Peter King (who else?) has a good summary of why Brett Favre's decision to un-retire causes so many problems for the Packers, but I'm actually not sure it causes as many problems as people think. Yes, like everyone else, I'm completely frustrated with Favre's Hamlet performance every single offseason. Yes, the Packers have two years left on Aaron Rodgers's rookie contract, and if they don't give him the starting job now he's going to be miserable and probably gone in 2010. Yes, that means they sort of wasted a first-round pick. However, it isn't like they don't have a quarterback of the future without Rodgers. The mantle of heir apparent simply switches from Rodgers to Brian Brohm. Favre played very well last year and given all the talent around him in Green Bay, it is hard to see him crashing and burning in 2008.
However, I definitely see the problem with letting Favre go. The most obvious landing destinations for Favre are within the division, Minnesota or Chicago, and the Packers can't let that happen. The best solution would be a Joe Montana situation, a trade to an AFC team that doesn't compete with the Packers. Is there an AFC team with the talent to compete for a Super Bowl berth, but a hole at the quarterback position? At first glance, you may not think so, but I would like to make a suggestion: Brett Favre to Baltimore. As we write in PFP 2008, the Ravens were decimated by injuries in the secondary last year, and it is very likely that their defense will once again be one of the league's best in 2008. With Brett Favre at quarterback instead of Troy Smith or Kyle Boller, their offense probably improves to league-average, and the Ravens don't have to worry about whether Favre is only in it for one or two more years because they have Joe Flacco waiting in the wings. Favre's ability to make something out of nothing might help make up for the mistakes Jared Gaither makes in his attempt to replace Jon Ogden. I'm pretty sure Cam Cameron could design an offense that played to Favre's strengths, and both Cleveland and Pittsburgh are likely to decline this season.
Favre to Baltimore. That's the solution.