This has been handled poorly by both Favre and the Packer Organization.

Favre should have not made a decision to retire until after spending some time in training camp. Only then would he know whether he should retire or not. The Packer Organization should have been a little more flexible.

One thing the Packers don't seem to acknowledge. Last season was great mostly because of Favre and a weak schedule. Rodgers is not a proven commodity,is injury prone and seems a little arrogant. This arrogance is not warranted at this time.

If the Packers due poorly this year all the blame should be leveled on McCarthy and Thompson because they were the major actors representing the Packers throughout this whole, rediculous circus.

Jonesy99: If your boss shook your hand today or even acknowledged you to your peers when announcing your retirement, then you already got more than Favre did in March when he held his retirement press conference.

I told my boss today that I have had enough. The work is getting to be more than I can take and that its over. He asked me if I was sure, and that he would call me from time to time to make sure that I did not want to come back. I told him that would be fine, but I would not be comming back, as long as they remember how awesome I am. Well he told me I am awesome and everyone knows it, but that he might have to get someone to take over my old job. I was shocked to hear that from him and stated "shouldn't you just wait on me...I might change my mind, or why not just let the company close down because I am gone?" Well he replied back and said "get the **** outta my office, even tho your awesome and uber cool, this company does not wait on anyone" WOW what a reality check that was... so I was fired. HHHmm wish I was Favre.

I wonder if some of you understand the structure of the NFL. The Commissioner of the NFL is in no way, shape or form the boss of Ted Thompson. Ted Thompson answers to Mark Murphy who is the head man in the PACKER organization. The Commissioner of the NFL is actually an employee of the owners. He's trying to assist in the matter because the mess also reflects on the NFL. Ted could totally disregard the Commissioner's suggestion and there wouldn't be a darned thing he could do about it. He is cooperating with it because that is his choice and, I'm certain, he would like to see this matter put to bed. But if nobody is willing to offer something Ted Thompson thinks is equitable and benefits the team he isn't going to trade Brett because the Commissioner thinks it's the thing to do. If Brett decides to return he is under contract with the PACKERS and they will decide what to do with him not the Commissioner.

This whole thing is breaking my heart. I was hoping Ron Wolfe (or is it Wolf?) would have gotten the two sides together last Saturday night after the banquet and all would be repaired by now.

Ted Thompson and Mike Holmgren should go to California and get married. they have both screwed Brett royaly and should get along famously

Well hey if Brett did take up baseball he wouldn't have to play in sub-zero tempature games, and I dont think you can throw interceptions in baseball..hahaha

jvldss: Yep, my boss is the same way. Good point, especially if you see the Commissioner as TT's boss, which I guess he is. I didn't look at it that way.

Ok. Forced may be too strong of a word but when my boss "encourages me to accelerate the process" on a project I usually interpret that to mean get it done now. It sure doesn't go on the back burner.

hey shane u were out of line brett doesnt drink or do drugs anymore where has your head been oops let me guess......And in my opinion he deserves to play and finish out his contract so teddy my boy do the right thing and HONOR HIS CONTRACT................

Thanks Brett, but stay retired. Go buy yourself a 12 pack of PBR, get drunk, and talk about "the good old days" like the rest of us!

jvldss - The article above says "Goodell encouraged the GM to accelerate the process". The word "encouraged" is used twice in the article.
I did not see "Goodell stepping in and forcing the Packers" anywhere in the article, nor in other articles published by other sources.
A lot of your points are valid, but twisting the truth hurts your credibility.

I can't understand why the Packers are making such a fuss over this. They have the best of both worlds. Why not let Favre report to camp and do battle to get the starting spot and if he does, more power to him. If he doesn't then they have the best reserve QB in the history of football. If he stays on the team and they win, most of this will be forgotten. If he loses, then Aaron Rodgers gets his shot. It's kind of like getting back together with a girlfriend after a three month breakup. If things go well it's all good, but you will learn from the split as what to do if it were to happen again. I would rather see Favre retire from the Packers a year too late rather than a year too early. Everyone seems to be ready to stand pat with Aaron Rodgers, but why? Someone explain to me what makes him a better QB, aside from this media based, ego fueled controversy? Let's see, we can go with a guy with 160 wins in his 16 year career, or a 4th year rookie. Hmm, seems like a no-brainer, but then again for some reason it's not.

My first thought was that Favre was an indecisive egomanic who failed at retirement because he so desparately needs the limelight and constant attention. I didn’t always view him in this light but the past couple of years has convinced me of this..
Then my second thought was that the Packers (Thompson) are so focused on the future that they are willing to cut off their nose to spite their face. How can you treat a legend and the face of your franchise in this manner? Does he not represent the best opportunity to win next season?
Unfortunately both thoughts are right.
Now, with Goodell stepping in and forcing the Packers to do something within the next couple of days, we have to “fire sale” the legendary face of our franchise. The other teams know the Packers are forced to make this move now and will offer next to nothing for him. His only true value is to the Packers but Thompson’s giant ego will make it impossible for him to retract earlier statements and bring Brett back to the Packers. Releasing him is plain stupid from a business point of view and it sure sounds like Favre won’t stay retired.
Now, rather than having Favre write another chapter in his legendary career with the Packers, we’ll get a 5th round draft pick or worse and be forced to watch him run out of the tunnel in a number 4 Tampa Bay jersey. As Vince so eloquently put it, “What the hell is going on out there?” Thanks Brett. Thanks Ted.

Rogers is no Favre and never will be in skill or class. Roger's broke a toe nail and was out the rest of the season. He has a attitude and a cry baby all wrapped up in one person. He is his own worst enemy. Ted Thompson should be fired. Enough of the pissing contest. Favre should just show up for camp, say ' o.k. I will play back up.' KNOWING darn well there is no way he will ever play back up to aaron rogers.

I agree with the previous post our defesive end that did so well last year needs some help and fast.

Somebody said in a post a while back that "Brett is like the ex-girlfriend that will not go away". He's not coming back to be the love of your life. Give up folks, he doesn't love you anymore!
He just loves himself.

The Favre mess has overshadowed another major area of concern - the defensive line. With Williams traded to Cleveland, Jolly likely doing time in Texas and Harrell (more fragile than Rodgers) looking like a big-time Thompson draft day bust, our d-line is considerably weaker than a year ago. If we can't get the other team's offense off the field, it won't matter who the QB is.

FIRE TED THOMPSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Give me a break. There is no way the Packers will make the playoffs with Rodgers as their quarterback cuz he won't be their quarterback for very long. We are just one broken fingernail away from having a rookie quarterback. Granted Favre made a mistake, but he is still our best hope to be in the SuperBowl.

Football is all about the playoffs. The Packers will make the playoffs with Rodgers as their QB. The Cowboys will have a better record than the Packers even if Brett starts at QB. So, Favre instead of Rodgers in Dallas??? Or Favre instead of Rodgers in GB with a wind chill near 5??? Favre is not a cold weather QB because 25 degrees is not cold. And Favre will find another way to choke to end their season early.

hey brewerstock - but how many times would Favre shake off the catcher's sign trying to make up his mind, fastball, changeup, fastball, changeup.....

Thompson and Favre are like two stubborn three year olds going nose to nose, one screaming yes and the other screaming no until they are red in the face. Both share equal blame in this mess as both were blinded by their obstinance, arrogance and egos. No matter how this plays out now, only the fans will lose.

I still think he should apply to the Brewers!

Jaiko: Nice try, but my angry still lies with Thompson.

This will probably get me shot, but here it goes.
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Brett retired in March. He went thru press conferences, media whirlwind, the whole deal. There were special issue magazines, TV specials, etc etc etc all honoring him.
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The Packers repeatedly offered to let him choose to come back, but Brett kept saying no. He was retired. So finally the Packers committed to Aaron Rogers and promised him the starting position. Imagine how Aaron felt? Finally, he is the starter after sitting on the bench for so long.
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Then suddenly, after repeated offers to return that he only kept saying no to, Brett decides that he does, in fact, want to return. This puts the Packers in a tough position and it makes Brett look like he's up to something.
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Yes, the Packers could let Brett back, but to place him as the starter would mean they'd have to renege on their commitment to Aaron Rogers, and how fair is that? Brett was given all the chances in the world to come back, but he kept saying no. Why should he be given special treatment now?
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Now, say that Brett were to go to another team and be their starting QB for the 2008 season, who is going to catch all the resentment that is going to be brewing in Wisconsin (come on, you KNOW this whole state is going to be boiling in anger if we see him playing in a uniform that doesn't have a lovely green and gold G on it)? Should it be Ted Thompson, the man who offered Brett to come back numerous times? Or should it be Brett, himself, who couldn't make up his mind in the timeframe he was offered?
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Any one of us in a similar situation in our own lives would have to deal with the consequences of our choices. We wouldn't be given special treatment for it, so why shouldn't Brett be treated the same way?
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Don't get me wrong, I love Brett as much as any other fan in this state. I was five-years-old back when Brett got started at the Green Bay Packers, and I grew up watching him play every week with my family. I was heart-broken, just as many others were, when he announced his retirement. I would have loved to see him return, but only if he did it in a way that was fair. Trying to bully his way back in now has only tarnished his legacy, and hopefully it will pass. But should I and everyone else see him on another team, I can't even begin to imagine how angry a lot of you will all be. Now, I guess we'll see where that anger lies.

In my perfect world, the thousands of Packer shareholders at tomorrow's meeting would boo Thompson right out of the place. What a jerk! Bring back Brett!

Whydoyouask: And your point is?

ESPN was reporting this morning that apparently Tampa Bay was interested in Favre. However, they already have Simms, Garcia, Griese and 2 other QBs so I'm not sure that will work. But Gruden has always been reported to like Favre. That just wouldn't look right.

Even Ron Wolf criticized Ted Thompson saying- sometimes your g.m. does not do what you want them to or what they should do.

Ted Thompson is a idiot and will be paying for his lack of common sense for the rest of the season.

When someone retires from the company I work for, their company cell phone doesn't leave with them. Hope they bill Brett for the calls.

Brett doesn't want to play for the Packers. His retiring in March, waffling later in March, ask to be released in June, is all an orchestrated plan on his an Bus Cooke's part to play somewhere else. He is like the kid who got married at 16 and when he hits 35 wishes to sew some wild oats.
How about the reports he repeatedly called Viking coaches Childress and Bevell on a GB PACKER ISSUED CELL PHONE. How did they know there was interference? They looked at there phone bill. Not too smart Brett.

Hey westside - did you know where Dan Devine lived? Do you like dogs?

Rumor has it that someone in the Packers organization submitted an anonymous formal request to rename the team The "Green Bay Thompsons". The executive committee will vote on it at the next meeting.

I wish i knew where Ted lived...

Thank goodness the Brewers are still worth watching.

This has been such a bad thing for the Packers organization.

Ted is too full of himself. I think Favre has earned the right to be the starting quarterback for Green Bay regardless of his indecision in the offseason. How many games has it been since someone besides number 4 started for Green Bay at Quarterback?

I understand Thompson's point to a degree, as Favre retired in March and has been waffling ever since...but, if he wants to come back and play for the Packers, he gives them a better chance to win than Rodgers. I like Rodgers, but I don't think he can hold a candle to Brett. Thompson's 1st round picks have all been suspect, other than AJ Hawk, and now it looks like we'll see if his boy was worth it. Look at Justin Harrell (he's hurt again), and Rodgers obviously scared some teams off. Seeing Brett Favre wearing #4 for someone else, like Buffalo or Carolina, just wouldn't be right. The best thing that can come of all this is for Favre to decide to stay retired.

I think that the BREWERS should recruit Favre to be their closer. Favre pitched in HS & if he can throw a big, heavier ball accurately & hard, he should be able to throw a small round ball... Just a thought folks.

Let's face it, Packers fans, Brett Favre is a warrior on the field, and a whiny prima donna off the field. I haven't seen a flip-flop act like that since the Rock River receded, leaving hundreds of carp foundering for life on Main Street.

Maybe Goodell can talk some sense into Teddy Two Face. Thompson has put his need to feed his ego BEFORE Favre (understandable to a degree because he is the GM), BEFORE what is best for the Packers organization (not acceptable - Rodgers is his boy but his responsibility is to play whoever gives the Pack the best chance to win, not to prove yourself some draft genius - why did 20 some teams pass on Rodgers in the draft), and, now, it will be interesting to see if he blows off the commissioners request and puts his ego BEFORE the league. Not smart, Teddy.

I hate the thought of Favre throwing passes for Gruden's Bucs, or any other team for that matter. Brohm and/or Flynn better be the real deal!

This is very disappointing and both saddens and angers me. Brett Favre belongs in Green Bay if he becomes an active player again. I think Ted Thompson is making a very big mistake. Please bring Brett back.