Should Brett Favre Retire or Return to New York in 2009?

It seems that for the last four or years there’s been great discussion about one of the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks and whether or not he should retire. Brett Favre, who plays for the New York Jets but spent 16 years as a Green Bay Packer, has had to think about this quandary himself following the end of recent seasons.

Following the 2006 season, his second consecutive with a non-positive touchdown/interception ratio, Favre mulled the decision for quite some time but ultimately decided to return in 2007.

It turns out that was a good decision as he threw for 4,155 yards with 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. And after that was done he was left to contemplate his future again, only to be traded to the Jets.

It was in New York where Favre led the Jets to an 8-3 record to start the season, including five straight wins from weeks 8-12. All was well, or so it appeared, for Favre and the Jets until the final five games of the season.

In those games, Favre threw nine interceptions and just two touchdowns as the Jets went from AFC East leaders to missing the playoffs altogether.

So while Favre spends the next few weeks deciding if he’ll return for a 19th season in the league, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of playing one more year.

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PRO: He’ll get to suit up for a team that was one week, and a few lucky breaks, away from winning an AFC East Division title. Surrounded by good talent on both sides of the ball, the Jets have a solid foundation in place to make a run at the playoffs next year.

CON: He’ll get to suit up for a team that was one week, and a few lucky breaks, away from winning an AFC East Division title. Yes, there is a lot of talent around him but there are some holes.

There isn’t a clear-cut No. 1 receiver that Favre typically likes to have. Injuries hurt the offensive line at the end of the season. Also, the team spent a lot of money in free agency and won’t be able to do so this year meaning that holes on the team will be filled with untested rookies or scrap-heap free agents.

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PRO: Favre loves a challenge and there’s no greater challenge than leading the Jets past the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins for a division title and a playoff spot. Favre loves to be the guy to prove you wrong.

He loves to be the guy that says “I told you so,” even though those words will never leave his mouth. He is determined to prove that he can still play at an elite level because he is such a competitor.

CON: As much as he loves a challenge, perhaps this one is too great for even Favre to overcome. The AFC East looks to be one of, if not the toughest, divisions next year. Those teams now know how to attack Favre and the Jets offense and if his shoulder troubles creep up again, then it could turn ugly quickly.

Being a riverboat gambler at quarterback is OK when you can throw bullets over and over again, not when you’re trying to hide an injury.

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Should Brett Favre Retire or Return To New York in 2009?