Why Aaron Rodgers Will Have the Last Laugh With Brett Favre

As some of the dust has settled from the Brett Favre bonanza, it's now time to look ahead to see what the 2010 season has in store.

Brett could have walked away with his legacy restored last year, but he's decided to give it one more kick at the can.  

The biggest question I have is how will it affect the Rodgers vs Favre debate?   Favre would have had the last laugh if he stayed in Mississippi, but his decision to return will see a reversal of fortunes in this saga.

I outline five reasons why Aaron Rodgers will be the one with the last laugh.

1. Rodgers Has More Talent Than Favre

Despite the fact that Favre had one of his best statistical seasons in 2009, no one is undermining how good Rodgers is.   Check any fantasy football ADP (average draft position) and you will find Aaron's name higher than Favre and with good reason.

Favre may have more experience, but in every other meaningful category, Rodgers has the edge.   If anyone believes that Favre at another year older and a wonky ankle will outperform Rodgers this year, you have a rude awakening ahead of you.

2. Rodgers Has Handled the Soap Opera with Class

Do a google search for Aaron Rodgers comments about Brett Favre.   You will not find any disparaging statements in his five seasons in the NFL.

Simply put, Rodgers has class and is highly respected for how he's handled Favre's ridiculous sideshows. 

Favre never warmed to Rodgers when he was drafted by the Packers and looked at him as someone 'wanted to take his job'.  

To add insult to injury, the last year he decided to come back to the Packers once again stomping on Rodgers's dream. Thankfully Green Bay finally said no and gave the kid his chance.

Rodgers has a lot of reasons to be upset about how things played out, but he's always taken the high road. 

3. The Media Built Favre Up and They Will Tear Him Down

In today's 24/7 ESPNization of sports news, the Brett Favre story has received an appalling amount of coverage.   Many in the media complain about the circus that it is, but everyone involved can share the blame.

At this point in time Favre's status is almost untouchable given how great he played last season.   During the first few weeks of the season you will hear network announcers and colormen all over the country drowning in the Brett Favre ocean of love.  

However,simple mathematic rules like the "regression to the mean" tell us that Favre will not have as much success this year.   He will completion percentage and touchdown numbers will go down and his interceptions will go up.   He might even miss some games due to injury for the first time in his career.   All of this will translate to less wins for the Minnesota Vikings.

When this happens the media will spin his story from an heroic legend to a washed up has-been. 

4. The Fans Will Have Their Say

Does anyone outside of Minnesota love Brett Favre?   Ok women who love a man with some silver in his hair do not count.

Once Favre fails to deliver another brilliant season for the Vikings, their fans will begin to wonder who is to blame.  Logic tells us the decision makers like Brad Childress will probably take the fall, but public sentiment regarding Favre will take a huge hit.

Fans in Green Bay have a love and respect for him deep down, but those feelings won't resurface for quite some time.  

Around the league, most people are sick and tired of his waffling self-obsessed antics.  Thousands of fans collectively puked in their mouths yesterday when Favre officially announced his return.

I don't know many people outside the state of Minnesota who will be openly cheering for him in 2010.   Meanwhile, the number of fans supporting Aaron Rodgers continues to grow. 

5. Favre Is His Own Worst Enemy

Everyone knows that no one can love Favre more than he loves himself.   In most cases this would be fine as an ego is an important part of achieving excellence--especially in the super competitive environment of the NFL.

But Favre has always gone one step too far and this year it will finally catch up to him.  

The latest episode in this never-ending marathon of absurdity saw three of the Vikings star players fly to Favre's home to persuade him to return.  Was this really necessary?   To make it even worse, Favre admitted yesterday that he's coming back because he "owes it to the organization". 

This is the wrong reason to continue a career.   Whether you believe him or not, it seems he constantly needs people to beg him to keep playing.  

Unfortunately for Favre, this is unlikely to have the storybook ending he's hoping for and the only thing people will remember is that he played one year too many.

Conclusion

For these reasons I believe Aaron Rodgers will finally have the last laugh.  

This is not to say that Brett Favre does not deserve all the accolades he receives--because he does.   He has had a great career worthy of a first ballot Hall of Fame induction. 

The purpose of this article was to revisit the Rodgers vs Favre debate that has one more chapter to be written.  Last year Favre put an exclamation point on the drama and could have rode off into the sunset, but his decision to return for one more year keeps the story alive.

The debate may have lost some sizzle and the comparison might not get as much attention this season, but if you ask Aaron Rodgers--I'm sure he'll tell you that's suits him just fine.

All he will need is a quiet moment to himself so he can think about how he survived the biggest challenge to his career--Brett Favre.