Brett Favre has been through this scenario before, and he has some straightforward opinions about the Green Bay Packers’ decision to use a first-round draft pick on quarterback Jordan Love. He doesn’t blame Love, but he believes the Packers mishandled the situation with Aaron Rodgers and anticipates repercussions.

Like many, Favre was caught off guard when the Packers traded up in the first round to draft a quarterback. “I was really surprised,” Favre told SiriusXM NFL Radio. “I was more shocked than when Aaron was drafted in my case years ago. They were just a few plays away from the Super Bowl… To me, this conveys a message to Aaron: ‘We’re focusing on our future first and dealing with the present later.'”

The Packers, who were just one victory short of making it to the Super Bowl last season, are in dire need of a wide receiver. Last week’s draft was one of the most talent-rich at the position in league history, with standout players like Clemson’s Tee Higgins and USC’s Michael Pittman Jr. still available when the Packers made their pick.

Instead, they selected a backup quarterback, much to the disappointment of many. “I’m not sure what the immediate need would have been,” Favre continued. “But I would have thought perhaps another receiver, someone who could step in immediately and help us reach the Super Bowl.”

Favre: Packers ‘showed disrespect’ to Rodgers. Favre was equally forthright on the “Rich Eisen Show,” stating that the Packers sent an inappropriate message to their franchise quarterback, who has two MVP awards and a Super Bowl ring. “Green Bay is one of those teams that should be playing for the present,” Favre told Eisen. “They didn’t draft any offensive weapons, not just in the first round, but none that could contribute right away to my knowledge. And that sends a message of disrespect to Aaron Rodgers.”

The Packers selected two offensive skill-position players — second-round running back A.J. Dillon and third-round tight end Josiah Deguara. With Aaron Jones and his 1,500 scrimmage yards and 19 total touchdowns from last season leading the Packers’ backfield, the choice of Dillon was nearly as puzzling as picking Love. Neither Dillon nor Deguara will fill the wide receiver gap opposite Davante Adams in the Packers’ offense.

Favre knows the routine. Favre, of course, was in Rodgers’ position when the Packers chose Rodgers as his successor in 2005. Favre played three more seasons in Green Bay before passing the baton to Rodgers and finishing his career with the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings. Despite potential animosity, Favre told Eisen that “Aaron and I get along great.” He mentioned speaking with Rodgers after the draft and that he was “surprised” by the Love selection.

Favre predicts Rodgers will eventually leave the Packers. He clarified that he wasn’t speaking on Rodgers’ behalf when he said this, but he told Eisen he believes the selection of Love will cause an irreparable rift in Rodgers’ relationship with the team, ultimately leading to Rodgers finishing his career elsewhere. “I think they’ve burned a bridge that will be hard to mend,” Favre told Eisen. “At some point, it will come back to haunt them… I think Aaron will end up somewhere else. That’s my gut feeling. I guarantee you this. It’s got Aaron thinking. If that’s the case, then there’s a chip on his shoulder toward the organization that wasn’t there previously.”

In the meantime, he doesn’t expect Rodgers to mentor his potential replacement. “It’s not his responsibility to mentor Jordan Love,” Favre said. “This discussion happened when I left Green Bay. It’s not the lead guy’s job to coach the next guy. That individual is ultimately there to take your position.”