are pathetic and scammers! They have taken SOUTHERN quarterbacks for decades (Bart Starr, Scott Hunter, Brett Favre, etc.) and dragged them into the God-forsaken icy wasteland of Green Bay to perform. Then when they're tired of them, they (G. B. management) jerk them around and claim they can't play, management didn't do anything to screw them over, etc. I say let the G. B. Packers continue to be the losers they are and go where they sun don't shine (it "don't" appear to shine there anyway in November-April!

I know I will get blasted for playing the race card here, but so be it...

What if Brett Favre were Black? No way in hell he would be allowed to do this.

Wow Joe, you just made yourself a lot of enemies. And for your information just because it's cold out doesn't mean the sun isn't shining.
I say let Brett play. I'd love to see him start for Green Bay; if that's not possible (due to a lamentable lack of foresight on the part of the management) then I'd rather watch him play somewhere else than not get to see him play at all.

Doesn't look like he's being allowed to do it now. And if he were a woman things would've been a lot harder too :) Whatever color or gender he is doesn't change the fact that he's human (therefore makes mistakes) and has done a lot over the years for both Green Bay and their fans. He loves to play. We love to watch him play. Let him play.

I have been a lifelong packer fan, since before Brett Favre (yes, there was a time before Brett). And yes, from a player standpoint (dont' discount Ron Wolff), he single handedly brought the Packers back from the brink of football obscurity.

I believe that TT has been on a tear to remove the old regime since he got to Green Bay, at any cost. Note the following examples, he chose not to renew the contracts of several veteran offensive lineman, building a new one practically from scratch. That was the season that Brett threw all those picks and was regularly creamed on the field. He got rid of Mike Sherman, who was gaining momentum as a coach. He drafted Aaron Rodgers as the heir apparent how many years ago? The organization used Brett to build this team for the future all the while pushing him out the door. Between his personal woes and professional challenges, after so long in the league, it is no wonder that Brett has wavered on the retirement question. Especially considering he still plays the game at a level higher than many of his contemporaries.

After that last pass with the Giants, I was convinced he would go out on that note. I was amazed when he announced his retirement. After watching him for so many years, I was of the opinion that he couldn't be considered retired until camp started. Apparently, TT did not have that foresight.

In Brett's tenure, the Packers have built a magnificent new stadium, recemented their place in the Monday Night Football rotation, and become a nationally recognized team and fan base. While I can appreciate their dismay at this position, the Packers are a team owned by their community. This is considered a point of pride to them. Is this how a long standing member of the community should be treated? I think not, it is enough to make me want to root for the Bears

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If you green bay fans think favre give's a rat's ass about you people your smoken more than brat's. cheese head's, "i'ts time to get a life" !!!

Being from Wisconsin it pains me to see Brett go anywhere else but if he wants to play I say trade him. Be civil with Brett reach an agreement and let him play somewhere else and get something good in return.

As for Tampa bay being too warm you have to realize he is used to playing in the cold. And is one of the best cold weather QB's so sure it may feel nice to everyone else but its not where he is most comfortable.

Looks to me EGO'S are what this is all about. Both (Ted and Brett) need to sit down and talk, put an end to this mess. Favre is the best bet for the Packer to make it to the Superbowl. I will always be a Favre fan. If they can't come to an agreement release him (he has earned the right to play if he wants). Ted can't have his cake and eat it too.

Looks to me EGO'S are what this is all about. Both (Ted and Brett) need to sit down and talk, put an end to this mess. Favre is the best bet for the Packers to make it to the Superbowl. I will always be a Favre fan. If they can't come to an agreement release him (he has earned the right to play if he wants). Ted can't have his cake and eat it too.

Farve deserves to go out how and when he is ready. I am not a Packer fan, but have been a Farve fan for years. Its simply that he has heart...something I wish was more common in modern football (Sports in general). If the Packer Organization is so afraid of him going to a Division rival because his level of talent is still so high, then they may as well let him start, or at least compete for the starting job. Otherwise, release him and let him play his last 1-2 years as he sees fit. I think its a shame that a organization would try to have so much voice in when a great should retire...

It's not as if Favre had a terrible year last year. He had one of his best. If he couldn't play that's one thing, but he can still bring it. Also, some use the Giants game as a yardstick to measure his worth. Well, last I checked Favre wasn't covering Plaxico Burress, who made Al Harris look like a rookie; it wasn't Favre who couldn't run the ball against the Giants defense. Take away that last pick to Webster and on a day when it was -8 degrees, Favre did pretty well. The Giants beat them; they were better that day on both sides of the ball. All this aside, Favre holding a clipboard while Aaron Rodgers runs the offense?! Are you kidding me?! Again, if Ron Wolf was still around, this wouldn't be happening.
Peace,
Rick NYC

I find it strange that the Packers (I believe TT and MM) were in such a hurry to have Brett's uniform retirement - hopefully at the 1st regular season game. We have had season tickets for 45 years and I do not believe this has ever been the policy in the past. I hope to relinquish my tickets after this season if Brett is not treated decently. He has given his all and deserves much more than he is receiving. MMcCarthy's "defensive" plays certainly would never have gotten the Packers as far this past season had Brett not had the foresight to see what would work. Perhaps this is why MM and TT want to get rid of him. Sure would like to see Ron Wolffe, Mike Holmgren and Brett back!! In my opinion, they were true "Packer" people -
not egotists!