Favre’s waffling leaves Rodgers in limbo

You’re Aaron Rodgers and congratulations, you’re the new quarterback for the Green Bay Packers.

Probably.

You have stood on the sideline for three seasons, learning at the right hand of Brett Favre, who never got hurt and never got tired and never was out of the lineup. So there hasn’t been much for you to do. Sundays were a day of rest. By November, the only people in Green Bay more idle were beach lifeguards. You have one touchdown pass as a professional. But the big moment has finally arrived.

Maybe.

The job is yours now because Favre retired. His announcement was right there on “SportsCenter.” Tears and all. After a long and honorable career, he decided that his body had endured enough punishment, that game days were hard and the mornings after were worse. He was mentally worn down. So he rode into the sunset and wasn’t coming back.

Supposedly.

This is why the Packers drafted you in the first round out of California in 2005. So you’d be prepared when the time came, eager to show what you could do. Get ready for the cheers, the attention, the vibrant life of a starting NFL quarterback. Opportunity is knocking.

Or not.

The last word from Favre is that all those reports about him returning are nothing but rumors.

Until further notice.

He is 38. Soon, when it comes to skills and physical ability, the path will lead downhill like an escalator, if it doesn’t already. There is something to be said for a legend going out before time and the other teams expose him as old. Only boxers and Roger Clemens renege on retirements.

Theoretically.

His epic is secure. His No. 4 jersey will be retired with a record 442 touchdown passes.

Give or take.

His Hall of Fame career will also be forever dignified by the staggering streak of consecutive games started. The man was as perpetual on game day as the national anthem. The final count will be 275 games, including playoffs.

More or less.

So Favre weighed all the factors and concluded it was the right time to go. That logic is no different now than it was the day in March he made it official. Also, he would never want to put the Packers into the awkward position of either making a last-second U-turn and shelving all their replacement plans, or releasing him to go to another team. It would be something of a messy situation after the storybook farewell, with enough potential damage to go around, and nobody wants to see that.

Hypothetically.

Of course, Vince Lombardi retired but later worked for another team after the Packers, too.

But never mind.

The “itch” Favre feels, according to some news reports, must come from working in the garden.

Conceivably.

So the Packers’ huddle is now Mr. Rodgers’ neighborhood. Your off-season program no doubt carries more zest and urgency, all pointing toward that magic opening night when the Green Bay team will be yours.

Presumably.

The unfortunate little dustup with the fans over that quote of yours – “They need to get on board now or keep their mouths shut” – was all a little misunderstanding and will quickly be forgotten. You’ll be more careful because you know that in Wisconsin, hell hath no fury like cheeseheads scorned. Also, your teammates will accept you and not have cravings for an undecided Favre.

As matters stand now.

So the countdown is on. Your official debut will be Sept. 8, in Lambeau Field against the Minnesota Vikings.

Tentatively.

The Packers understand they have to move on. Favre understands there is a life beyond football. You’re Aaron Rogers and your time is now.

Unless it isn’t.