Obviously, many people have very different opinions on the fact that Brett Favre is not only returning to the NFL, but likely to a new team. Seems unfathomable the thought of Favre in another uniform, and many Packers fans and others are very upset that Favre flip-flopped and seems intent on going elsewhere. But it’s a very safe bet that there are plenty of NFL teams that would be more than happy to welcome Brett with open arms, whether it would be short term or long term. Let’s look at all of the potential suitors who are in the QB market and where Favre could be going.

Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens still have a pretty good defense, and with a halfway decent offense they could be maybe be a playoff team. But the talent around him would be pretty thin, lackluster skill players and a very inexperienced o-line. Plus they have a new coach in John Harbaugh who was a special teams coordinator. Plus, Joe Flacco is in the waiting; they might prefer to take their chances with their newest draft pick. I don’t think this is too likely.

Miami Dolphins: I imagine Favre wants to win, as he really doesn’t have any more records to reach for with padding stats. Even with Favre, that team is far from a playoff contender and I just don’t see him going here even if the money was good. I know Florida is ideal for old retired people, but if he’s not retiring, it makes no sense.

Buffalo Bills: The Bills QB situation is far from perfect, as Losman wants out, and I’m personally not sold on Edwards. But I think the Bills would be content enough with Edwards that they wouldn’t pursue Brett.

New York Jets: They really don’t have squat at QB either, and a decent surrounding cast offensively. Being in New York, Favre would get more attention than the absurd amount he already gets, which may appeal to him. I think the Jets could be on the way back up, but I don’t see a huge turnaround from them this year. How much do they still trust Kellen Clemens? They don’t seem like a real contender this year, but how important is that to Favre? I ultimately don’t see the Jets really going after him.

Oakland Raiders: Al Davis loves the deep ball. Brett loves to throw the deep ball. But that’s got to be the only appeal there for Brett. You won’t win squat in Oakland, and they still wouldn’t be giving him a whole lot to work with. Plus, the Raiders probably don’t want to have all of JaMarcus Russell’s guaranteed cash be going to him on the bench. They don’t need him getting any fatter.

Kansas City Chiefs: I don’t know how much Herm Edwards trusts Brodie Croyle. If they brought in Favre for a year or two, it’d probably end Croyle being “the future.” He would have a lot of young players to work with like in Green Bay on the team as a whole. Dwayne Bowe is a promising young WR and Tony Gonzalez is as reliable as they come. But even with Favre and the Draft they had, this team still has a very crappy defense and overall probably wouldn’t be a large threat. Although this is a somewhat decent possibility in my opinion as being the choice for his next team. As mentioned before, what does he want or what price does that Packers want?

To the NFC now…

Arizona Cardinals: This would seem unlikely, since you’d assume they’re still going to use Matt Leinart. But Favre with that receiving crew would be absolutely absurd, and the Cards would probably become a playoff threat. But it seems unlikely they would go after him with the money invested in Leinart plus Kurt Warner still being employed.

San Francisco 49ers: I think it’s fairly safe to say that Alex Smith will never do “diddley poo” with the 49ers. The offense added some firepower at the skill positions, but the offense as a whole is still fairly unimpressive. This team with Favre could maybe be a low-end playoff team in a weak NFC, but is how badly does getting a ring matter to him? This could be the choice, but you’d think they’d have to find a way to get rid of Smith’s huge salary if he’s not going to play. That would be a lot of money on the line, but I still this has a good chance.

St. Louis Rams: There are still some questions as to if Marc Bulger can return to form. They signed Trent Green and have Bruce Gradkowski and Brock Berlin, so I wouldn’t think they’d press for him. But that offense would be very dangerous.

Atlanta Falcons: Teams are often reluctant to start a rookie at QB, even one drafted highly. But with Favre, there’s no guarantee that he wouldn’t try to stay for more than a year. The Falcons wouldn’t really give him anything to work with, and a very low probability of winning games. It would be pretty ironic that he would return to the team that drafted him and tossed him because they didn’t want him, but he’ll probably go to a NFC North team anyway. He won’t win there, so I doubt that’s his choice.

Carolina Panthers: Delhomme is coming off a major injury and Matt Moore hasn’t really proven to be much as of now. Favre would probably have a solid chance to win with them. Heck, that team went 7-9 and they had a non-existent offense minus Smith and their best defensive player, Peppers, wasn’t worth jack. He’d be working with a great Steve Smith and D.J. Hackett along with a serviceable line and a serviceable defense. I think the question would more if the Panthers wanted him. It looks like it would work for him, but are the Panthers done with Delhomme, who’s been solid? Make sure not to sleep on Carolina in this sweepstakes.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: We all know that Jon Gruden loves him his quarterbacks. Heck, he traded a pick for a guy who was LEGITIMATELY retired. Jeff Garcia is a solid safe quarterback, but he can’t do the things on the field that Favre can. They have a decent offensive, and an old experienced D that probably has only one more good year left with the likes of Barber and Brooks. However, with Favre, they could definitely make a run in the NFC. Although it’d make Jeff Garcia angry, something tells me that Gruden wouldn’t hesitate to go after Favre, and I think Tampa is definitely a likely spot.

Detroit Lions: They have a ton of weapons, but an awful line. While Kitna isn’t bad, Favre could do a lot with that receiving group like he did this past year. But being in that division for all of those years, he should know pretty well that winning won’t likely come with the Lions. Plus, signing with a hated divisional rival would be taking a big dump on Packers management (which he probably wouldn’t mind doing). But he’d also be taking a dump of his loyal fans and teammates, which is a big question with all 3 divisional teams. How much would that mean to Favre? The Lions are definitely the most unlikely of the bunch in the North.

Chicago Bears: The Bears still have a pretty good defense that could win games, but Favre would have next to nothing to work with offensively. He’d have a very old and crappy offensive line, no running game unless Forte is great, and nothing at receiver other than Hester, who doesn’t know how to catch. But if he REALLY wants to stick it to Green Bay, the Bears would be the choice. I give it a decent chance of happening.

Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings would seemingly be an ideal fit. They have a very good offensive line and a fantastic running game. They added Bernard Berrien, who would become his new Greg Jennings, and the young Sidney Rice, who has great hands and could become his new Donald Driver. They run the West Coast offense, plus they have a very strong defense. And to top it all off Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell was Favre's quarterback coach in Green Bay for three years (2003-05). Of all of his potential choices, no other team would give him nearly as good of a shot at a Super Bowl as the Vikings. But would he be willing to play in the same division as the Packers, and would the Vikings pursue him? Or an even better question is: Will the Vikings even be able to pursue him? Some people think Minnesota is Favre's number one choice, and that the Packers will obviously do everything possible to prevent him from going there (obviously). Maybe the Vikings would simply be content developing the young Tarvaris Jackson.

Ultimately, if winning games is what Favre really wants, he should have just said “I’m not retiring” and stuck with the Packers, because let’s face it; if he had said from the beginning he was staying they would have had no problem starting him, and the Packers are more likely to contend than any of the teams listed.

But who knows what Brett Favre wants? And besides, the Packers don’t have to flat out release him, they could trade him somewhere, which would most certainly eliminate the Vikings and Bears. Favre can request an “unconditional release”, but the Packers could very easily say “not a chance,” and then proceed to activate and trade him. The Packers would also likely be a lot more willing to ship him to an AFC team that they wouldn’t have to worry about.

In the end, it probably won’t matter where he goes. Remember, he’s on the cover of Madden, so his season and career will inevitably end in injury sometime around week 3.

[HT: Deadspin for the photoshop image]