The Return of Brett Favre and the 2014 Packers Schedule

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Will Favre return to the Packers in 2014? The schedule seems ripe for it.

The National Football League released its schedule of games for 2014 yesterday and each team’s path to Super Bowl XLIX in Arizona has been placed before them.

For the Green Bay Packers however, there is an additional question to be answered and it is at the front of every cheesehead’s mind:

“Is this the year?”

As in “is this the year the Packers and former quarterback Brett Favre finally publicly bury the hatchet?” Packers president Mark Murphy said the plan was to have Favre at a game this past season, but his role as offensive coordinator of a state champion football team kept the former MVP quarterback from making his way back to Lambeau Field in 2013.

With Favre having already announced he will not be coaching Mississippi high school football in 2014, the door is wide open for his return to the Packers family this season. Now that the schedule for the season has been announced, it’s time to begin another edition of Favre Watch except this time it is guaranteed to have a happy ending for both Favre and Packers fans.

Here are the Packers’ 2014 home games, ranked from least likely to most likely to be the game Favre returns to Lambeau to have his number retired and maybe even more.

8. Lions vs Packers, Week 17
This game will be played on Sunday, December 28. This game could decide a playoff spot or perhaps even the NFC North title. Take the potential enormity of the game and the possibility of brutally cold and/or snowy weather, this isn’t likely to be the one Favre returns home to.

7. Eagles vs Packers, Week 11
This game would likely be higher up on the list if Favre’s former quarterbacks coach Andy Reid were still coaching the Eagles. Combine that with the fact that this is a Gold Package (aka former County Stadium ticket holders) game and this probably won’t be the game either.

6. Vikings vs Packers, Week 5

This would be “oh-so-sweet” for Packers fans to welcome their former hero back during the game against the team he joined that broke so many fans hearts. Unfortunately, this is another Gold Package game, which all but precludes that a Favre return isn’t likely here either.

5. Bears vs Packers, Week 10
It would be another memorable moment in the longest running rivalry in football history. Favre broke the hearts of the Bears and their fans multiple times during his career in Green Bay and reminding them of that might be to good of an opportunity to pass up for the Packers. That said, with so much “Favre symbolism” present on the 2014 schedule, this isn’t most attractive game.

4. Panthers vs Packers, Week 7
One of the greatest triumphs of Favre’s career was the victory over the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship Game at Lambeau Field. The game is also in mid-October so Favre wouldn’t have to worry about sitting out on a stage in bitter cold. It’d be an intriguing option for the Packers, but again there are more attractive options on the schedule.

3. Falcons vs Packers, Week 14

The script is almost too perfect here. Monday Night Football and a national television audience and the team that originally drafted Favre is the Packers’ opponent. It makes too much sense in a way. However, the game is on December 8 and this is another game ripe for cold and snow. If Favre didn’t like the cold weather in the latter part of his career, he wouldn’t like a ceremony in bad conditions either. This has to be something that Favre and the Packers must agree on.

2. Patriots vs Packers, Week 13
This game will already have a considerable amount of hype behind it with the Aaron Rodgers vs. Tom Brady storyline. Throwing a Favre jersey retirement ceremony would just blow the lid off of it. Combine that with the fact that this is a rematch of Super Bowl XXXI, Favre’s lone Super Bowl victory, and this becomes a very tantalizing choice for both the Packers and Favre.

1. Jets vs Packers, Week 2
This is perfect and for all the right reasons. It’s the Packers home opener and the team would retire Favre’s jersey, just as the plan was in 2008 before the whole saga unfolded. It’s also against the team the Packers traded Favre to. It’s in warmer weather in September and this isn’t going to be a high stakes game given it will only be the second week of the season. This would also bring the summer of 2008 full circle and could give closure to so many fans, even those still bitter over how everything went down.

If a Packers/Favre reunion nearly happened in 2013, one would have to think it’s a near-certainty for 2014. Murphy has said he wants Favre’s jersey retirement to happen before the quarterback is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and he is running out of time. With so many games on the 2014 schedule against opponents that Favre previously had success against, the time is now to get this done.

Get it done, Mr. Murphy. Favre deserves to go into Canton with the full force of Packer Nation behind him.

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Kris Burke is a sports writer covering the Green Bay Packers for AllGreenBayPackers.com and WTMJ in Milwaukee. He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) and his work has been linked to by sites such as National Football Post and CBSSports.com.

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33 thoughts on “The Return of Brett Favre and the 2014 Packers Schedule

  1. It’s a TT issue first and foremost. The Rodgers signing, the not allowing Favre to keep “unretiring”, but most of all, Teddy’s reluctance to change his conservative methods regarding key signings that might have resulted in another SB. Randy Moss the last straw. Wouldn’t be surprised if this gala waits until TT retires (sooner the better) Rodgers, no doubt is thinking along the same lines after this off season of indifference in spite of gaping holes,

    1. Deal with it Kool Aid lovers and TT apologists..the answer is blow’n in the wind. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. The man is 100% right!

    2. Thompson could care less if/when Favre gets his retirement. He’ll be there and be professional. Favres the one that harbored the resentment. For Thompson it was a business decision, nothing more or less and he wasn’t going to let a player dictate how he does business.

      It won’t happen but if anything Favre should apologize publicly to the Packer organization, Thompson, McCarthy and Rodgers before he’s retired.

      1. Completely agree with Stroh. No matter what your political position on Favre all parties need to put this in the rear view mirror. Favre’s play on the field during 16 seasons merits the retirement of his jersey the off the field Favre incidents to use Brett’s standard reply “is what it is”. Personally I believe Hornung’s #5 jersey should be “officially” retired at the same time.,

  2. They should have Favre back in week 5. It will be easier for him to hang out with his Viking pals rather than interact with any Packer players, coaches, or fans until he is honored and makes a hasty exit.

  3. I’d bet it’s against the Pats. It WOULD be the Vikes, but that’s right in the middle of HS FB season, and it’s a Thursday night – which is the day before game day for the kiddos.

    Bummer. Against the Vikes would be sweet – and that’s an almost sure win. Against the Pats will be a tough one.

  4. Favre was a GREAT Green Bay quarterback. I am saddened by all of the negative vibes! Get over it and move on.

  5. I wish I could be there. The right game would be the Viking game. At least that way you know there would be some cheers. I look forward to seeing #4 retired with the rest of the Packer greats as Favre gave the Packer faithful an incredible career and all he had.

    1. “Favre gave the Packer faithful….all he had”?? Are you kidding me??

      Was he giving his all when he was mowing the lawn in Mississippi instead of working out with his teammates? Was he giving his all when he was throwing our seasons away in overtime? Was he giving his all when he went on national TV and said our GM was a liar?

      “….an incredible career”. Yeah, that’s what the HOF is for. Getting your number retired is supposed to be for people who’ve made franchise-altering contributions to the organization. 5 titles. Making the organization more attractive to black athletes. Revolutionizing the position. Or giving 30 years of service to the team.

      He was a great QB for about 4 years. Then he had another 10 years where he ranged from above-average to below-average. And he is without a doubt the biggest big game liability in the history of the NFL.

      On the merits, he doesn’t deserve to have his number retired.

    2. “Favre gave the Packer faithful….all he had”?? Are you kidding me??

      Was he giving his all when he was mowing the lawn in Mississippi instead of working out with his teammates? Was he giving his all when he was throwing our seasons away in overtime? Was he giving his all when he went on national TV and said our GM was a liar?

      “….an incredible career”. Yeah, that’s what the HOF is for. Getting your number retired is supposed to be for people who’ve made franchise-altering contributions to the organization. 5 titles. Making the organization more attractive to black athletes. Revolutionizing the position. Or giving 30 years of service to the team.

      He was a great QB for about 4 years. Then he had another 10 years where he ranged from above-average to below-average. And he is without a doubt the biggest big game liability in the history of the NFL.

      On the merits, he doesn’t deserve to have his number retired.

  6. “Favre deserves to go into Canton with the full force of Packer Nation behind him”.

    Why?

    If you’re a dick to me, Kris, and make it your goal to make my existence miserable -you aren’t my friend. Now if you come apologize to me and reinforce it with your actions, I will forgive you.

    If you’re forgiving me to get something like say a paycheck, I’ll tell you to go (*earmuffs*) yourself.

    1. I am with you. The Bears game would be the best choice. Farvre was a great player, but also seriously full of himself. I say give him the honors he deserves for his play and then lets move on.

  7. The Bear game sunday night in front of a national audiance. Show the nation what great fans we are as we retire Favres number. One of the greatest Packers of all time.

  8. I am right behind you on most things, but to say that the return of #4 is in the front of Cheese Heads minds is a reach. I am way past all the who-ha over his departure even his time with the Queens but the bottom line for me and most of my friends is that it just doesn’t matter…
    What matters is will the defense be better, will the O-line solidify, and are what are we doing to get back to the big dance. What is on the front of my mind is winning, beating the Bears, Lions, & Queens – 2X.

      1. I mostly won’t care when it happens. I might cheer a little, but if he cries I will roll my eyes. But more likely I will switch over to the AFC game at halftime anyways.

  9. I agree with you about the focus being on the defense standing strong this year. but, it will be nice to see favre’s jersey retired.he was one of the best Quarterbacks to ever play the game and he played for our packers.life is way to short to hold a grudge. Go pak Go!

  10. the first home game is usually the alumni game. There will be former Packers everywhere, and the spotlight won’t be on just Favre. Bring him in. Get him in front of the real fans and see whats up. Its the Jets, one of his former teams, so the opponents will have someone to clap for. Then you can figure out when you want to retire his jersey. Bringing him back for the first time since the breakup as the spotlight personality and retiring his jersey right then wouldn’t be fair to him or the fans. lets break the ice first. Week 2, first home 2014 game, alumni weekend. He can hang out with Majik and Bart.

  11. Retire his number the first home game and then unretire his number. Then retire it the 2nd home game and then unretire it. Do this the whole season. Who’s with me?

  12. Why is there a rush to retire his number? Are his supporters unaware of the fact that a significant number of Packer fans think he acted dishonorably towards the organization? Or do they just not care?

    Reggie White was dead before the organization honored him. So was Curly Lambeau. But we need to rush to give the highest honor the franchise can bestow to a guy who went out of his way to hurt the franchise? Why?

    Favre himself has said it’s no big deal to him. Fine. Let him wait until it is a big deal to him. The organization is bigger than Favre, not vice-versa, and they shouldn’t feel it’s up to them to mend the rift.

  13. My wife surprised me by buying tickets to Brett Favre’s retirement game vs. Minnesota on opening day in 2008

    She bought the tickets early and Brett then announced he would be a Jet. So, at least I got to see Aaron’s first game.

    No way I am falling for that again but I will watch on TV this time.

    Brett is crazy and I love him so I wish him well.

  14. Green Bay Gazette released an article last year about this very subject (the link is no longer available) titled “it’s too soon for Favre, Packers”. I agreed with it word for word.

    The gist of it was that there’s no point in trying to force a reunion. Just because there will be a ceremony does not mean there will not be any remaining resentment. It needs to happen on it’s own, at it’s own pace.

    Me personally, I will never idolize Favre ever again, not as a player or as a person. He was folk-like cult hero who turned his back on the franchise he brought back to life, but worse, never showed any remorse. His so-called apologies are clearly scripted. And then he had to embarrass his family by flirting with Jenn Sterger.

    I just don’t see why I have to come across an article like this every month. It’s like people want to believe that Favre is as much as a hero he ever was that they just believe it.

    I think people need to just let it go already. Favre is not the hero we thought he was.

  15. After several years I feel the same about him as I did when all the stuff was happening. If I were to be in the crowd at Lambeau when he was honoured, I might be moved to boo and I might not, depending on how I felt in the moment.

    I find it hard to forgive him because of how many things he did to upset Packer fans. Favre helping the Lions dissect the Packers game before the Packers Lions game, the texting to Sterger, the scheming to join the Vikes so he could guarantee two games against the Packers each year. the retiring/unretiring, the schemes to get out of having to do training camp at the Jets and Vikes. Each thing diminished him, until he was a wizened ugly shell of the colossus who had such an impact on the game.

    As Chad Lundberg said, he was not who we thought he was. It is astonishing to me, even now, how much he needed approval and how vengeful he could be when he thought he wasn’t getting enough.

    I have never seen a man who had been held in such high regard work so hard to ruin his reputation with fans of the team he was on for so long.

    For the many fans who chide those of us that are still unhappy with him, those who tell us to move on…..well no.

  16. Here’s my 2 cents about when or if Favre returns. Who cares? I know I don’t. Favre was the best player in the game at his peak, but he was never a classy person, in my view. I’m grateful for what he did for the Packers during his time in GB, but that’s as far as it gets. If I were present at the game when he comes back, I wouldn’t cheer him and I wouldn’t boo him. I’d give him the silent treatment. Because I have no emotional attachment to Favre at all as I do with Bart Starr and other great former Packer players. Favre blew his opportunity to be in the same class as Starr and other great former Packers, for me. If others disagree with me — fine. I’m not telling you how you should feel about him. And no one can tell me how I should feel about him.

  17. Here’s my 2 cents about when or if Favre returns. Who cares? I know I don’t. Favre was the best player in the game at his peak, but he was never a classy person, in my view. I’m grateful for what he did for the Packers during his time in GB, but that’s as far as it gets. If I were present at the game when he comes back, I wouldn’t cheer him and I wouldn’t boo him. I’d give him the silent treatment. Because I have no emotional attachment to Favre at all as I do with Bart Starr and other great former Packer players. Favre blew his opportunity to be in the same class as Starr and other great former Packers, for me. If others disagree with me — fine. I’m not telling you how you should feel about him. And no one can tell me how I should feel about him.

  18. Here’s my 2 cents about when or if Favre returns. Who cares? I know I don’t. Favre was the best player in the game at his peak, but he was never a classy person, in my view. I’m grateful for what he did for the Packers during his time in GB, but that’s as far as it gets. If I were present at the game when he comes back, I wouldn’t cheer him and I wouldn’t boo him. I’d give him the silent treatment. Because I have no emotional attachment to Favre at all as I do with Bart Starr and other great former Packer players. Favre blew his opportunity to be in the same class as Starr and other great former Packers, for me. If others disagree with me — fine. I’m not telling you how you should feel about him. And no one can tell me how I should feel about him.

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