It’s a testament to the strength of Brett Favre’s character that he’s still playing for the Green Bay Packers. No, trades hardly ever happen in the NFL. But there are certain special circumstances that require athletes to shift from team-to-team every so often.

In almost every other professional sport you’ll hear the line “I just want to play for a winner.” No one argues with that sentiment because we can all understand the desire to win a championship. Dan Marino, one of the all-time greatest QBs in NFL history still has to defend himself against scribes and sportscasters who say he’s diminished by the lack of a huge, gaudy championship ring on his finger.

Now we’re talking about Brett Favre. With more than a few specks of grey in his hair he led the Packers to a 10-6 record last year. He threw for 30 TDs and 4,088 yards. But he couldn’t get them to the Big Game.

Now that’s not Brett’s fault. And we all know he’s won a Super Bowl, so the echoes of Marino-eqsue detractors won’t haunt him when he hangs up his spikes. But does that preclude him from, again, wanting to play for a team that has a chance to win it all?

Packers management came into this season knowing there was no chance of even getting out of the 1st round (assuming they actually made the playoffs). Major issues on the offensive line were left unaddressed, and the defensive secondary was in absolute tatters. Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera walked. And now you’ve got Gray Rugamer out there. Yet Favre, knowing this could be his last year with the green and gold, said absolutely nothing.

So I pose this question: Why not have #4 starting at QB for the Baltimore Ravens? They don’t have a QB, but they’ve got tons of defense. The Packers don’t have a defense, and they’ve got a young QB sitting on the bench ready to assume the reins. It won’t happen, but it makes perfect sense.

Favre might not be able to lead the Ravens to a championship. But with a competent QB at the helm you can bet they’d be right up there with the Colts and Pats are SuperBowl faves.

Brett is going to play another year. Why? Because he won’t go out on this 2005/2006 low-note. So it’s up to the Packers brass to do the right thing and give the guy a chance. Don’t put him out there next season with Adrian Klemm at LT. And realize that Ahmad Carroll and Al Harris are liabilities.