Opinions about the Brett Favre retirement issue are like cowboy hats in Texas. Everyone has one. The latest notable National Football League observer to weigh in on the topic is John Madden, who will be calling Sunday night games for NBC-TV this season.

Madden said he would not be surprised if the Green Bay Packers quarterback was traded. Madden made his comments about Favre Tuesday night on the "NFL Total Access" show on NFL TV during an interview with Rich Eisen and Rod Woodson.

"I don't know if it has to be in Green Bay," Madden said, referring to Favre returning to play in the National Football League for his 16th season.

"It just sounds like to me that if he's going to play — and again I haven't talked to him, I've just listened to him — it sounds like he may be setting himself up to be traded," Madden said. "He would probably want to play, but he wants to play with a team that has a chance to win. The Packers really don't look like they are going in that direction right now, so maybe he's talking about another team."

Madden acknowledged that Favre repeatedly has said to him and others that he does not want to end his career with any team but the Packers.

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"But I wouldn't be surprised if there was a trade," Madden said. "There are a number of teams that could use him. . . . There are a lot of moving parts in this that could include the draft and could maybe include Brett Favre."

Madden said Favre will have to make up his mind soon because players, especially older players, need time to get ready for the season.

"Obviously, he has to give an answer pretty soon because if you are going to play you have to get ready to play," Madden said. "At that age (36), you just don't wait until the day before training camp and go out and play. You have to start getting ready. The older you are, the sooner you have to start getting ready. So I think that's going to be a key. Is he starting to get ready to play?"

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Madden will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Aug. 5 in Canton, Ohio. Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis will be his presenter. The others going into the hall that day are late Packers defensive end Reggie White, quarterbacks Warren Moon and Troy Aikman, linebacker Harry Carson and tackle Rayfield Wright.

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