Rodgers unfazed by Favre flap

If retired quarterback Brett Favre’s zigzag run back to the NFL is bothering Aaron Rodgers (pictured), the Pleasant Valley High School grad and former Cal Bears star isn’t saying so. Interviewed by Fox Sports, Rodgers—Favre’s backup with the Green Bay Packers for three seasons—suggested he was ignoring the media reports and focusing on preparing to take over Favre’s job.

“Rumors are rumors,” he said, “and I’m not going to speculate on them either way, but nothing anybody says or does is really going to affect my preparation.”

Rodgers’ confidence may have something to do with Packers management’s strong statement of commitment to him as their starting QB next season. As a result, Favre’s initial interest in returning as a Packer has now become a desire to be released to play for another team (he has three years remaining on his $12 million-a-year contract).

So far, the Packers have refused to release him, out of an apparent concern that he might end up playing in the same division.