Favre has formally asked for his release. This comes days after Favre “emphatically” let GM Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy know that he wants to play this year. Favre is returning. The Packers must now make an excruciating decision: Ask Favre back, when both sides prefer a divorce, or potentially play against Favre this season.
If Favre gains his freedom, here’s how Rotoworld.com's Gregg Rosenthal ranks his possible landing spots.
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spt_NFL_5teamsforFavre[i-1].body = "1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs are the best fit and most likely destination, and it’s not even close. Jon Gruden loves aging veterans, has worked with Favre before, and has been looking for “The Guy” in Tampa since he arrived. If Chucky is willing to roll with mediocre short-term bets like Jeff Garcia and Brian Griese, he’ll welcome Favre with open arms. Garcia’s status with the organization was already on thin ice.
The Bucs run a West Coast offense that Favre could easily transition to. The receiving group isn’t great, but this is a playoff-ready team.
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spt_NFL_5teamsforFavre[i-1].body = "2. Minnesota Vikings
September 8 was supposed to be the night the Packers retired Favre’s jersey. How delicious would it be if Favre opened the season playing against his old organization?
The Packers brass knows that Minnesota would be among Favre’s likely suitors, and that’s why they are unlikely to agree with Favre’s “no strings attached” release request. They will try to retain their leverage, force him to officially un-retire, and then possibly help control his departure.
If Favre wiggles free, the Vikings make a lot of sense. Like the Bucs, Favre has a connection to a member of the Vikings coaching staff. Favre worked with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell for six seasons and head coach Brad Childress is from the same coaching tree as Mike Holmgren and Andy Reid, Favre’s old cronies.
With fantastic talent on both the offensive and defensive line, Minnesota is only a quarterback away from being a championship contender. Tarvaris Jackson isn’t that quarterback.
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spt_NFL_5teamsforFavre[i-1].body = "3. Washington Redskins
New head coach Jim Zorn runs a West Coast offense and owner Dan Snyder is not afraid to make a splash. ";
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spt_NFL_5teamsforFavre[i-1].body = "4. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens get bonus points for being in the AFC. Both Favre and the Packers would surely love to avoid playing in the same conference. While Baltimore has struggled on offense all decade, there are some decent receivers in place and a fine offensive coordinator in Cam Cameron. Joe Flacco is the future, but the Ravens essentially have a year to kill before he’s ready. Do they kill it with Troy Smith, Kyle Boller, or Favre? Throw in a veteran locker room and there could be mutual interest. ";
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spt_NFL_5teamsforFavre[i-1].body = "5. Houston Texans
They have a budding passing attack (sixth in passing yards-per-attempt) and a quarterback loving coach in Gary Kubiak who uses the West Coast offense. Interest from the Texans wouldn’t be a shocker, but they are probably content with starter Matt Schaub. Another downside here is a Week 14 game at Lambeau Field. ";
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spt_NFL_5teamsforFavre[i-1].body = "6. New York Jets
It looks like a decent match on paper. Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens aren’t true “franchise quarterbacks” and the big money New York spent this offseason indicates they are frantically trying to win now. In reality, I don’t think Eric Mangini would want to think short term. And Favre may see a team that only went 4-12 last season, playing in New England’s division. ";
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spt_NFL_5teamsforFavre[i-1].body = "7. Chicago Bears
Could they use a quarterback? Sure. Would Favre be attracted to a team that runs a different system and has questionable offensive talent? I doubt it. ";
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spt_NFL_5teamsforFavre[i-1].body = "8. Carolina Panthers
Profootballtalk.com reported that Favre had interest in the Panthers, but it’s unlikely that the interest is mutual. They have a veteran in Jake Delhomme and a promising youngster in Matt Moore. It may sound crazy, but Favre doesn’t represent enough of a clear upgrade to be worth the short-term fix. ";
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// END editorial data