Let’s be clear about one thing. Brett Favre isn’t staging another comeback. According to a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, he does think he “could play” still, though. Favre admitted the grind of an NFL season and the pressure of leading a team probably isn’t something he’d be up for at the ripe old age of 45. Favre also admitted he has lost roughly 30 yards off of his deep ball (which used to go for a solid 80 yards), but he can still make “all of the throws” that would be asked of him at the game’s highest level.
Favre is set to have his #4 jersey retired by the Green Bay Packers this year and is a lock to be selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame next summer. Another un-retirement isn’t in the works, but what if it was? If Favre believes he can play and the need is out there, is it plausible that any team would actually consider giving the 45-year old legend a shot? Crazier things have happened.
Let’s take a look at a few teams that are in a rough enough spot to actually lend it some thought if Favre actually wanted to give pro football one more go:
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo might be leaning toward Tyrod Taylor as their starting quarterback for 2015, which is enough to tell you they’re hurting at the position. Rex Ryan traded for Tim Tebow in the past so giving Favre a call is actually probably less crazy than that. The Bills have a good amount of offensive talent and are stacked on defense, so it’d be a very hard situation for Favre to turn down.
New York Jets
A return to the Jets isn’t likely, but Favre knows the team and Gang Green has the defense and finally the offense to actually compete. Quarterback has been their lone weak point, but they do seem to be firmly backing Geno Smith for 2015. If that changes, though, perhaps the Favre rumors heat up.
Cleveland Browns
Favre has to be better than Josh McCown, right? It’s at least arguable, while a solid Browns defense gears up for 2015 with a weak offense backing them. Head coach Mike Pettine seems sold on McCown and the team continuing to develop Johnny Manziel, but what if Favre could lift this team to the top of the division? It’s not likely, but if the team liked McCown, they could be swayed on Favre, too.
Houston Texans
Houston seems like the most logical fit and they were loosely tied to Favre just a few years ago when they were in playoff position and lost their top two quarterbacks. Houston didn’t go after him hard then, though, so it’s tough to buy them suddenly doing so now. That being said, they don’t have much to get excited about under center and otherwise appear ready for a Super Bowl run. If Favre can still sling it, he could have one more run left in him.
Chicago Bears
Favre may not want to upset Packers fans any further, but how sweet would another return to the NFC North be? Jay Cutler has begun to wear out his welcome in the Windy City and new head coach John Fox has always liked veteran quarterbacks. If Cutler gets hurt or implodes again, the Bears may want to keep Favre’s number in their back pocket.
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona was a really good team last year, and then Carson Palmer shredded his knee. They rapidly regressed from that point on, and even though they made the playoffs, they disappeared quickly thanks to something called a Ryan Lindley. The Cardinals might think reaching for an old Favre would be desperate, but he isn’t all that much less mobile than Palmer and there’s an argument that even at 45 he’d be just as good.
St. Louis Rams
Nick Foles looks like he could be the answer for a Rams team that has struggled for any continuity out of the quarterback position over the last two years, but what if he’s not? If Foles gets hurt or is a total bust, the Rams would be right back to square one and head coach Jeff Fisher could feel the heat. With less than ideal backup plans, St. Louis could take a ride on the wild side and see if the ol’ gunslinger has a few bullets left. After all, it’s not like the Rams haven’t been rumored to be interested in Favre’s services before.
Again, Favre isn’t coming back, but it’s fun to consider his options given all the rumors he’s been involved in over the years. Think one of the above teams are his likeliest landing spots or have another team in mind? Tell us all about it in the comments below!
