I have an idea. Trade Rodgers, keep Favre!
I’m crazy. I’ll admit it. After thinking about the possibility of Brett Favre coming back and playing for a team loaded with talent I’ve decided I know what’s best for the Packers. General Manager Ted Thompson needs to trade Aaron Rodgers and bring back Favre for another Super Bowl run……or two!
You may think I’m an idiot but consider this. The Packers were an overtime from the Super Bowl last year. This off season they’ve tried to acquire Miami Dolphin super defensive end Jason Taylor, but have been rebuffed because Taylor has said a Favreless Packers is unappealing. The Packers also had concern that Taylor would only play one more season. Favre has two years left on his contract. Do you see where I’m going with this?
If the Packers offer Rodgers in a trade to Miami, who is in desperate need of a quarterback, and demand draft picks with Taylor I think that Miami would have to strongly consider the deal. Perhaps they would even package a number one pick for a seasoned, young starter with tremendous upside.
This could be in the best interest for all parties. Taylor could be convinced to play two more seasons if Favre will play out his contract. The Packers have two rookie quarterbacks to get two years experience behind Brett and one will eventually take over. Rodgers goes to a team with no pressure of taking over for a legend. That will fall on either Brian Brohm or Matt Flynn. All the media frenzy around him and his comments goes away. Best of all? No more Favre questions or comparisons! Genius right? I know!
I don’t think anyone is thrilled with the way Favre or the Packers management handled his retirement. There should have been more words exchanged about staying, and Favre shouldn’t have retired if there was even a possibility of returning. I was as mad as anyone when I first heard rumblings of his “itch”. I also saw this coming since the day he said he had nothing left to offer. Training camp is right around the corner and Favre has that fire back. All will be forgiven after his first 72 yard bomb to Greg Jennings down the sideline at Lambeau against the Queens on the night his number was to be retired.
This could be the beginning of a John Elwayesque run of monumental proportions for both Favre and the Packers. There would not longer be any doubt who the number one quarterback of all time is. The NFC North will be shaking in their lace underoos. Hell, the whole NFL will be shaking in their frilly, pink, lace underoos. We, as Packer fans, need to embrace Favre if he decides….wait, when he comes back. When he hoists the Lombardi trophy later this year we’ll all be remembering these moments. You heard it hear first. I just hope Thompson reads this blog!
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38 Responses to “I have an idea. Trade Rodgers, keep Favre!”
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:09 pm
there you go casey! i’m 100% on board with this idea. get thompson on the horn now!
if TT thinks he can just turn away the man, who along with reggie white, turned the packers away from obscurity, he better look for some good bodyguards because i bet there a lot of backwoods wisconsinites who would open a new hunting season if favre suited up in anything but the green and gold.
“Something’s bound to happen….”
—Brett Favre on Late Show with David Letterman
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I want Favre to come back as well…..but only if he PROMISES to play 2 more years…..then I agree, we should trade Rodgers, and starting grooming Brohm or Flynn…..
But Favre has to come out publicly and pronounce he will come back for 2 more years…no retirement talk unless he gets injured…..
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:50 pm
You’re all crazy. Rodgers won’t fetch as much as he’ll be worth for us in a year or two. Favre is a short-term solution only, and I question whether he can avoid the temptation to force the ball for three consecutive games against playoff competition–i.e. I doubt he’ll bring the Trophy home. Rodgers may not, either, but we’ll have a lot more chances with him.
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:30 pm
I’m not so sure. I’ve seen one half of decent football out of Rodgers. I’m not willing to anoint him our best chance of winning. I know what I’m getting with Brett. I’ve watched him be amazing for 16 years. Even his bad years were fun to watch. (his talent around him was horrible) I also have some commitment to him. As a business they may not, but as a fan I do. I don’t think he’s a short term solution. He’s still the solution that we’ve had 16 years. With Brohm in the stable we’re also still looking to the future. The NFL is a win now league. Why not go for two quickies with a great QB? Of course, I am a little crazy. Nothing wrong with that. This is quite an emotional roller coaster!!
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I am kinda a sucker for great story lines too. Brett coming back would be more exciting than just about anything I can imagine. Even though I think it was a little slick willy the way he’s doing it.
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Like I said in my article, I’d take him back as long as he is commited. And I’m not ready to anoint Rodgers yet, either. But I sure as hell ain’t tradin’ him in what would be a buyer’s market (if we shop him, teams know we’ve given up on him, and that drives down his value) when the guy we’re relying on might not even come back next year. I’m givin’ Rodgers a chance before I’m lettin’ him go for almost nothing, and I want more than one guy for the eventuality that Favre does STAY retired.
July 4th, 2008 at 1:03 am
I’d do it. I think Favre has two good years left in him. When you’re at the top in the NFL, you never play for more than two years down the road. You’ve got to take the opportunity when it presents itself.
The Packers are a Super Bowl contender with Favre this year, with Rodgers, who knows? Why take the chance? The Packers have traded Brunelli, Hasselbeck, and Brooks. Those were all the right moves and continuing to play Favre over Rodgers is too.
July 4th, 2008 at 8:32 am
If you stop being a fan and start being objective you wil choose Rodgers over Favre. He is a MUCH better long term solution and if you are you are willing to dig deep enough into your soul you might even come to the conclusion that Rodgers gives you a better chance come play off time as he will take better care of the ball.
July 4th, 2008 at 9:52 am
The ONLY way I welcome Brett back is if he gives the team a 2-year commitment. Then you trade Rodgers and get what you can for him and let Brohm develop. If Brett won’t give you that, then I want no part of him in Green Bay.
July 4th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Thats what I’m saying. Two year commitment. It is still hard to say what we’ll get from Rodgers. I’m not going to assume we’ll be better off because he’s younger or that he had one good half of NFL experience. I think the Packers front office is hating this! What excitement. I refuse to be upset about any of this anymore. This is great drama.
July 4th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
You make some real valid points here.
July 4th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I agree that IF Favre gives a 2-year committment (which I really think he won’t — after all, he has never been willing to make such a committment. Why would he do so at 39 years of age?), then the idea is a solid one. At this point, I’ve tried not to pay too much attention to all the radio talk on this subject. Because it’s all speculation seeing as neither Favre nor his agent have publicly commented that the rumors are true, I’ve decided not to get to worked up about it. When something substantial comes up — something that doesn’t include the words “speculation,” “rumor,” and “anonymous sources say” — then I’ll start paying more attention. If there is something to it, then I question Favre’s approach to the situation. Playing these kinds of games, if he’s actually doing so, doesn’t sit well with me. Either come out with something overtly, or, as Rodgers might say, keep your mouth shut
Personally I want to leave the Favre era behind and start the Rodgers era. I have a feeling that the front office wants the same as well. I have a great love for Favre, but how can he give it his all when he said in his retirement press conference that he was too tired to go through another season of all the hours watching tape, preparing, working out, etc.? He said it wasn’t fun anymore. How’s it going to all of a sudden be fun for him?
Don’t you think Rodgers is pulling his hair out right now? I heard a joke on the radio saying that somebody reported seeing A-Rodg boarding a plane to Mississippi weilding a blunt object . . .
July 4th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Bring back the Fav-ra, as a fan with a mostly practical approach I wonder why it has become a more practical idea to rely on the new and unknown (in game time situations) with Rodgers, than the old and predictable Brett. It’s like T.T. bought a new box of Lucky Charms cereal demanding to open before finishing his already opened box of Wheaties first. Who’s does the “front office” consist of T.T. and some furniture, it seems there is too much pride in the way to bring back number 4? Personally the only way I see it fit for Rodgers to lead the Pack is with a Favre injury, then Aaron will get his turn and the rest of G.B. can live happily ever after……
July 4th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
I wish Favre would stop with the back and forth drama already. Frankly, Brett’s playoff performances vs the Giants, the Eagles, the Rams, and the Jets were D- material. Rodgers also outplayed Favre in the Dallas game last season by far, straight off the bench with no warning and no 1st team reps in practice.
I would be for taking Favre back as his overall performance last season was still good and he is in solid shape for his age. But, it may be possible that Rodgers is the Packers best QB right now. Sometimes a vet gets in the way of a talented young player’ development and that may be the case with Rodgers, though he needs to get through a season without a freak injury. Also, the “fans need to get on board” comment was way out of line, even considering the context. Dude is kind of a frat boy knob, part of the reason he slipped in the draft is a rep for being abrasive, and that rep showed with the fans comment. He then backpeadled without apologizing. 2 knob moves back to back.
IMO with Brohm on board and Favre back for at least one season, with all the weapons available at WR Green Bay would have a perfect setup for a Rodgers/Jason Taylor move. Rodgers would push out career journeyman pocketpasser Josh McCown in Miami, and the ‘Fins would have two 2nd Round picks, John Beck of BYU and Chad Henne of Michigan, behind Rodgers as quality backups. GB gets an impact D Lineman hungry for one last shot at a Superbowl, and a guy who’s contract would expire before the NFL potentially goes salary capless in the next few years vs having to make a decision on Rodgers for substantial $. Brian Brohm is what makes the deal doable. If Favre were to come back and win a SB, I really doubt he could walk away without trying for a repeat. Brohm would then have time to develop and get comfortable with the West Coast offense. GB has cultivated and traded QB’s in the Favre era before (Hasselback, Brunell, Brooks)…….but, all this speculation is contingent upon Favre actually cutting the BS and saying Yes or No one way or another already.
If TT/Bob Harlan et al had pulled the trigger on the Randy Moss deal GB would have another Lombardi Trophy in the Packer Hall of Fame and Favre would def not have done the whole “I can’t do it I’m too mentally exhausted”/’Maybe not” routine and we could have traded Rodgers for Taylor on draft day after the Brohm selection.
“Shouda coulda woulda” Charlie Buchberger
July 4th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
u guys need to get over it and understand that farve is done. i no its hard to let go but move on
July 5th, 2008 at 3:52 am
Arobertson: One thing Favre never was or will be is predictable.
July 5th, 2008 at 10:28 am
favre is a flip-flopping bonehead sometimes. he has been for the last several offseasons. as a fan it’s tough to deal with and as an nfl front office it must be even tougher. but the bottom line is, if brett would have said in Feb/March that he was coming back for another season everyone would have been dancing in the street. now that it’s a few months later and favre is playing his annual ‘maybe i will maybe i won’t’ games, we are posing ultimatums (’either favre makes a 2 year committment or we walk’ or ‘i would only take favre if he competes with Rodgers for the job,’ and other such ridiculousness) to the most decorated quarterback in nfl history (notice i didn’t say the BEST, so save your montana/elway/etc comments). in my opinion, that is the stance which is crazy. if favre decides he wants to play, it doesn’t necessarily mean we ship Rodgers out (would the pack have traded him had Favre came out immediately and said he would return? i doubt it. one more year on clipboard patrol is not going to kill this kid). Favre is a wiley veteran that a team can get behind, he gives the packers national exposure/respect/noteriaty that we would not have without him. notice how jason taylor had no interest in a favre-less packers team? remember when free agents wouldn’t even pick up the phone if the packers called? turn your back on favre and we are right back there. we ended last season with favre as our quarterback. a lot of things happen in the offseason, typically not retirement/unretirement soap operas, but it’s my thought that in order for favre to not be the quarterback of the GBP he must LOSE the job because of performance or injury, NOT because he can’t make up his damn mind. i’ll take one more shot at a feel-good favre-led super bowl run over protecting the ego and/or development of an unproven quarterback who we should have never drafted in the first place any day. Come back Brett, we would better off, always have been.
July 5th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Its Favre’s decision to make in my opinion also. Last night at the Green Bay fireworks they had ones that would have a green 4 and then a red heart afterward. The crowds went wild. Part of me wants Brett back purely for the story and the drama. There would be no better story line in the NFL. If he came through it would be one of the best NFL stories of all time. If he didn’t I think it would be forgotten and not ruin anything. People would say it does now, but 5 years from now they wouldn’t. Does anyone think 45 (besides Jim Rome) when they think Jordan? NO! Its 23 and championships. I think the same is for Favre.
July 5th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Bad Idea.
This team is in prime position to make a smooth transition from Favre to Rodgers. Why screw that up?
Favre was a great player. Maybe the best ever. But was he really great the last few seasons? Did that game against NY really leave you wanting more?
Green Bay fans have to decide if they love Favre more than they love the Packers. That, to me, is the clear choice here.
July 5th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
That would be sweet to have Favre throw for a TD on the day of his retirement. Makes me giddy.
July 5th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Miami has john beck and chad henne. They won’t want another young and unproven(even with high upside) QB. Since they want atleast a second rounder for Jason Taylor…how can some of you even think that Miami would cough up high draft picks and Taylor for Rodgers in a trade.
Some of you may be mistaking the dolphins for the Bucs because I don’t see the dolphins collecting QBs.
Keep dreaming
July 5th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Al Harris was on ESPN a few days back and it seemed like he would be titalated with the idea of Favre returning. I wonder how the rest of the team feels about it? With Brett it seems like they sure as heck would give it everything + a little extra something to get to the Superbowl. With Rodgers the motivation is to do as good as they did last year. The season ending loss to NY DOES leave me wanting more. G.B. as a TEAM lost to NY because the Giants were an exceptional team last year, even the perfect Patriots could not get the “easy” win. How can the Packers turn their back on a legend? Let the guy play if he wants to, T.T. needs to quit being being a wuss about offending Rodgers and reinstall the locker (who does that?). I’m not the ONLY one dreaming.
“Green Bay is number 4″ — ESPN on Titletown
July 5th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Casey, I wish I would’ve went to the fireworks in Green Bay!
July 6th, 2008 at 2:03 am
Out with the future, in with the past… thats how the old saying goes right??
Why would Thompson in his right mind trade the future of the franchise for another player on the verge of retiring?
Probably the most unintelligent article I’ve ever read.
July 6th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Mr. Farthing, who says that Rodgers is definitely the future in Green Bay? You’ve seen one half of football from the guy? I was excited to have him start this year. I won’t lie about that, but I’d be even more excited for a Brett Favre return. We have two more young quarterbacks who could just as easily learn in a year or two what Rodgers did.
If you can seriously look at last year and say Favre is washed up you are completely crazy.
Also, you’re way too cranky. Try to have some fun in your life today. Perhaps take a walk, go fishing, do something that you enjoy and get a little crazy. Hell, I admit it in the first line. It is crazy, but it would be the best story ever if it worked out. If it didn’t? At least they tried.
July 6th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Rogers is not the “future of the franchise”.
Brian Brohm has the better skill set, once he picks up the West Coast Offense and recovers from the severe repeated beatings he took last season at Louisville behind a terrible O Line with a sieve Defense, he will most likely overtake Rodgers for the starting job. Brohm is bigger, has the better arm and is equally accurate. Rogers is more mobile and at the moment is more experienced with the Packer’s offense. Rodgers hasn’t managed to stay healthy as a BACKUP, do you think you can bank on him being the “future of the franchise” while both starting OT’s are in their 30’s and TT tries to develop Day 2 picks to take their places long term? Ridiculous.
Other than FAVRE, Green Bay does not have a franchise caliber player at the moment. Brian Brohm could easily be a better QB than Rogers within 2 seasons. Green Bay was one OT away from a Super Bowl last season, and is bringing back essentially the same team plus Jordy Nelson, Jermichael Finley, Patrick Lee and maybe a win motivated impact pass rush DE in Jason Taylor to go with Pro Bowl DE Aaron Kampmann. A quality starting DE>a backup QB any day. It’s not even close.
July 6th, 2008 at 11:59 am
see point 2…..none of the above comments changed my mind….if Favre only wants to play this year yet, I don’t think that is good enough……he needs to show us some committment…
That being said, we have no idea if Rodgers is our QB of the future…..a half of good football against the Cowboys does not glowingly tell me that Rodgers is our savior….
I want #4 behind center this year for the Green and Gold, but I wish he would have planned a little better….if before the draft he would have told TT and MM that he would play 2 more years, we would not have drafted 2 QB’s..we could have enhanced our team in other more crucial areas..
July 6th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Calling me cranky doesn’t make your point any less invalid. In fact, it probably means you have nothing to refute my argument with. All you’re proposing is a short term fix. One that would never logically happen.
Favre’s arm isn’t what it once was. It isn’t enough anymore to make up for his (at times) poor decision making. Sure Rodgers as only played 1 half of football in the NFL, but in 1 half he mananged to out-play the legend himself and take it to the NFC’s best team at that point. Brohm on the other hand, has played 0 halves of football in the NFL, but did manage to go 6 - 6 with a team that was ranked #5 during preseason. Thats one hell of a skill set he’s got there. All Rodgers ever did in college was beat a previously undefeated USC team while throwing only 1 incompletion.
All that aside, let’s say the Dolphins are dumb enough to trade a pro bowler and some draft picks for Rodgers and your crazy hypothetical situation does happen. Now the Packers have Favre, Brohm, and Taylor. Where does Taylor play? At Left End instead of perennial pro bowler Aaron Kampman? Or at Right End instead of Cullen Jenkins and KGB? Face it, the Packers are already stacked at defensive end. Anyway, the Packers fail to make the superbowl again in the talent heavy NFC. Favre and Taylor retire. Now what do we have to show for that trade? A couple draft picks and an untested rookie who couldn’t win more than 6 games with a #5 team. Guess what, he won’t be winning more than 6 in the NFL.
July 6th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Louisville’s preseason ranking means zero. They ended up being a very bad overall team, using a new offensive system in 2007 with a new coach, and a terrible offensive line that had Brohm running for his life all year. Combine that with a bottom 20% defense, when the opposition knows you have to throw, your getting killed. Look at Brians’ stats even with a bad team, and factor in a reconstructed ACL. 4,000+ yards passing, 30 TD’s, and a 150 QB rating throwing to no names. Forgive Brohm if he couldn’t play D, run block and play QB in a fresh offense minus All American RB Michael Bush and OL Jason Spitz on a reconstructed knee all at the same time.
Rogers will be better than Brohm this season without question. I would not want Brohm starting at any point this year. Beyond that, I would wager Brohm becomes the better pro as he does have better physical tools than Rogers with the exception of straight line speed. Brohm simply has the bigger arm, frame and is as accurate as Rodgers, with a quick release, the ability to make reads, stand in the pocket and deliver under pressure. Rogers has some of those traits also, but is smaller in both height and bulk. Brohm is the better long term prospect for less money. And, Rogers is clearly more fragile. Brohm had one substantial injury over the last 3 years as a stater, Rogers keeps getting dinged as a backup.
Rogers did play very well against USC, but it has become painfully obvious that Matt Lienart and Mike Williams were extremely overrated players. Rogers’ high completion % was due to the Jim Tedford style of offense that emphasizes quick reads and dump offs, not lower %/higher reward downfield passes with more progressions.
Rodgers played lights out vs Dallas on the road. But that’s one game. Favre’s overall body of work over his career and going 13-3 last season despite being less than 100% and old trumps one half of football by Rogers.
Jason Taylor would start at Right DE, with Cullen Jenkins taking over at pass rush DT for Corey Williams and KGB returning slowly to the lineup with a surgically repaired knee that has kept him out of any offseason work so far, and may keep him out of part of training camp. At DT, with no Williams, a banged up Harrell, banged up Jolly, and a bunch of 2 gap hogs in Pickett/Cole/Muir et al, Green Bay needs inside pass rushers like Jenkins.
Now your assuming Green Bay can’t make the Superbowl with essentially the same team minus a backup QB, plus a Pro Bowl DE, an upgrade at Nickel/Dime CB, TE, and WR, another year of development from Ryan Grant/Brandon Jackson, plus whoever else TT brings in between now and the trading deadline.
And, if Rogers is traded plus Favre and Taylor retire, TT couldn’t put that substantial extra cap space to work.
Next.
July 6th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
lol Lienart and Williams being terrible, that I agree with.
However, you’re assuming Rodgers had a stacked team at Cal. I think it’s even more painfully obvious how aweful J.J. Arrington is.
July 7th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
couldn’t agree woth your comment more.
(Moss>Jones says:
July 6th, 2008 at 5:27 pm )
Taylor addition with a Favre return = Dream team.
July 7th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I couldn’t be happier with the amount of information and thoughtfulness our readers have. Besides being called “unintelligent” (which I, at times, whole heartedly agree with) I thoroughly enjoyed reading the comments. Thank you for all the input!
July 8th, 2008 at 2:22 am
Routing for the underdog!
July 11th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I’m not sure why GBP management wouldn’t want Brett back, they’re more in the business now of selling seats than winning championship (detroit lions are a perfect example).
At the same time, Brett must be aware of the tremendous pressure that he would have to bear personally for the entire team’s success in 2008…
I certainly would enjoy having Brett back on the team (win or lose), but I doubt it will turn out that way. Asking to be released must be a negotiating strategy, I can’t imagine Brett wanting to play for anyone else, or am I missing the “its just a business” side of his personality?
July 12th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
This is stupid that there is even a debate about accepting Favre’s return. In his four years as backup, Rodgers has completed less than 40 passes, and had as many season ending injuries as touchdowns (1).
Can anyone seriously look me in the eyes and say that the Packers are better off turning the reigns over to a couple of rookies and this “future of the team” who is in the last year of his contract over a reneging Favre????
Ted Thompson was rebuilding this team as soon as he arrived, by dumping Whale and Rivera and drafting Rodgers in the first round, committing to the “future of the franchise” before Favre even thought about hanging up his cleats. If Rodgers does not start this year, Thompson effectively WASTED a first round pick that could have given the pack the a better chance to win the super bowl.
Ted Thompson is the only thing standing between Favre and his beloved Pack. Bring back Favre and/or fire Ted Thompson.
July 12th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
wishful thinker- The Pack doesn’t have to worry about selling tickets, Lambeau Field has been sold out on a season ticket basis since 1960 and they’ve been accumulating names on our their season ticket waiting list ever since.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:23 am
Ted Thompson needs to leave. He is not helping the Packer organization do what they are there for - TO WIN A SUPER BOWL!!!! I don’t know - fire him, commit him to a mental institution, whatever - JUST GET RID OF HIM!!!
July 24th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Where will Favre keep his Buccaneers? In his buckin’ helmet!
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