What to do with Big Cheese? Trade Favre -- or hope he reconsiders

So he'll allow the Packers to move forward and try to move forward himself by getting his release. And that's where it gets tricky. The club could cut him, as the 49ers could've released Montana, but it doesn't take a genius to understand how foolish that move would be.

First, anyone could sign him, which means he could wind up in the Packers' division. Second, I know of at least two clubs in the NFC North -- Chicago and Minnesota -- that might be interested if he were available, and try selling that to cheeseheads. Third, can you imagine the nightmare if Favre were to join Minnesota and return to Lambeau in the Monday night opener -- but as the quarterback of the Vikings?

That's why the only possible solution here is to trade the guy. I don't care what the Packers get in return, but they can't allow Brett Favre to sign with anyone in the division, and I'm not sure they can allow him to sign with anyone in the NFC.

If I'm the Packers, I hope Favre reconsiders. In fact, I'd pray for it only because there's no way for them to emerge from this looking good. But if he pushes the envelope and forces the team to make a move, then it must do something -- and it must let him go on.

But remember what the Packers said in their prepared statement: They have a "commitment to move forward" with the team. That means they can't sit Rodgers, and it means they can't allow Favre to show up twice on their schedule.

If he does, in fact, play again, it probably means the Packers become the San Francisco 49ers and make the tough call to trade him for whatever they can get. It turned out the 49ers could get a first-round draft choice for Montana.

I doubt the bidding will be as high for Favre, but you never know unless you try. You have to believe Tampa Bay would be interested partly because Jon Gruden once coached Favre, partly because Favre would be a perfect fit for Gruden's offense -- just as veterans Rich Gannon and Jeff Garcia were -- and mostly because Favre is a helluva quarterback.

Of course, I hope we don't get that far, but watching Montana leave San Francisco convinced me anything's possible. If Favre is determined to play again -- no, if he's determined to start again, which I think he is -- then what is probable is that Green Bay trades him.

It's the team's only choice.