Back in 2008, we got our first taste of a hall of fame caliber quarterback on the free agent market, and how the card companies would respond to them switching teams. Brett Favre was traded from the Packers to the Jets, and Upper Deck jumped all over his potential to be New York’s next Joe Namath. It happened again in 2009 with both Favre and Michael Vick, and this time special cards were issued in products commemorating the deals. Panini got into the mix this time with UD, issuing an SSP in 2009 Donruss Threads, which was chased heavily by Vikings fans.

Many of these cards from that year are still worth a considerable amount of money due to rarity. I remember when Panini released the first Favre Vikings “auto”, which was shouted from the rooftops, even though it was just a sticker on a base card. Topps was the first to offer an on-card Favre auto in 2010 Five Star, almost a year later, and these cards are definitely some of the most valuable of his run with Minnesota.

2009 Brett Favre SPX Vikings Preview Card

2009 Brett Favre Threads SSP Base Card

2009 Michael Vick SPX Eagles Preview Card

2008 Brett Favre UD Icons Letterman

With the creation of photoshop programs that automatically edit players into their new jerseys, waiting for the action to actually take place is a thing of the past. Both Panini and Topps have already issued previews of Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning in their new digs, and personally, I think it is a REALLY awesome thing. The press conference or practice field “red jersey” cards are awful, and I think that airbrushed cards like this look so much better for the visual representation that sports fans crave.

Additionally, the card designs both look very cool, especially on the Topps side for Bowman Signature, which will be released shortly before the season begins. As more free agents switch teams, and more cards are created, there is one specific group of people that will benefit – fans of that new team. I think the value assigned to SSP variations is a very nice added feature to packs without adding costly auto content, so I hope it continues. Similarly, as this practice is also used for rookies in products like inception, it takes the sting out of Upper Deck’s exclusive over college licensing, as we dont have to stand for close up face shots after the draft as much. Inception is a true representation of this, and I could not be happier.