Greg Olsen says Bears, Favre not a good match

Jul/09/08 04:31 PM Filed in: Greg Olsen







From the "what else is he supposed to say" department, Chicago Bears tight end Greg Olsen said he is happy with his team's quarterbacks and wouldn't be interested in acquiring retired quarterback Brett Favre.

Appearing on ESPN's "First Take" this morning, Olsen correctly suggested that "I don't think that would really ever come true." (As we've noted before, it's hard to imagine the Green Bay Packers either trading Favre to a division rival or releasing him if another NFC North team were interested.)

The Bears plan to go to training camp with Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton competing for the starting job, and Olsen said: "I think we're happy with the two guys we've got. I think we've got a good quarterback competition with Kyle and Rex ... and I think the guys are real comfortable with one of those guys being the guy for us in the future."

Olsen admitted it is "exciting" to hear people talk about the possibility of a Hall of Fame quarterback coming to Chicago. But as far as Favre goes, Olsen said, "I don't think the team or the situation would be ready for that."

Olsen has no choice but to express support for his teammates, especially given the slim-to-none chance Favre has of landing with the team. But don't assume Olsen was just giving lip service to the issue.

Certainly, Favre could make the Bears better in 2008. But he would be the shortest of short-term solutions. Who is to say he wouldn't subject his next team (if there is one) to the same kind of offseason uncertainty he has burdened the Packers with for the past few years? A player like Olsen, who is entering his second year, is hoping the Bears find a long-term quarterback -- possibly Grossman or Orton -- that he can grow with.

Would Bears players bar Favre from the locker room? Hardly. But it's probably a generalization to say they would all be unconditionally in favor of his arrival, either.

(espn.com)