Is it real or is a contract ploy?
By Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel
Aug. 3, 2010 1:52 p.m. |(13) COMMENTS
Green Bay -- Last night I was talking to former Packers safety LeRoy Butler about his comments not so long ago that Brett Favre didn't know what to do with himself after football and that's why he couldn't retire.
Butler also mentioned that he had heard through some NFL channels that Favre was trying to extend his contract to three years at $13 million a year. He didn't know if Favre wanted guaranteed money behind this year or some kind of assuarance he would be paid next year if there was a lockout.
Then, this morning, comes news that Favre has informed people with the Vikings that he is retiring. Who exactly he informed, hasn't been reported, but some players allegedly got text messages saying that he was done.
Early this afternoon, FoxSports.com reported that the Vikings are prepared to offer Favre more money and more time away from camp prior to the season. Since nothing has come out of the Favre camp yet, and the Vikings haven't released any official word of Favre making a decision, one can only assume that his retirement is not guaranteed.
Butler's comments would lead one to believe that Favre wants to be compensated better for being the Vikings' savior. Whether that's true, remains to be seen, but don't think this story is over. Not by a long shot.
As Packers fans know, nothing is ever final with Favre. And to think he could be positioning himself for a better deal than the one-year $13 million he's tied to now, certainly isn't out of the question, especially with Sam Bradford get $50 million guaranteed from the St. Louis Rams and Peyton Manning and Tom Brady about to hit the jackpot with their respective teams.
Favre would be way down the totem pole if he comes back for $13 million. Favre isn't money hungry, but he has always been a sign of respect for him to be the highest - or close to the highest - paid quarterback in the NFL.
Stay tuned.