Brett Favre Wants Packers To Release Him

The Green Bay Packers want to do the right thing in response to Brett Favre's latest round of flip-flopping on his future in football.

And as far as the team is concerned, that might mean showing No. 4 the door _ although working out a trade might be more palatable to the Packers than granting Favre the release he has requested.

Favre asked the Packers to release him so he can return to the NFL with another team after apparently being told his latest retirement reversal wasn't welcome news in Green Bay. The team said it would do "what's right" in response to Favre's request, which was first reported by ESPN on Friday.

"Brett earned and exercised the right to retire on his terms," the team's statement said.

"We wanted him to return and welcomed him back on more than one occasion. Brett's press conference and subsequent conversations in the following weeks illustrated his commitment to retirement. The finality of his decision to retire was accepted by the organization. At that point, the Green Bay Packers made the commitment to move forward with our football team."

The 38-year-old Favre retired March 6 after a 17-year career, openly sobbing as he contemplated a future without football. But almost immediately, he began dropping hints that he was having second thoughts.

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The most recent and intense round came Friday, when ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that sources close to Favre and the team told him agent James "Bus" Cook asked the Packers for Favre's release in a letter because the Packers were not receptive to the idea of Favre wanting to play again.

The Packers' front office has spent the past several offseasons dealing with weeks and months worth of speculation about the three-time MVP's future plans. But this time, they're apparently not biting.

The Packers' statement said Favre, who was placed on the reserve/retired list, has the right to petition NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to be reinstated _ a request the league would grant automatically. After that, Favre would return to the team's active roster.

But the statement did not specify what the Packers would do after that, beyond doing "what's right and in the best interest of the team."

If the team has committed to moving forward without Favre, their options once he was reinstated would include trading him to another team or releasing him so he would be free to sign with the team of his choice.

The Packers have made it clear they're committed to going with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a first-round pick in 2005 who has been sitting behind Favre for his first three seasons in the NFL.

Releasing Favre presents the possibility that he will sign with NFC North rivals Minnesota or Chicago, where he would be an upgrade over the incumbent QBs.

If the Packers traded him, there would be teams outside the division such as Baltimore or Tampa Bay, and perhaps Washington, that would be interested. There also has been speculation he could go to Miami for disgruntled defensive end Jason Taylor, the 2006 defensive player of the year.

Either way, it would be an ugly end to what has been one of the most celebrated partnerships in recent NFL history.

"As with all Packers greats, Brett's legacy will always be celebrated by our fans and the organization, regardless of any change in his personal intentions," the statement said. "Brett and Deanna will always be a part of the Packers family."

Even if that family is looking awfully dysfunctional these days.

Comments

[VegetableMan]

how shallow is that cheese curd scarfin' pos that he doesn't know the definition of the word "retire"? he should be a man and stand by his decision.

[LeonBNJ]

I think Farve, like a number of older players, is playing the team and NFL with is 'retirement' - comeback to avoid the off- and pre- season conditioning and training. Many older players hate putting themselves through it, some figure they don't need or that it is too long and wearing on their aging bodies. Problem is that it against the team concept where all are equal as to that pre-season training, it encouages others to try to avoid it and in the highly competitive NFL, you can't lose the edge of any player.

[larry278]

If this is a try out for a HP sports section, forget it. This blog is much too long & turgid.

[Gasparilla]

It's Favre's own fault. How many times has he pulled this "I'm done, maybe not, yes I am" routine? Great player, but stop the junior high theatrics.

[djwfutbol]

We play a drinking game in our house. Whenever, some media moron says the name Brett Favre, we drink. The farther the reference is to the actual play on the field (say the Chargers are playing the Jaguars), the more you have to chug. None of us have made it through an entire NFL game in the last ten years. WTFC?

[chendri887]

LOL. My goodness, you must be very, very drunk. Hasn't ESPN become the "Brett Favre Channel?"

[Sportswoman]

Everyone is wringing their hands over how unfair this all is to Aaron Rodgers, but frankly I was never that impressed with Rodgers, and he has yet to really prove himself. Brett Favre had a 66% passing completion mark in his 17th season--give me a break! He owns every QB record in the NFL.

There are billboards all over Wisconsin begging him to return. If he wants to come back then mnagement must make room for him and in camp, no way can Aaron Rodgers beat out Brett Favre, despite what the GM says. No way any coach puts in a mediocre QB like Rodgers with Favre right there.

[ResistanceisFutile]

Most interceptions for a QB?

Farve has lost more "big games" then he has won, with his careless passing.

Two years ago, Farve strung the Packers along. That year the Packers had a high draft pick and could have drafted a franchise QB.

The Packers need to protect themselves from Farve's ego.

[HopeandChange]

Favre sucks.

[chendri887]

Shouldn't Congress be holding a special all-night session to debate whether or not they must intervene and get involved in this? Lord knows the trials and tribulations of Brett Favre are more important than any of the many problems facing our declining republic, or the needs of the American middle class. Better yet, perhaps if we just project and focus all of our feelings and concerns on American professional sports, our problems will go away. Do you think? Sports, war, and church. Sports, war, and church. Oh, and consumption. In the end, isn't that a good a national slogan as any for the American republic? Come on, Congress! Do your job! Get involved in another meaningless corporate dispute so we can see your true colors.

[ChristianEcon.com]

"Sports, war, and church. Sports, war, and church. Oh, and consumption."

Lol--so true.

[liberalrebuttal]

He needs to stop playing these games with us. The Packers are a major source of income here in Wisconsin and if fans are turned off , we lose money. I lose money. In Wisconsin, the Packers are not just a Foot Ball Team. They effect our cost of living. Favre needs to stop playing games.

[Heathnyy5]

First of all, the Pack will sell-out (which is the only thing that helps the local market, as merchandise sold anywhere other than Green Bay wouldn't help the local economy too much: just the NFL with a percentage going to the Packers organization. Unless you're a stock owner, the eight games during the season and the potential (as last year) to host two more is all that can be asked for, and the Pack tied for the most in the NFL last year.
I agree that Favre has unintentionally held the team hostage the last few years as he made up his mind, but in each case his return was what was best for the team both financially and on the field of play. Without Favre coming back, while the Pack will still sell out every game, the chances are less likely to make it to the postseason. He is the face of the franchise, and it must find a new face if he doesn't come back. It could be Aaron Rodgers, who (despite his time on the bench the past several years) really amounts to a rookie, or it could be a leader on the defense. The Pack must fix this situation as soon as possible, otherwise it will start to effect the team regardless of what happens; it can negatively effect Aaron Rodgers if he thinks the team isn't with him solidly. Whatever the decision is, it must be made soon.

[WIpatriot]

We love Brett and he'll be one of the greatest Packers in all of history, but enough is enough.

Why TF are you doing this, Brett? You friggin' retired.

[Uosdwis]

Nobody "leaves" the Packers, capisce? Just when you think you're out, they PULL you back in!

[AliAli]

Bret is taking advice form H1llary and Mark Penn!

[Heathnyy5]

The Packers organization owes a lot more than this to Brett Favre. Sure he has taken a lot of time to make his decision on retirement the last several years, but for all he has done for them over his career, they should let him go. I completely understand their decision to move ahead with Aaron Rodgers after all this time, but Favre has earned the right to either be the starter or be freed to start on another team. Last year he showed he can still be a great player.

For so long the Packers have been Brett Favre, and vice versa. Even as a Giants fan, there was something special to having playoff football in Lambeau this past season. If Favre will not be leading the Pack, then he should be free to go somewhere else. While it is sad to have our heros wind up in strange jerseys, it is certainly nothing new. It already happened in the NFL to Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Emmit Smith, and more, and in other sports Wayne Gretzky (who played for 4 teams during his NHL career), Michael Jordan, and Babe Ruth (arguably each the greatest in his sport's history) all ended their careers for teams other than the one with which they are most associated and remembered; Favre would certainly be in good company. And as one of the best Quarter Backs of all-time, great company is what he will always keep.

[Moarku]

I agree that he should be the starter or be free to go somewhere else. But the issue here isn't just that, but the fact that he's still under contract, and therefore it's perfectly reasonable for them to have him go to another team as a trade, rather than just watch him go to another team and get nothing in return.

Sure he deserves all the respect in the world, but they've given him a hell of a lot over the years too. And he's a big enough boy to understand this is a business and that the way to resolve this is a trade rather than a release.

[Heathnyy5]

I agree that there should be a trade if it can be agreed to. I would rather every party get something from the deal and that Green Bay get something for giving a QB who last year even at his "advanced" age produced one of the better seasons in the league. It will be strange of course, as I said before, to see Favre in anything other than a Packers jersey (those pics of a much fatter Favre when he was a Falcon prior to coming to Green Bay always seemed fake) it will be no odder than Montana in a Chiefs jersey, Jerry Rice in a Raiders jersey, or (oddest of all at first) Michael Jordan in a Wizards jersey.

Hopefully it can be worked out for all sides (although, funny enough while the Packers will want to keep him out of the division, it would seem each team in the NFC North would be made better with Favre. However, Favre wants a chance to win, and that will certainly not come from the Lions, whomever else it may come from). It would be a shame to not have Brett Favre involved in the NFL if he really wants to come back.

[Kman2]

The following quote was heard at the Vikings fan club headquarters today: "hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha"

[craneman]

Maybe Favre could snuggle up to Elway, and ask to tryout for the Colorado Crush.

[detached]

Free Brett Farve! Free Brett Farve! He would look sooo good in purple!

[Kman2]

I don't think it's realistic, but that would make for good theater at Lambeau on Sept 8th MNF if Mr. Favre were to show up with horns on his helmet. Record ratings for sure.

[StaggerLee]

He'd look even better with a big orange C on the side of his helmet.

[ChristianEcon.com]

Burgundy and gold! Maybe he could distract congress away from destroying the Constitution for a few minutes.