Jet Favre: New York Jets Land Brett Favre In Trade

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The Packers and Brett Favre agreed to a trade that sends the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback to the New York Jets for a conditional fourth round draft pick. The agreement was first reported by Fox Sports on its website.

The move ends a ugly split between Green Bay and one of its most beloved players. Packers management had been weighing its trade options since deciding earlier this week that they could no longer coexist with Favre. The Packers now move forward with new starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers and gives Favre a fresh start in the Big Apple.

Green Bay Packers officials released a statement:

"It is with some sadness that we make this announcement, but also with the desire for certainty that will allow us to move the team and organization forward in the most positive way possible."

The 38-year-old Favre holds most major NFL passing records The Jets play in the shadow of the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. Ironically Favre and the Packers lost to the Giants in the NFC Championship game last season and Favre threw what would prove to be the decisive interception in overtime. He now will share a stadium with the defending NFL Champions.

The trade provides a huge marketing bonanza for the Jets. Favre's new No. 4 Jets jersey already was for sale on the team's website about an hour after the trade was announced.

Jets chairman and CEO Woody Johnson issued a statement early Thursday.

"I am looking forward to seeing Brett Favre in a New York Jets uniform. He represents a significant addition to this franchise, and reflects our commitment to putting the best possible team on the field."

Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum added during a conference call early Thursday morning:

"We just felt like this was an opportunity to go get somebody of Brett's stature and what he's accomplished. We felt it was in the best interest of the team and when the opportunity presented itself, we felt it was the right move for us to make and we went ahead and did it."

The arrival of Favre effectively ends the tenure of Chad Pennington with the Jets.
The Jets opened training camp with an open competition between Pennington and Kellen Clemens after neither established themselves during a 4-12 season.

According to Tannenbaum:

Pennington would be traded or released Thursday.

At age 38, Favre’s trade brings the Jets a quarterback they have long coveted. According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen:

“In what is a well known story, way back in 1991 the Jets had Brett first on their draft board out of Southern Mississippi. However the Jets did not have a first round pick after using it in the NFL’s supplemental draft. The Jets targeted him for the second-round, but the Atlanta Falcons, picking one slot ahead of New York chose Favre and the Jets chose (Louisville quarterback) Browning Nagle."

Green Bay will receive a conditional fourth round draft pick for Favre. The pick has the potential of becoming a first round pick if the Jets make the Super Bowl.

Farvre becomes the most high profile quarteback the Jets have had since Joe Namath. Could he possibly be known as Broadway Brett? Time will tell.