Favre Mulls Retirement, Again

Football might not be as willing to wait this time around.

By MAGGIE HENDRICKS

Updated 11:47 AM EST, Sun, Jul 12, 2009

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And so it begins. The country will once again hang on the hemming and hawwing of one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Except this time, it seems as if football will not be quite so patient when waiting for Brett Favre to retire. Or not retire.

Last year, Favre retired, but when he decided to come back to the game, football welcomed him back with open arms. His longtime team, the Green Bay Packers, did not, but the New York Jets were more than happy to sign him. After his season with the Jets, they might not be as quick to have him start again.

True, he helped the Jets to a strong start and a five-game winning streak. But his age began to show late in the season, and they lost four out of their last five games to miss the playoffs. he threw as many interceptions as he did touchdowns, 22, and passed for less than 3500 yards for the first time since 2003. The poor play of the Brett Favre, particularly the three interceptions thrown in the season-ending loss to Miami, is one of the reasons why Eric Mangini is looking for a job.

Even his own teammates aren't sure that they want Favre under center. In a radio interview, running back Thomas Jones voiced his displeasure about Favre's performance.

"The other day, the three interceptions really hurt us. I mean, that's just reality. If I were to sit here and say, 'Oh, man, it's okay,' that's not reality. The reality is, you throw interceptions, I'm (ticked) off, I don't like it. You know what I'm saying? I don't like it, I know everybody else on the team doesn't like it."

According to Sports Illustrated's Peter King, Favre's go-to reporter, Favre is leaning towards hanging up his cleats, and that would be the right move. If Favre continues the Hamlet routine during the 2009 off-season, the NFL might not be as forgiving as they were in 2008.