Five Favre scenarios
Let’s break down the possibilities:
1. The Packers Sincerely Will Allow Favre and Rodgers To Compete.
In light of the organization’s bipolar tendencies of recent weeks, it’s hard not to be skeptical of anything Murphy or general manager Ted Thompson says right now. But it’s quite possible that, given the circumstances – no trade offers they consider overly enticing; a desire not to allow the Vikings to acquire Favre for nothing; the quarterback’s rejection of a reported 10-year, $20-million licensing deal and calling of the team’s bluff by choosing to report; commissioner Roger Goodell’s intervention – the Pack’s powers that be caved and decided to go with the best player, Rodgers’ feelings be damned.
2. The Packers Will Rig the Competition In Rodgers’ Favor. Because Thompson and McCarthy clearly made a psychic shift toward the fourth-year passer in March, when Favre recanted on his initial decision to end his retirement, I wonder whether they’re truly open to reversing course. Telling Favre he has the right to compete for his job could be an effort to placate him – and create leverage with trade partners such as the Vikings – while sticking with the plan they’ve had in place all along. If a trade can’t be worked out, they might be thinking, perhaps Favre will become disgusted, take the licensing deal and retire after all.
3. The Packers Will Trade Favre (Even If They Have To Make A Lousy Deal).
Though head coach Brad Childress denied the Packers contacted the Vikings on Friday about a potential deal for Favre, I believe the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s report was accurate. Certainly, the Packers would listen to offers, and the team’s insistence that Favre is being welcomed back might merely be an attempt to jack up the stakes.
4. The Packers Will Release Favre Before the Start of the Season. Assuming Rodgers is declared the winner of the competition, be it legitimate or rigged, and there are no sufficient trade offers, the team then would wait until a few days before the first regular-season game and grant Favre his freedom. That would put him in a tough spot, even if he were to sign with a team that features an offense with which he is familiar, like the Vikings. Oh, and by the way, Minnesota opens its season at Lambeau on Monday, Sept. 8. Again, it seems unlikely Thompson and McCarthy would go to this much trouble – and create this much tension for Rodgers – if this is the ultimate intention. But I suppose it’s possible.
5. The Packers Will Give Favre His Job Back, Consequences Be Damned. The franchise and its all-time passing leader are like co-dependents in a lousy relationship, and neither side can walk away. For years Favre has been conflicted about his intentions, overly sensitive when he feels he’s not getting enough love from his superiors and chafed when they don’t run the team the way he wants them to (i.e. not trading for Randy Moss after the ‘06 season). Thompson, meanwhile, puts up a tough front but seems to live in fear of alienating Favre and his fan base.
1. The Packers Sincerely Will Allow Favre and Rodgers To Compete.
In light of the organization’s bipolar tendencies of recent weeks, it’s hard not to be skeptical of anything Murphy or general manager Ted Thompson says right now. But it’s quite possible that, given the circumstances – no trade offers they consider overly enticing; a desire not to allow the Vikings to acquire Favre for nothing; the quarterback’s rejection of a reported 10-year, $20-million licensing deal and calling of the team’s bluff by choosing to report; commissioner Roger Goodell’s intervention – the Pack’s powers that be caved and decided to go with the best player, Rodgers’ feelings be damned.
2. The Packers Will Rig the Competition In Rodgers’ Favor. Because Thompson and McCarthy clearly made a psychic shift toward the fourth-year passer in March, when Favre recanted on his initial decision to end his retirement, I wonder whether they’re truly open to reversing course. Telling Favre he has the right to compete for his job could be an effort to placate him – and create leverage with trade partners such as the Vikings – while sticking with the plan they’ve had in place all along. If a trade can’t be worked out, they might be thinking, perhaps Favre will become disgusted, take the licensing deal and retire after all.
3. The Packers Will Trade Favre (Even If They Have To Make A Lousy Deal).
Though head coach Brad Childress denied the Packers contacted the Vikings on Friday about a potential deal for Favre, I believe the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s report was accurate. Certainly, the Packers would listen to offers, and the team’s insistence that Favre is being welcomed back might merely be an attempt to jack up the stakes.
4. The Packers Will Release Favre Before the Start of the Season. Assuming Rodgers is declared the winner of the competition, be it legitimate or rigged, and there are no sufficient trade offers, the team then would wait until a few days before the first regular-season game and grant Favre his freedom. That would put him in a tough spot, even if he were to sign with a team that features an offense with which he is familiar, like the Vikings. Oh, and by the way, Minnesota opens its season at Lambeau on Monday, Sept. 8. Again, it seems unlikely Thompson and McCarthy would go to this much trouble – and create this much tension for Rodgers – if this is the ultimate intention. But I suppose it’s possible.
5. The Packers Will Give Favre His Job Back, Consequences Be Damned. The franchise and its all-time passing leader are like co-dependents in a lousy relationship, and neither side can walk away. For years Favre has been conflicted about his intentions, overly sensitive when he feels he’s not getting enough love from his superiors and chafed when they don’t run the team the way he wants them to (i.e. not trading for Randy Moss after the ‘06 season). Thompson, meanwhile, puts up a tough front but seems to live in fear of alienating Favre and his fan base.
