I understand the competitive nature of the world's greatest athletes, and when it comes to the case of Brett Favre, I don't think anyone loves gamedays more. However, for a man who has accomplished everything there is to do in this sport, it's time to make a decision...a concrete decision.
When he made his decision to retire after the season, questions were already swirling about whether he would stay retired or not. I know it is difficult when you are arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time and all you've known is professional football for the past 17 years. At the same time though, you put the Packers through this a year ago. The result was Favre taking the entire offseason to decide he was coming back for another year. This time, whether he rushed his decision or not, he decided it was over. He had nothing left to give, except for a few hours on Sundays, and as he said it himself, "in football you can't do that." That decision set off a chain reaction that determined how the Packers would move forward during the offseason.
Aaron Rodgers must have breathed a sigh of relief, believing he would finally get his opportunity to run this team after riding the bench for years. The Packers moved forward as such and have declared publically he is their starting quarterback for next season. He is now taking all the first team reps and doing his best to win over the trust of his teammates. I'm sure it doesn't help when everyday you have to think about whether Brett Favre wants to come back and take your job away from you. In addition, Green Bay drafted Louisville QB Brian Brohm in the second round. If Favre was to come back, you are looking at keeping your first-round pick of four years ago on the bench again and your second-round pick of this year as your third stringer.
On top of everything else, Favre's impending retirement papers were supposed to free up around $9 million in cap space. If he comes back, who needs to be cut to make room for him? What if the Packers don't want to release anyone to accommodate Favre? What if they want to move forward? It's like having a rough break-up with your girlfriend, and just as you start to get over it and see someone you think you have potential with, you get that late-night text message from your ex, wanting to talk things over.
What if, God forbid, Favre wants to come back with another team? Does anyone really want to see that? Did anyone want to see Joe Montana put on that Chiefs uniform? We are now getting into the realm of tarnishing legacies. For all intents and purposes, Brett Favre has the most storied career in NFL history: 17 years, the record for most consecutive games played, every passing record possible, a Super Bowl championship, MVP awards, Pro Bowls and all of it with the same team. There's a lot to be said for that. Favre is one of the most lovable players of the last two decades and a clear fan favorite, and not just in Green Bay. My 13-year-old cousin in Jacksonville, Fl. is enamored with Favre, spurning his hometown Jaguars and asking for a Favre jersey for Christmas! He hasn't even been alive for all of Favre's career!
Don't get me wrong, Favre is a legend and in that sense he deserves to decide when his career is over on his own terms. However, toying with the emotions of your fans and the direction of an organization is straining the relationship. Make the decision on your own terms, but make it in a reasonable amount of time. I hope Favre makes the right decision for himself and the Packers organization, it's difficult to sit back and watch it unfold three times a day on ESPN. Either commit to it or don't, but you've been mulling it over for the last two years. It's time Brett, you can't drag this out anymore.
When he made his decision to retire after the season, questions were already swirling about whether he would stay retired or not. I know it is difficult when you are arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time and all you've known is professional football for the past 17 years. At the same time though, you put the Packers through this a year ago. The result was Favre taking the entire offseason to decide he was coming back for another year. This time, whether he rushed his decision or not, he decided it was over. He had nothing left to give, except for a few hours on Sundays, and as he said it himself, "in football you can't do that." That decision set off a chain reaction that determined how the Packers would move forward during the offseason.
Aaron Rodgers must have breathed a sigh of relief, believing he would finally get his opportunity to run this team after riding the bench for years. The Packers moved forward as such and have declared publically he is their starting quarterback for next season. He is now taking all the first team reps and doing his best to win over the trust of his teammates. I'm sure it doesn't help when everyday you have to think about whether Brett Favre wants to come back and take your job away from you. In addition, Green Bay drafted Louisville QB Brian Brohm in the second round. If Favre was to come back, you are looking at keeping your first-round pick of four years ago on the bench again and your second-round pick of this year as your third stringer.
On top of everything else, Favre's impending retirement papers were supposed to free up around $9 million in cap space. If he comes back, who needs to be cut to make room for him? What if the Packers don't want to release anyone to accommodate Favre? What if they want to move forward? It's like having a rough break-up with your girlfriend, and just as you start to get over it and see someone you think you have potential with, you get that late-night text message from your ex, wanting to talk things over.
What if, God forbid, Favre wants to come back with another team? Does anyone really want to see that? Did anyone want to see Joe Montana put on that Chiefs uniform? We are now getting into the realm of tarnishing legacies. For all intents and purposes, Brett Favre has the most storied career in NFL history: 17 years, the record for most consecutive games played, every passing record possible, a Super Bowl championship, MVP awards, Pro Bowls and all of it with the same team. There's a lot to be said for that. Favre is one of the most lovable players of the last two decades and a clear fan favorite, and not just in Green Bay. My 13-year-old cousin in Jacksonville, Fl. is enamored with Favre, spurning his hometown Jaguars and asking for a Favre jersey for Christmas! He hasn't even been alive for all of Favre's career!
Don't get me wrong, Favre is a legend and in that sense he deserves to decide when his career is over on his own terms. However, toying with the emotions of your fans and the direction of an organization is straining the relationship. Make the decision on your own terms, but make it in a reasonable amount of time. I hope Favre makes the right decision for himself and the Packers organization, it's difficult to sit back and watch it unfold three times a day on ESPN. Either commit to it or don't, but you've been mulling it over for the last two years. It's time Brett, you can't drag this out anymore.
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