Packers: How Aaron Rodgers eventual departure differs from Brett Favre

How the Favre era ending differs from the Rodgers era ending.

Brett Favre started to hint at retirement around 1999. The “Tractor Watch” was an annual offseason tradition. Wisconsin was under a constant state of anxiety waiting for Favre to announce his return. Sometimes it happened quickly like in 2003. Sometimes it was announced late into April like in 2006.

That is why Packers management pressed Favre for a decision after the 2007 season. The general manager at the time, Ted Thompson, was tired of being held hostage. He had to know if Favre wanted to come back.

Favre famously retired and then a few months later unretired. Rodgers has hemmed and hawed on a decision the last couple of offseasons, but he at least has not kept the Packers sitting in the dark on his plans for too long.

Also, Rodgers has tried in the past to force his way out of Green Bay. Favre dangled retirement to get out of OTAs.

Although, both Favre and Rodgers had a tense relationship with Packers management. Then again, Green Bay did bend over backward for Rodgers the last couple of offseasons to make him happy.

The Packers also had a few more teams interested in Favre’s services. The Tampa Buccaneers also tried to trade for Favre.

It looks like it is the New York Jets or bust when it comes to Rodgers’ trade market.

Favre was replaced by Rodgers who was in the running to be the No. 1 overall pick in 2005. The only reason he fell to the Packers was because there was a draft anomaly where a lot of teams did not need a quarterback.

The Packers are going to replace Jordan Love who was a borderline first-round graded quarterback. He  had a lot more question marks than Rodgers did in the draft.