I'm sure all of you have read something about this by now but I'll post it anyway.

I went to a Packer board today just to see what the buzz was. For the most part they all think Favre should stay retired.

Truthfully I think a lot of it is his agent. This guy is losing a lot of change in endorsement money. But maybe I'm wrong.

I'll give it from the beginning.
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Brett Favre-QB- Packers Jul. 2 - 3:32 pm et
Former NFL personnel man Mike Lombardi writes in his blog that one Packers player told him Brett Favre is giving "real consideration" to making a return.

Lombardi, a 20-year veteran executive, recently worked in the Raiders' and Broncos' front offices, writes for SI.com and started a blog a few months back. He doesn't have the same standards as bigger news sources, but undoubtedly has connections. The Packer told Lombardi that Favre would consider returning with another team if Green Bay won't take him back. Favre was recently placed on the reserve/retired list, however, and the Packers own his rights.
Source: Lombardi on Football Blog


Brett Favre-QB- Packers Jul. 2 - 4:18 pm et
ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that Brett Favre has told coach Mike McCarthy that he has thought about playing this year.

Had to know this day was coming. The comeback talk is reportedly only in preliminary stages, but Favre's family is encouraging him to play. Cornerback Al Harris says Favre told him he still "has the itch" to play. This situation could turn thorny. The Packers own Favre's rights, but we'd guess that the front office would simply rather move forward with Aaron Rodgers. The coaching staff may lean more towards Favre. Favre could subsequently push for his release, something Mort mentions. "Brett's a high-quality person and he's not going to push it that far," a team source said. "He'll do the right thing [and stay retired]."
Source: ESPN.com


Brett Favre-QB- Packers Jul. 2 - 5:48 pm et
Citing a league source, the Wisconsin State Journal reports that Brett Favre requested his release from the Packers "within the past few weeks."

Either Favre or his agent, Bus Cook, reportedly contacted the Packers to inform them of his intent to play again. When the Packers said they've moved on, Favre demanded to be released. The Packers said no. GM Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy are currently on vacation and unavailable for comment. The Packers hold all the power here and if they continue to exercise it, the situation could get ugly for everyone. That is, if Favre doesn't change his mind again.
Source: Wisconsin State Journal


Brett Favre-QB- Packers Jul. 2 - 7:16 pm et
NFL Network's Adam Schefter suggest the Jets, Chiefs, and Ravens as possible landing spots if the Packers decide to trade Brett Favre.

Schefter strongly cautions that he's not reporting or trying to "rumor monger," but these would all be sensible landing spots. The Chiefs once traded for Joe Montana in a somewhat similar scenario. The Jets once thought they would get Favre, but settled for drafting Browning Nagle instead. In the end, however, Schefter says he wouldn't bet on Favre playing football in 2008.


Brett Favre-QB- Packers Jul. 2 - 8:24 pm et
In a text message to the Biloxi Herald, Brett Favre called reports of his potential return in 2008 "all rumor."

Favre said there is "no reason" for a media firestorm after numerous reports surfaced that he's contemplating a return. Frankly, he's not too believable. Chris Mortensen, teammate Al Harris, the Wisconsin State Journal, coach Mike McCarthy, and other unnamed sources have all talked about Favre having the itch to return. And Favre's agent is probably leading the news. Until Favre says publicly that he absolutely does not want to play in 2008, speculation about his future will continue.
Source: Biloxi Sun Herald

I was always suspicious of Favre retiring because he is, nay, was "emotionally tired"

This is common at this time of year for guys like Favre. He won't be back.

I think he's been planning for it to go down this way the whole time. The symantics from the retirement, the speech, the letterman appearance, the not filling out retirement papers etc... all seemed like he had another agenda.

Thompson and Farve seem to have some issue with each other, I doubt Thomspom just lets Favre walk. They should just trade him away at this point.

Maybe this is all a ploy so Favre can end his career where it started -- in Atlanta.

Brett Favre-QB- Packers Jul. 3 - 4:30 am et
Appearing on Milwaukee TV stations late Wednesday, Brett Favre's family members said Favre is staying in shape but indicated he no longer feels wanted by Packers GM Ted Thompson.

Scott Favre put his brother's chances of returning at 50-50. "We know he can still play, he's healthy, so, if he did, it wouldn't surprise me." Favre's mother, Bonita, says her son hasn't felt wanted by Thompson "for the last couple of years." Favre never formally filed for retirement. The Packers must keep, release, or trade Favre if he requests to be taken off the reserve/retired list.
Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel


Brett Favre-QB- Packers Jul. 3 - 9:09 am et
The Green Bay Press Gazette confirms through multiple sources that Brett Favre has indeed contacted the Packers about returning, and that his relationship with GM Ted Thompson partly led to his retirement.

There is no doubt Favre talked to coach Mike McCarthy about coming back two weeks ago, despite Favre's claims to the contrary. It's also clear through Favre's family and this report that Thompson doesn't want Favre back. The Gazette says Favre would have "un-retired" as early as May if Thompson had asked him back, but that didn't happen. Thompson reportedly isn't returning Favre's agents calls. This is all a little childish on both sides, but Favre can force Thompson's hand by being definitive about his plans. It's debatable whether he'll be willing to do so.
Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette

This whole thing is so over-hyped. It's either the media looking for a story or his agent looking for some publicity. No way he is coming back. I completely dismiss all these rumore.

No matter how you look at this it's going to be a mess. Even if Favre doesn't want to come back it's a public relations disaster for Green Bay.

If you read the last Gazette article Frank Winters, perhaps Favre's best friend in football at least, said that he talked to Brett on Wednesday and Favre said nohing about coming back. If you don't say anything to your best friend about this, can it be true?

As far as how I feel, Favre is a legend and still was one of the better QBs in the NFL last year. To say you don't want that talent behind center would be foolish. At the same time I do worry about whether he would be totally committed. Having been through it in a lesser sense, I know if you're not committed to your job no matter what it is the job suffers.

I just found an article that talks about at least part of the public relations problems that may come up with this.

This is all coming from people other than Favre himself. Do I think that he is having second thoughts? Yes. Do I think he will follow through on them? No.

At this point if he were to come back, I believe it will have a negative impact on the club. There is no way he comes back as a backup. The Packers would have to start him. Then you have to question his motivation for coming back and if he can still give 100%. Then comes the question about Rodgers who clearly has to feel snubbed by the team at that point - so could he ever end up taking over?

There is nothing good here, but to stay retired. In a team with plenty of legends over their history, he is was the face of the Packers for many years. He left that way and it needs to stay that way. Even if he were to come back and have success, I think the result is a bit of a blemish on him and the organization.

Maybe the best plan would be for him to stay in shape and when Rodgers gets hurt, which he has in two of the three games he's played, Brett can come back in and be the "savior". Green bay stands behind their young QB and Favre gets to be the hero again. The only way it doesn't work is if Rodgers stays completely healthy, but I can't see that happening. It's too bad we have to watch another great player have a messy divorce from his franchise.

Does anyone see a possibility that he plays for another team?

This appears to be a fiasco for Green Bay. Personally, I think he gives them the best chance of winning next year, but that doesn't seem to matter.

What are the odds of him playing one game in Lambeau next season . . . in a Bears uniform? Would he get booed?

quote:

Originally posted by SaintFan:
What are the odds of him playing one game in Lambeau next season . . . in a Bears uniform? Would he get booed?

I don't think Favre would get booed. I do think the crowd would be a bit confused on how to act.

It would be much like the difficulty they had cheering for McMahon when he played for the Packers.

I was listening to Steve Czaban this morning on the radio and he brought up a good point. This seems to be a loophole that players could use to force themselves into free agency, if they are good enough of course.

GB has it's hands tied now. If Favre un-retires they are stuck paying him and taking a large cap hit, or they cut him and he goes wherever he wants. Or they try to trade him, and get little in return if anyone is willing to take on his contract.

This move would work for many of the top players if they wanted to play elswhere. It's much more effective than trying to hold out.

Chris Mortensen is reporting on ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” that quarterback Brett Favre has sent the Green Bay Packers a letter requesting his unconditional release.
Our View: We will be updating this story as more information becomes available, but it appears that Favre is serious about playing football in 2008.

This clinches it. I'm watching Sportscenter right now. This guy is a complete douche bag. What a fuckin' loser! Greatest of all time??? My ass! Whatever good he did on the field has been tarnished by the obvious drug usage over the last 3-4 years. I guarantee he can't pee in a cup right now and come up clean. This is a complete joke.

"Hi, I'm God. You know me as Brett Favre".

Favre is being very wishy-washy about this check out the later part of this. I can see why the Packers have moved on after this particular item.
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Brett Favre-QB- Packers Jul. 11 - 5:37 pm et
FoxSports.com's Jay Glazer and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel both report that the Packers would "never" release Brett Favre, as he requested Friday. They would rather trade him or make him Aaron Rodgers' backup.

Favre won't back up anyone, but the Packers won't just give away Favre for free. Glazer writes that Favre was set to un-retire in late March, with both GM Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy's approval. The Packers even chartered a jet for Favre to announce his return, but Favre changed his mind yet again two days before the scheduled announcement. The Packers then smartly decided to move on. This helps explain the team's motivations and why they will continue to play hardball.
Source: FoxSports.com
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This is part of the FoxSports article.
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Back in late March during the NFL owners meeting, Favre informed the Packers that he wanted to play again, multiple sources have told FOXSports.com. Not only did he insist he was returning, both head coach Mike McCarthy and GM Ted Thompson agreed that Favre still had something left to offer and they would welcome him back. Despite the fact that those close to Favre have stated Thompson did not want Favre back, Thompson's was the deciding vote in agreeing it was not too late to have him un-retire at that time and start for the Packers in 2008.

In fact, team brass went as far as chartering a jet to fly to Mississippi to make it official later that week. The agreement was that the NFL's all-time leading passer would return for the year but would play an active role in making the situation easier on Rodgers, who would now be pushed back an extra year before taking over.

The group was set for this huge move when Favre suddenly phoned the team two days before the meeting was to take place and informed McCarthy that he had changed his mind yet again and was staying retired.

While team officials were stunned by Favre's reversal, they made the decision to move on and draft his replacement, a move that Favre indicated he understood at the time. The Packers selected two quarterbacks in April's draft, Louisville's Brian Brohm in the second round and LSU's Matt Flynn in the seventh round.
Then, a few weeks ago, Favre phoned the team stating he had that "itch" again to play. However, since he had jilted the Packers in March, the team simply took his latest request with a grain of salt. In addition, the team has put considerable time and attention into making Rodgers comfortable as the heir apparent.

It would be quite interesting to know what Thompson really thinks and everything that what on over the years between them. I think it's clear those two have never seen eye to eye and probably the main reason for all the retire/unretire antics over the years. But if those latest reports are true about him un-retiring and changing his mind two days before is quite ridiculous.
The only I can see happening now is getting what they can for him in a trade to an AFC team. It seems to have become a game of egos now.

I don't understand what the big deal is if plays somewhere else, it doesn't change anything he has done in GB, his legacy or whatever. I do think GB would be more than happy to pay him $12 Mil or so and take the cap hit to keep him out of a competitors uniform vs cutting him. GB really holds all the cards and it looks like Favre has done himself in this time.

It would also be interesting to here what the rest of the Packers players think.

All I know is he wont be on the active 53 man roster week 1 unless he is the starter, because then the team will be forced to pay him his entire 12.8 million dollar cap number.

No way he would be allowed back as a backup with the mega distraction he would cause for the team or at that price.