Say No to Favre: Why Teams Need to Let Him Walk Away

Football fans are torn as news circulates regarding potential landing spots for Brett Favre. Some fans would prefer to see the man retire while he still has his dignity, believing his current struggle with the concept of retirement will only tarnish his legacy.

Others have a much more optimistic perspective as to what two years of Brett Favre could mean for their favored organizations.

In between the ends of the spectrum for this argument are the fans that would prefer to see their team develop their own future Hall of Fame quarterback without any sign of Favre on the roster.

Legacies are important to fans and organizations. In what appears to be a sweepstakes for Favre, teams are expressing interest at a chance to be a footnote in his career. But is playoff contention worth the price?

The concept of Favre turning a team into an immediate contender provides a potentially heartbreaking dilemma for football fans that would prefer to see their potential quarterback of the future develop without a hindrance.

It's unfair to tell a man when to retire. But the time comes when fans are prepared to move on, and want to continue their lives without the face of the organization.

If Michael Strahan and Jerome Bettis had retired when they first struggled with looming retirement, they would have missed the Super Bowl rings they longed for throughout their careers.

Yankees' fans still feel sympathy for Don Mattingly when he retired the season before the Yankees began their most recent championship run.

On the other end of that argument, there are the men who sign with any winning team despite limited, to no contributions for a chance at a ring. Vinny Testaverde, whose career was rejuvenated as a member of the New York Jets, found himself on the New England Patriots' bench in hopes of championship glory.

However, the glory of playing on a championship team is one Favre has already experienced. That's not what's keeping him around.

Packers' CEO and President, Mark Murphy, referenced Joe Montana's final playing years with the Kansas City Chiefs when discussing the possibility of Favre wearing another jersey next season.

"We want to have positive feelings about Brett and the Packers, and we want him to continue to be a part of the Packer family," remarked Murphy. "But I'm also cognizant of some of the things that have happened in the past with Joe Montana ending his career with the Chiefs. Now you look back on it, most people might not remember that he played with the Chiefs. They remember he was a 49er."

To build on that concept, there's Ronnie Lott's brief stint with the New York Jets. And Michael Jordan's forgettable seasons with the Washington Wizards.

Brett Favre will always be heralded as one of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game. But he will be remembered as one of the greatest quarterbacks in Green Bay Packers' history first.

Letting Favre walk away is of the essence for any team hoping to build their own identity. Any team with quality youth to build upon for the next decade needs to let go of the Brett Favre notion.

At press time, NFL.com is reporting that Brett Favre intends to submit his letter of reinstatement, and report to Packers' training camp this weekend. All fans can hope for is that this decision results in Favre remaining in Green Bay, with the city and fans that have helped to define his career and legacy.

Otherwise, he'll only be disappointing the fans that have embraced him throughout his career, and the fans of any team he ends up with looking to replace him in two years.

Angel Navedo is the Head Writer at NYJetsFan.com, boasting Jet Fuel Radio, frequently updated news and opinions, and a premier fan community.