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Favre joins Jets after trade from Packers

Bloomberg News

Published August 6, 2008 at 11:41 a.m.
Updated August 7, 2008 at 2 p.m.

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Brett Favre returned after changing his mind about retirement during the offseason.

Photo by David J. Phillip © AP

Brett Favre returned after changing his mind about retirement during the offseason.

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GREEN BAY, Wis. — Off the couch and out of the cold, Brett Favre is slipping on a new jersey.

Favre’s summertime soap opera ended Wednesday night when the Green Bay Packers traded their iconic quarterback to the New York Jets, who haven’t had a star of No. 4’s stature since the days Joe Namath was slinging passes and strolling down Broadway.

Brett’s a Jet, until the day he retires — again.

“It’s like a marriage that ends,” Packers president Mark Murphy said Thursday. “It happens. Neither party is at fault.” Favre, who announced his NFL playing career was over in March, was expected to be introduced at a 6 p.m. news conference at Cleveland Browns Stadium before the Jets played their first exhibition game.

Needing to get up to speed with the Jets’ offensive playbook, Favre wanted to join his new team as quickly as possible so he can get ready for the club’s season opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 7.

He spent the night at his home near Hattiesburg, Miss., before flying to New Jersey to meet with Jets officials.

Five months after a tearful goodbye to a Hall of Fame career, Favre, who won a Super Bowl title and three MVP awards in 16 seasons before his acrimonious split with the Packers, is joining a Jets team which went 4-12 last season.

For the moment, Favre brings the Jets publicity — second stringers in the New York area, they’re far overshadowed by the champion Giants.

Already, his jersey is being scooped up by fans who awakened Thursday morning to the news that the Mississippi country boy with the cannon right arm is on his way to the big city.

Until the deal was announced, it appeared the 38-year-old might be on his way to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But the Jets, who went to camp with Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens battling to be the starter, persisted and landed Favre for a fourth-round draft pick in 2009.

Pennington, benched midway through last season, was released Thursday afternoon.

A draft pick is hardly a steep price for a player who holds league records in career yards (61,655), touchdowns (442), wins (160) and hasn’t missed a start in 275 consecutive games.

“We wish him the best,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday. “There’s no ill feelings. He has a positive reputation within this organization.” New York gave up a conditional pick for Favre. According to NFL.com, the selection would turn into a third-rounder if Favre plays in 50 percent of the plays this season, a second-rounder if he plays in 70 percent and the Jets make the playoffs, or a first-round pick if he plays in 80 percent and the Jets make it to the Super Bowl.

“I am looking forward to seeing Brett Favre in a New York Jets uniform,” Jets chairman and CEO Woody Johnson said in a statement.

“He represents a significant addition to this franchise, and reflects our commitment to putting the best possible team on the field.” The Jets are hoping Favre can bring them some of the magic he created at Lambeau Field, a place where the sight of him dropping back into the pocket on a frozen Sunday and rocketing a ball downfield is as etched in Packers lore as legendary coach Vince Lombardi walking the sidelines.

Favre is coming off one of his most productive seasons, one during which he answered any doubts about whether he still had game. He passed for 4,155 yards, his most since 1998, and had 28 TDs with 15 interceptions. The arm strength was still there, and so was his ability to improvise and make something of nothing.

He led the Packers to the NFC championship, where they lost to the Giants in overtime. Favre’s final pass was intercepted, setting up New York’s winning field goal. That pick, a blemish on an otherwise brilliant season, may have haunted him and driven Favre back onto the field.

In New York, Favre will step behind an offensive line rebuilt during the offseason by the additions of free agents Alan Faneca and Damien Woody. He’ll have wide receivers Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery as his primary targets.

He’ll work under coach Eric Mangini — Favre is one year older than his new boss.

Following weeks of back-and-forth posturing and conjecture about Favre’s future, the Packers had little choice but to trade their popular superstar. Once Favre had announced he was quitting, Green Bay decided to hand its offense over to Aaron Rodgers, a former first-round pick whose every throw will by dissected by Green Bay’s rabid fans.

At one point, it appeared Favre, whose preference was to be traded inside the NFC North, and Packers would come to a reconciliation. But earlier this week, McCarthy said after six hours of “brutally honest” conversations over two days that he felt Favre didn’t have the right mind-set to play for the Packers.

“The train has left the station,” McCarthy said.

On Thursday, it stopped in New York.

Comments

  • August 6, 2008

    12:39 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    discer writes:

    At least John Elway was smart enough to stay retired!!

  • August 6, 2008

    1:25 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    cpd writes:

    What's Favre trying to do. Destroy his own great reputation? For what? To prove that an old guy can come back from retirement and play? Lots of old guys have done that----poorly. Give it up Brett. If you're broke, get yourself a game analyst job. You are a Packer icon along with Starr, McGee, and so many others. Do you really want to go into the Hall as a Buc? What a waste!

  • August 6, 2008

    1:31 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    dilligaf writes:

    What Favre can't get through his thick head is that at this time of the year teams have drafted by what they need. (the packers drafted two QB's) But the biggest thing is most teams are right up against the salary cap. But Favre doesn't care because this is ALL ABOUT HIM. I'm on Green Bays side on this one 100%.

  • August 6, 2008

    1:38 p.m.

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    princess writes:

    Dear Brett Favre, Go away.

  • August 6, 2008

    2:07 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jbartholomew42 writes:

    How can we miss him, when he will not go away?

  • August 6, 2008

    3:21 p.m.

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    RockyMts69 writes:

    I wonder who wants the come back even more...? Brett Favre...? Or maybe, I don't know....John Madden!!!? Mmmm???

  • August 6, 2008

    4:05 p.m.

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    MikeaLoeb writes:

    Why does it upset people that he wants to play football? What is the big deal about him changing his mind? If he wants to play, and someone wants him on their team - then God bless them both.

  • August 6, 2008

    4:16 p.m.

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    incognitoboy writes:

    i think he won't go away because nobody's been saying 'ah, there goes one of the game's greats, at the top of his game'...... maybe because the top of his game was several yrs ago and nobody begged him to stay. oh, and the whole pouting-while-you're-losing-in-the-playoffs thingy? we're over it, brett. you should be too.

    yes, brett. we know you love football. go love the rest of life for awhile, huh?

  • August 7, 2008

    1:03 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    kwik writes:

    I don't believe it. While the fans of Green Bay mourn and the Jets fans are stunned with disbelief, Roger Goodell is smiling. Roger Goodell is the biggest winner, and we are led to believe it happened by accident. I'm not buying that the Brett Favre deal just happened without any help from the commish. Consider what according to the media types has “just happened”: a quarterback legend has become the starting quarterback of a team located in the largest television market in the country. To Goodell any good news out of fly over country like Denver sends chills down his spine - assuming he has one. There is no advantage to network contracts with the league if a Denver, Kansas City, or Seattle are football powerhouses. Sorry about that Brandon. The Brett traded to the Jets coincidence also includes the scenario in which the Jets, the main divisional rival to the New England Patriots, have acquired a bona fide Superbowl quarterback. The result is the largest television market in the country now has two contending football teams. If you enjoyed the Yankees and the Red Sox, you're going to love the Jets and the Patriots.

    The NFL is the only corporation that has its own television network and has the ability to hype its product seven days a week / 24hrs a day. As the new season approaches, there is little other coverage on the NFL network. Stories about teams for the coming season are scarce. It has been Brett Favre seven days a week / 24 hrs a day. Hyping the Brett Farve story won't hurt the NFL's ability to negotiate network contracts in the future. This is one of the best things to happen to the NFL since Budweiser and beer advertising. Goodell is a marketing guy. Perhaps Brett's retirement was accidentally caused by the bumbling boobs that run the Green Bay Packer's organization. They failed to make Brett Favre feel welcome. Do you remember Ken Stabler beating the Chargers by fumbling the football and Dave Casper rolling it into the end zone for a touchdown? This time Green Bay fumbled and Goodell scored a touch down worth millions. There sat a Superbowl quarterback by his telephone in Gulfport, Louisiana with nothing to do. A phone call here and a phone call there and it all comes down to Roger Goodell and the NFL owners being the biggest winners in the Brett Favre melodrama. The rivalry will be the biggest thing since World War II - Favre and the Jets vs. Brady and the Patriots. The New York sportswriters are typing already, and the publishers of the New York Times, New York Post, and the Boston Globe retired for the evening with dollar signs in their eyes. I smell a bonus for the commissioner baby! I'll bet Goodell is smoking a big 'ol stogy right now.

  • August 7, 2008

    3:49 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mdpaulus writes:

    If this whole controversy was about some second-rate, career quarterback, then I am behind Green Bay's plan 100%. -But this is BRETT FAVRE we're talking about! Yeah, it's lame he changed his mind and made things difficult for the organization. Yeah, it's tough on the coaches, players and even the fans. Yeah, poor Aaron Rodgers is feeling the pressure, too. -But this is BRETT FAVRE people! He is one of the best QBs to ever play the game, never misses a start, has a SB ring and a million other accolades. -And the best part: He had one of his best seasons EVER last year when they missed the Superbowl because of one measly interception in overtime.

    I had to take a step back and ponder the stupidity, ignorance, arrogance and gullibility of the Packers organization in not making him the starter for yet another year. They are absolute idiots. Again, if Favre wasn't as good as he used to be, always getting hurt, or did not have a passion for the game, then Green Bay would be totally justified in betting it all on a kid (Rodgers) who has yet to prove himself in any capacity. -But once again: THIS IS BRETT FAVRE, PEOPLE! I assure you: If Mike McCarthy, Rodgers and the Packers can't win this year, then the Packers (not Favre) will be sent packing. I feel so sorry for the fans who have to watch their hero move to New York and play in the AFC.

    The Green Bay Packers just made the dumbest move in NFL history. Un-freakin'-believable.

  • August 7, 2008

    4:08 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    bronco4428 writes:

    BRETT FARE HASNT BEEN TO A SUPERBOWL IN 11 YRS...THERE WAS A REASON THE PACKERS DIDNT WANT HIM LETS GET REAL... IF IT MEANT THEY WERE GONNA GO BACK TO THE SUPER BOWL YOU PEOPLE DONT THINK THE PACKERS WOULD KEEP HIM ?? CMON....HES 39 YRS OLD GOIN TO A NEW TEAM LEARNING A DIFF SYSTEM....THE JETS ARE NOT GOIN ANYWHERE NEAR THE SUPERBOWL....HE WAS IN THE NFC AND DIDNT GET THERE SINCE 97...AND IF THE BRONCOS HAD MANAGED TO GET BY THE JAGUARS IN 96 HE WOULDNT HAVE WON THE BOWL THAT YEAR EITHER....THESE QBS DONT PAN OUT AT THIS AGE SWITCHING TEAMS.....SO THE JETS WIN AN EXTRA 3 GAMES THAT MAKES THEM 7-9

  • August 7, 2008

    6:46 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    dilligaf writes:

    Boy did Green Bay get the last laugh on this one. Heck Brett you could have stayed home playing with that high school and had more success then you will with the Jets.

  • August 7, 2008

    6:54 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    kmeissner writes:

    Who cares? Just please stop talking about this guy 24/7! Also I hope the Broncos STOMP them when we see them later this year! Go Broncos! Jets will be 7-9 if they are lucky

  • August 7, 2008

    7:46 a.m.

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    denverone writes:

    When you cry at your retirement ceremony, then you can't come out of retirement. Them's the rules.
    I was disgusted by the way he balled his eyes out, and I am more disgusted now. I had so much respect for this guy, but he became arrogant and hard to deal with the last couple years, you could see it in all his interviews. He whined so long on Gretta the other day, I thought he had had a sex change. Grow a new pair Brett. Your going to look ridiculous in a Jets uniform, even though I knew they would be the team that pick you up.

  • August 7, 2008

    7:56 a.m.

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    dilligaf writes:

    kmeissner
    You must care. You opened this story and blogged. I would suggest that if you are tired of hearing about this DON'T OPEN IT. But yes I hope we do stomp them too.

  • August 7, 2008

    7:59 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ClarenceDarrow writes:

    kwik wrote "The NFL is the only corporation that has its own television network and has the ability to hype its product seven days a week / 24hrs a day."

    You're joking, right? Virtually ALL television networks are owned by corporations! And the NFL isn't the only athletic organization to have its own network. The NHL, the Big 10, and the SEC each have one too.

  • August 7, 2008

    9:24 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    arvada_mark writes:

    He's never been better than John. When you throw the ball 45 times a game, you are bound to eventually set some records. And how lame has the division he's played in been? My god. I think even Steve DeBerg could have won 100 games in that division. Throw on top of that he is now a certified cry-baby, a laughing stock, the butt of my jokes; I will have fun watching him get pounded (I still won't root for the Patsies, though)...oh, & of coarse intercepted as he does so often.

  • August 7, 2008

    9:32 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    arvada_mark writes:

    Oh and Kwik, I will never enjoy the Jets vs. Patsies. They are both the epitomy of what I hate about the media's East Coast bias. I root against them every week. I do suppose you're right on one accord though, I do get the same enjoyment watching the Yanks/Su_x games, which is absolutely zero. This is Broncos Country, son, the only reason we care about that game is because somebody had to lose (I know, but when was the last time there was a tie).

  • August 7, 2008

    9:38 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    lencho_elias writes:

    I can understand being a lil confused, annoyed, upset, whatever but I can't understand not letting a guy compete. Its simple: if he shows Rodgers up in camp he should get the job- despite how old, how many times hes retired, whatever...

    I think the Packers front office had their mind set on Rodgers becuase he was their draft choice. As far as I understand, he's been inconsistent at best in camp.

  • August 7, 2008

    10:55 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    anthony1979 writes:

    It will be sad to see Brett get carted off the field because of how horrible the Jets O-line is and how old he is...that's not the way to go out...retire...again...

  • August 7, 2008

    10:56 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    MarcoPolo writes:

    This is all too funny. Whaddya bet Brett will retire again before the start of the season?

  • August 7, 2008

    11:13 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    maverick7 writes:

    Hey lets see how he does against our revamped D...The Broncs play the Jets in NYC (Jersey really), anyway maybe the Boss or Elvis can send him home to Miss. Maybe Champ can pick a few off, Dre has a chip on his shoulder from last year as well.

  • August 7, 2008

    3:33 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    RockyMts69 writes:

    Brett Favre has a new reality show on the E channel. It comes on right after the Denise Richards show...It's called Brett Favre 'It's REALLY Complicated'

  • August 7, 2008

    3:37 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    DeadMeat writes:

    I can't believe anyone is whining about Favre fighting for his opportunity to play. If any of you had been in a similar circumstance and felt you had something to contribute, but were being denied that opportunity, I'm sure you'ld be crying to anyone that would listen.

    I'm glad for Favre. Let him play for better, or worse. When he is finally inducted into Canton, few will bother to remember this phase of his career (unless he wins a Superbowl...:)

    Elway choose to retire even though he had the talent to lead a couple more seasons. That was the right decision for him. Montana choose to relocate and proved he had the talent to compete by almost taking the Chiefs to the big game. that was the right decision for him. Marino, Kelly and Aikman (in my opinion) played until they became more of a hindrance than an asset, but that was their right to choose.

    Who are any of us to set limits on them? Clearly most of these guys aren't playing for a paycheck. Either the market, or their bodies will ultimately determine their retirement.

    What Thompson and his Boy McCarthy were doing was trying to force Favre to pasture...piss on them....:) Even with his history, age and cap penalty, once he was allowed to roam, there were takers. GB is just lucky they held his contract rights, or the Packers would've been served...I've no doubt the Vikings could be the NFC champion with a better QB.

    That's my opinion and I'll stick with it.

  • August 7, 2008

    4:52 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Squatch writes:

    I like Favre but hate the friggin jets and their dumb fan chants.

    J E T S jets jets jets.

    I hope Farve well and blame him and the Packers for this pointless drama. Asking a guy to tell you if he is retiring a month after the Superbowl is a joke. They should have giving him a little more time to think it over. Go ask a boxer if he wants to fight again after getting his head punched in and knocked out.

    Dont forget the Jets just dumped quite a bit of cash in their offensive line so he should be well protected. His better option would have been the Vikings but the Packers werent going to do it.

  • August 7, 2008

    10:38 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    6_is_the_new_7 writes:

    Favre's the man! The consecutive starts stat is unbelievable. That alone has put him in the record books for so many other catagories. He's not the best ever(John), but is one of the best. You have to love his zest for the game and his never die attitude. If his body still allows him to play more power to him. I'm glad he found someone who wanted him. Best of luck to him, except when he plays the Broncos.