Favre’s poor decisions have led to criticism of the quarterback and his coaches, who can’t seem to rein in Favre’s freelancing the way Holmgren once did.

“He wants us to win,” offensive coordinator Tom Rossley said. “I’m sure he doesn’t want to throw the picks. And he knows what to do — says all the right things, does all the right things in practice. But in a competitive situation, his juices (are) flowing, and he thinks he can make some throws. Sometimes he hasn’t. Sometimes he has.”

The Packers bottomed out Dec. 19, an embarrassing 48-3 Monday night loss in Baltimore. The team sat down Favre in the second half to get playing time for Aaron Rodgers, a first-round draft pick who is Favre’s apparent successor.

Favre didn’t complain, but he is wondering if the team wants him to retire.

“Maybe ... they don’t know how to tell Brett Favre, ‘We want to go in a different direction,”’ Favre said.

Thompson says the team definitely wants Favre back.

There’s a third scenario, one that doesn’t seem particularly appealing to Favre: The Packers will ask him back, but won’t commit to loading up with experienced free agents for one more playoff run.

Favre has hinted he will watch the team’s offseason moves before making a decision.

“We have a ways to go to get back to where we were,” Favre said, “and what direction this team wants to go may not include me or may include me, but ’Brett, it may take a while to do this, are you willing to go along for a ride or are you willing to possibly have a season like this next year?’ So there are no guarantees.”

Then there’s Favre’s family. His father died in December 2003. His wife, Deanna, has survived a battle with breast cancer and mourned the death of her brother in an all-terrain vehicle accident. And several members of Favre’s family in Mississippi were displaced in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Unlike in years past — Favre memorably threw for 399 yards and four touchdowns against the Oakland Raiders one day after his father’s death — football hasn’t been an escape this year.

“You would hope that after the hurricane hit we could do something on the field to make everyone feel better, but that was not the case,” Favre said. “It has been difficult.”

So why would Favre come back?

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Flying on the hardwood, racing on the rink, getting physical on the gridiron, and much more. more photos

“There is nothing like running out of that tunnel,” Holmgren said. “It’s quite a rush. Then, all of a sudden, it stops. It’s hard to do.”

And most people think he still can play.

“Do I think he’s capable of it? I’d say without question,” Rossley said. “I think he knows that. I think all of our receivers know that. All of our coaches know that. I think the people that maybe question it are those who aren’t in practice every day, don’t see the way he practices, the fun he has.”

Favre said he has to figure out if he can fully commit to another season. He doesn’t want people to think he stuck around too long, but doesn’t know how to predict when his skills will erode.

“I think there’s a fine line,” Favre said. “You just don’t know.”

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Singletary wants to beat Bears, not reminisce   PFT’s Picks: Bears will claw past 49ers Davis' comments puts 49ers on defensive PFT: Bears’ Harris won’t be suspended for punch Pats-Colts is greatest NFL rivalry of 2000s PFT: Brady recalls when he met Peyton   Slideshow: Peyton vs. Brady through the years   Video: Harrison on how Pats can beat Colts   Video: Dungy on how Colts can beat Patriots PFT: Lewis tells Ochocinco to hold the mustard NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: