Why The Packers Would Be Better Off Without Brett Favre
Why The Packers Would Be Better Off Without Brett Favre
- by WagerWeb
Since the end of the 2005 NFL season, all the talk surrounding the Green Bay Packers has been whether Brett Favre will be back for his fifteenth season with the club. From the time Favre was first asked about retirement back in January, he has been non-committal, saying he needed more time to make his decision.
It’s now just about a week before the NFL draft, and the future Hall-of-Famer is still keeping the team and the fans in the dark. Favre has said he wants to see what direction the team is headed before he makes his decision, but how are the Packers supposed to determine that if they don’t know who their starting quarterback is going to be?
Money to Spend
Entering the offseason, Green Bay was a league-high $35 million under the salary cap. After some less-than-impressive signings of players like Marquand Manuel and Marc Boerigter and re-signing some of their own unrestricted free agents such as Najeh Davenport, the Packers are still $19 million under the cap. If Favre returns, Green Bay might use some of its leftover millions to attract some of the remaining free agents out there such as LaVar Arrington. They could probably even compete for the playoffs in the weak NFC North with some key additions.
Because Favre has taken so long to make up his mind, the team has been caught in the middle trying to decide whether it should make a push for the playoffs or look toward the future and begin rebuilding. Green Bay has already missed out on some of the bigger names on the free agent market like Edgerrin James and John Abraham, and if it waits any longer, the remaining 130 or so are going to sign elsewhere, too.
Not only have the Packers been handcuffed in free agency by Favre’s indecision, but now the draft is around the corner, and they need to decide in what direction they will go.
The Heir Apparent
Green Bay drafted Aaron Rodgers last year, but the jury is still out on the former Cal star. The team will undoubtedly give Rodgers time to grow into the position, but with the Packers drafting fifth overall in this year’s draft and highly touted prospects like Matt Leinart, Vince Young, Jay Cutler and Kellen Clemons available, they could take a chance on another QB if they knew Favre wasn’t coming back.
The team has many other needs besides quarterback on both sides of the line and most likely would be drafting defense no matter what Favre’s status. While it’s doubtful they would choose a quarterback with their first-round pick two seasons in a row, knowing if they have a 15-year veteran at QB or a second-year player who’s completed nine NFL passes has to make a big difference in deciding what players the team wants to surround its field general.
Trade Bait
There’s no questioning that Favre has had a brilliant career. He almost single-handedly led the Packers back to prominence, taking them to two Super Bowls in the ’90s. Their victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI was the first championship for the franchise since the Lombardi era and restored Green Bay as one of the elite franchises in the league.
Because of his accomplishments, the legions of Cheeseheads are unconditionally loyal to Favre, as they should be. However, it’s undeniable that Favre’s skills are diminishing. His decision-making in particular seems to have left him. He continually tries to force balls into the teeth of the defense, resulting in a career-high 29 interceptions last season. His 70.9 quarterback rating last season also was the worst of his career.
Favre, like many of the experts, still believes he can play at a high level. He says he wants to come back to the Packers if they can assure him they will compete for the Super Bowl. After last season’s 4-12 debacle, that’s highly doubtful no matter whom they draft or sign.
If Favre really wants to try to win another Super Bowl, his best chance is with another team. I’m sure teams like Baltimore, Tampa Bay, and Washington might be willing to give up some draft picks and/or players to try to make a run at the Super Bowl with Favre. At this point, Green Bay should just take the best deal they can get, retire his jersey, and face the reality of life after Brett.
Betting odds on Green Bay Packers to win the Superbowl. Click Here
About author
Jackie, Sports Columnist,born in San Jose, Costa Rica. Started in the sports business 15 years ago, my interests are mostly sports events.
