INDIANAPOLIS — The Green Bay Packers aren't the only ones waiting to see whether Brett Favre comes back for an 18th NFL season.

There are 31 other teams — the 15 other NFC teams in particular, including the Packers' three North division rivals — wondering what the veteran quarterback will do, too.

And more than a few of them have been happy to express their stance on Favre's annual retire-or-return conundrum.

"Players and coaches (say), 'Tell that old guy to retire,' " Packers coach Mike McCarthy said during a break in this week's NFL scouting combine. "I hear that all the time."

Including at the Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome the past few days.

While Favre is home in Mississippi considering for the sixth straight offseason whether he wants to give it another go, at least a few of the Packers' rivals and conference opponents are hoping he opts to walk away.

"I doubt that's going to happen (just) from watching Brett play," said Minnesota coach Brad Childress, whose Vikings were 0-2 against the Packers in 2007, as Favre completed 65 of 91 passes for 695 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions (111.7 rating) in the two games. "Am I holding out any hopes that he quits? I probably (have more) hope that he falls off his lawnmower."

"Going to play forever"

Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith and Detroit Lions coach Rod Marinelli also were resigned Saturday to dealing with Favre's fate, whatever it is.

"You know, we're concerned about the Bears. That occupies all of our time," said Smith, who is 6-2 against the Packers and Favre after the Bears went 4-20 against Favre the previous 12 years. "Brett Favre is a heck of a football player. Would it help us for him to be somewhere else? Sure. But I just assume he's going to play forever."

Marinelli, whose Lions lost both their games to the Packers in 2007 — including a 37-26 Thanksgiving Day loss in which Favre was 31-for-41 for 381 yards, three TDs and no INTs (128.2 rating) — acknowledged that his team would be better off if Favre retired but said worrying about it "doesn't do any good. If it did some good, I'd pay (more) attention."

Added Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, Favre's quarterbacks coach from 2003 through '05 in Green Bay: "I love the guy — he's a terrific competitor, a great player, so you root for people like that — but obviously being on the other side, if they lose a player of his caliber, it's good for us."

That was the prevailing sentiment among the coaches interviewed at the combine over the previous three days, largely because Favre had such success against their teams.

"For sure, I want him to retire," said St. Louis coach Scott Linehan, whose Rams handled Favre (19-for-30, 225 yards, two TDs and two INTs) but still lost 33-14 on Dec. 16. "But I would be really surprised (if he does). You can just see, he's been reborn. He just defies everything. He just gets better with age.

"As long as you can protect him, and they were able to get that running game going, (so) he didn't have to chuck it every time. He's unbelievable."

Decision affects team

Linehan was among the coaches surprised and impressed by how well Favre played while turning 38 during the season.

Favre finished the regular season having completed a career-best 66.5 percent of his regular-season passes for 4,155 yards, 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions for a 95.7 passer rating, his best since 1995.

"He was making good decisions, he was taking care of the ball for the most part, and that's always been his deal," Bevell said. "As long as he takes care of the ball, he can play at a high level."

And when he doesn't, the Packers are in trouble.

Despite his astonishing renaissance, for some, his season will be defined by the final pass he threw: An interception to Corey Webster in overtime of the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 20 at Lambeau Field, setting up the field goal that sent the New York Giants to Super Bowl XLII.

The Giants are facing a similar situation with veteran defensive end Michael Strahan, who missed all of training camp last year while contemplating retirement, only to decide to return for a 15th season less than a week before the regular season began.

Strahan again is pondering his options after the Giants won the NFL title.

"It's different, because he has that ring now. (But) if he wants to come back, we want him back," said Giants general manager Jerry Reese, adding he hopes Favre comes back next season. "I just think there's got to be respect on both sides.

"You respect guys like Brett Favre and Michael Strahan. Those guys have really learned the right to take some time and make a decision. But we (also) want them to respect us enough to give us a decision so we can move forward in what we need to do to try and build our team to try to get ready to go."

Holmgren wants one more

For his part, McCarthy said the only way Favre's indecision affects the Packers is if he doesn't decide by the start of free agency at 11 p.m. next Thursday. In that case, the Packers wouldn't know if they needed to sign a veteran backup for Aaron Rodgers if Favre did quit, or if his $12 million base salary for 2008 will be on the books.

"I wouldn't play any differently with Brett or without Brett. Conceptually, we'll still attack it the same way," McCarthy said. "It doesn't change anything from a scheme (or) preparation standpoint."

Still, despite some coaches' hopes, not all of Favre's would-be opponents would like to see him hang 'em up.

Former Packers and current Seattle coach Mike Holmgren, whose team was knocked out of the playoffs for the second time in five years in an NFC divisional playoff game Jan. 12, will coach his final season with the Seahawks in 2008, and he hopes Favre is back for one more year, too.

"You know what? I love seeing him. He plays great against me, and that's a tough thing, but I want him to play as long as he wants to play," said Holmgren, Favre's coach from 1992 through '98. "But I really have nothing to do with that. If he's there, I'll do what I always do — give him a hug, and (tell him) it's good to see him. If he's not there, then we play (against) whoever's playing."