If New York Jets coach Rex Ryan and his fellow brass follow three Big Apple football writers' advice, Brett Favre won't be a New York Jet in 2009.
If the Jets follow the path of simply cutting him, as Favre wanted the Packers to do in the summer of 2008, that could open the door to him getting his original wish:
Facing the Packers twice a year as the quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, something for which their is no poison pill like what the Packers put on the Jets in their trade last year.
The Jets' willingness to remove Favre comes from how his season in New York ended: a five-game stretch where he threw nine interceptions against just two touchdown passes.
The Jets went 1-4 in that stretch and missed the playoffs after leading the AFC Eastern Division and defeating the Tennessee Titans, the AFC's No. 1 playoff seed.
New York Post writer Steve Serby said that the Jets ought to let Favre go before the entire "Tractor Watch: New York" saga goes any farther.
"Ryan should pick up the telephone in his new office and put in a call to the Favre farm informing the quarterback politely but firmly that the organization has decided to go in a different direction, whether Favre eventually decides to return or not," said Serby.
"The last thing Ryan needs is to be held hostage by one of Favre's 'To Play or Not To Play' dramas."
In Gary Myers' New York Daily News article, his number two suggestion was to give Favre a "fond farewell."
"The Jets did the right thing to trade for Favre," said Myers. "It was more than worth the gamble. It just didn't work.
"But now it's not fair to handcuff a new coach with a quarterback who will be 40 next season. For much of the season, the Jets were getting Joe Montana, but ended with Namath on the Rams."
Bob Glauber of Newsday and ESPN concurs.
"Favre has been a pleasure to watch for the majority of his mostly brilliant career," said Glauber.
"Believe me, there is no joy in writing that it is time to retire. But the time comes for all the great ones, and Favre's time has come. It is over."
Favre Might Not Agree with His Time Being "Over"; Vikings Could Entice Him
It's seemingly proven that every time someone doubts Brett Favre, he makes it a point to counter the doubters with an action that says "oh, really?"
I guarantee you that the thought of playing Green Bay twice each year could be a determining factor in Favre playing an 18th NFL season.
The thought of anyone besides Tavaris Jackson quarterbacking the Vikings could be a determining factor in Brad Childress and Favre's old assistant coach, Darrell Bevell, calling Brett and begging him, despite his late-season slump, to return.
This time, there would be no tampering instance for the Packers to complain about, because he would have every right to go to whatever team he chooses, if he decides to come back.
Then, he could return to Lambeau wearing a resplendently ugly shade of purple and make his attempt to haunt Packers general manager Ted Thompson's dreams, and beat Green Bay on the football field for the first time in his career.
Not like that would automatically happen, considering his late-season failure, and the fact that the Packers' defenders have more experience playing against Favre than anyone else in the NFL.
Considering Favre's late-season failures, it could be somewhat doubtful that the Jets could get any trade value for Kiln, Mississippi's favorite son.
Perhaps to avoid the soap opera scenario of Brett's return to Lambeau in purple, or any other NFC North shade (probably Chicago), Ted Thompson ought to become Favre's unofficial agent and call up the rest of the NFL's general managers to espouse Brett's wonderful qualities, to convince them that they need to trade for Brett the Jet.
Then, the poison pill the Packers put on the trade from last year would still be in effect.
If not, the pill goes down the toilet, and the Packers may have to face the real possibility number four across from them twice next year.
But if he continues to plummet in performance and goes interception crazy against Green Bay, is that such a bad thing?