coldarmy20

QB is due roster bonus of $3 million

Chris Jenkins / Associated Press


The Green Bay Packers aren't pressuring Brett Favre to make a retirement decision by Saturday's due date for a $3 million roster bonus. And even if they were, the quarterback doesn't think he owes the team a decision this weekend anyway.

In his most recent comments about his murky football future, Favre made one thing clear: If he does return, he told a newspaper in his native Mississippi there is "no doubt" it will be his last season.

Favre's retirement saga has turned into pro football's version of Groundhog Day, as fans and the media try to predict the future based upon brief public glimpses of the iconic QB during the winter.

Saturday's bonus due date recently has been interpreted as a deadline from the team's management for Favre to make a decision. But Favre doesn't seem inclined to meet it, and the Packers aren't going to hold him to it.

"If I don't tell them by Saturday, what will they do, cut me?" Favre told the Sun Herald in Gulfport, Miss.

Packers general manager Ted Thompson already has moved the roster bonus deadline back to accommodate his star quarterback, and he seems willing to do so again.

"No, it never has been (a deadline)," Thompson told The Associated Press on Friday. "It's just another date in the spring."

Thompson, who has remained in contact with Favre during the offseason, said he hasn't heard anything that would indicate a decision is imminent.

"We've talked to Brett and (wife) Deanna, and I've said all along that they'll decide when they decide," Thompson said.

Favre said he wants to play again but will return only if the Packers can assemble a winning team.

"Last season, expectations were high and it was a bad situation," Favre said of the team's 4-12 season, his only losing one in Green Bay. "If we can't compete at a high level, I can walk away and my legacy will speak for itself."

Thompson said Favre's unclear future isn't having a negative effect on the team's preparations for next season. But the sooner Favre decides, the better.

"It's OK now," Thompson said. "I think everybody would like to know. I think Brett would like to know."

The Packers did not pursue experienced quarterbacks such as Aaron Brooks and Brian Griese in free agency, but Thompson said that was not an indication that the Packers are assuming Favre will return.

Aaron Rodgers, the team's first-round draft pick last season, is presumed to be in line to take over the starting role if Favre retires. But Thompson said the team would look to add a more experienced quarterback, possibly through a trade, if Favre does retire.

"Obviously, with Brett not in the equation, we might have to add another type of player," Thompson said.

But Thompson hopes it doesn't come to that.

Favre, who was in Gulfport, Miss., to award grants to help youth football groups rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, said he has been talking to the team for the past month and there are things that both parties have to sort out.

"If they don't come together, I guess I won't play," Favre said. "I don't know if my decision will be made by Saturday."

Favre said some days he wants to play and other days he wants to retire. Knowing he can still compete at a high level is making the decision tough, he said.

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coldarmy20

While I am a fan of Favre accomplishments in GB.. even if it happens to be beating the lions, I dont think its right to keep his team waiting on his decision. Not really a move Id expect for, who i see as, a team player.

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M-247gunner

even the draft and the rest of FA aint gonna make the packers a "contender".GB's front office needs to get a set and tell him to make up his mind.

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coldarmy20

I agree.. they've really bent over backwards for him.

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pumzy

I lost a little respect for favre the other day when I heard him say on tv that he pretty much doesn't care what the team tells him to do. when asked about the team's pressures on him to make a decision, his exact words were "what're they gonna do, cut me?"

M-247gunner

that would be as hell if they did.

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stormdriver

They can't cut him, the Packer Nation would revolt. I have lost mad respect for the man lately though.. Especially with the comment about not owing the team an answer. Hell with that. He owes the team everything he has with the possible exception of his kids. He was a 6th round pick and 3rd string QB for a lousy team before the Pack traded for him and took a chance. If it weren't for that he'd have had no career at all. I never thought to say this about the best QB of all time, but who does he think he is??

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Idaho Vandals Fan
Green Bay Packers Fan

pumzy

I really expected more class out of favre in dealing with this whole thing. sure, its got to be hard to deal with the idea of never playing again, but by waiting so long to give the team an answer, he has put himself in the same class as all the other guys around the league that get criticized for being detrimental to their teams. javon walker's little quip with the team about wanting to be traded was damaging enough to the packers, and now favre is doing the same thing by using his retirement as the carrot on the stick as he rides the team towards the direction he feels they should take. I'm fine with a veteran player wanting to help his team improve, but management needs to step up and say "hey, this is still our team to run, buddy"

juggalo6772

Although Farve was a second round pick, i completely agree with what you said. When the packers traded for farve it looked like he had a carrer ending injury,His carrer was looking to be over before it begain. Brett farve is the face of the green bay packers, I lost respect for him when he whouldnt help arron rodgers and when he hurt javon walkers chance to get a new contract, But this is over the line, What the hell happened to him i thought he was supposed to be a team player.

Davey

How could you not expect Favre to question the Packers organization lately!?! They fired Sherman who took them to the playoffs 5 out of 6 times and hired some 2nd rate coach out of San Fran, one of the worst teams in the NFL. And now they lost Tony Fisher, Nail Diggs, and several other players that made a big impact on previous success. Brett just doesnt want another season like last season. And things dont look great. And I think the pack does owe Brett something. Sure they gave him the chance, and he took it and became one of the greatest Qbs of our day. And whos to say that if GB hadnt taken the chance on brett that some other franchise wouldnt.