I think a lot of fault is mistakenly being put on Brett. He's a victim of his own success in the light that he's so popular every news journalist person does anything they can to get his comments.
How many times has he sought out ESPN and said, I'm retiring. Then said I'm not retiring.
The man is HOUNDED repeatedly by the press. All he does is give the answer as how he feels at that moment. Sometimes he feels like he's done, others he craves the game and will continue.
Did he retire from the Packers?
Yes in part because he was mistakenly pressured into giving a response that he was returning. He was pressured by Ted and Mike because they both were "certain" he would be back.
Did he retire from the Packers to join the Vikings?
I don't subscribe to this theory. just don't have anything that adds water to that argument.
Brett felt he could unretire and resume his position because of everything he did for the Packers, he felt that it was his RIGHT to come back when he wanted. When the Packers did not warm up to that notion, he became pissed off and he was HURT which is something most fail to fathom.
Brett's appearance and dialogue on Greta Van Sustren (sp) was awful in my opinion. I feel he tried getting even with that interview, tried defacing the Packers, specifically Ted and wanted to get the fans to sympathize with his side of the situation. Kind of like saying "I want to be YOUR QB, but Ted and Mike won't let me". He even indirectly threw James Campen, a friend, under the bus.
I now firmly believe that Brett retired from the Jets with the PRIMARY goal of being let go so he could sign with the Vikings. I believe this was primarily concocted by James "Bus" Cook too. Retire before the draft, if they get a QB it increases the chances of them letting you walk! (keep in mind, once cut, clear waivers, he has to get a new contract, thats how agents get paid) I don't think he wanted to be on the Jets anymore. For the first time in a very long time, he had teammates publicly speaking out against him. I don't care who you are, when you're that big of an icon and that happens, it stings. The only and I mean ONLY logical landing spot for Brett was the Vikings. They were the ONLY team that was just a good QB away from being a SERIOUS contender and they ran a offense he lived and slept in.
Beating Ted and Mike was only the cherry on top, it wasn't the entire dessert. If you ask the press and most who don't care to really look into things, they'll say it was Brett's main goal for going to the Vikings.
With that said, I think Brett has lost some respect from many people (myself included), but the majority of the blame for the negative perception for him falls onto the press and their lack of ability to conjure up non-Brett stories. Can't think of something to write? Phone Brett or his agent or anyone who knows Brett personally and twist a 30 second conversation into a 500 word article!