By Chris Jenkins
Associated Press
GREEN BAY, Wis. ó Brett Favreís journey from retirement and back has finally ended ó in New York.
The Green Bay Packers reached an agreement Wednesday night to trade their three-time MVP and Super Bowl-winning quarterback to the New York Jets, ending an emotionally grinding month of indecision over Favreís future.
The move ends a remarkably ugly split between Green Bay and one of its most beloved players, allows the Packers to move forward with new starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers and gives Favre a fresh start ó although not exactly the one he wanted, as Favreís first choice was widely believed to be the Minnesota Vikings.
Terms of the trade werenít immediately available.
iIt 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,î Green Bay officials said in a statement.
Jets chairman and CEO Woody Johnson issued a statement early Thursday.
iI am looking forward to seeing Brett Favre in a New York Jets uniform,î Johnson said. iHe represents a significant addition to this franchise, and reflects our commitment to putting the best possible team on the field.î
Green Bay had been talking with the Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers since deciding earlier this week that they could no longer coexist with Favre.
The Packers decided to move forward with Rodgers as their starer after Favre announced his retirement in March. Given their commitment to Rodgers, team officials werenít particularly receptive when Favre decided just over a month ago that he might want to play after all ó the latest development in several yearsí worth of flip-flopping about his football future.
The agreement was first reported by Fox Sports on its Web site.
iWe just felt like this was an opportunity to go get somebody of Brettís stature and what heís accomplished,î Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said during a conference call early Thursday morning. iWe 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.î
A number of fans made it clear throughout training camp that they wanted Favre on the Jets with signs and iGet Brett!î chants. Favreís new No. 4 Jets jersey already was for sale on the teamís Web site about an hour after the trade was announced.
Tannenbaum, who said he had a igoodî conversation with Favre, wouldnít speculate whether the quarterback will play in New York beyond this season.
iWe had discussions with him and his agent, Bus Cook,î Tannenbaum said, iand weíre going into this and weíre going to take this one year at a time and weíre excited to have Brett on the team this year.î
The arrival of Favre signals the end of Chad Penningtonís career with the Jets. Tannenbaum said there would be another transaction regarding Pennington, who spent his first eight seasons with the Jets.
iItís a bittersweet moment for us,î Tannenbaum said. iI have all the respect in the world for Chad as a person, as a player. Weíve accomplished a lot of good things with Chad … He gave his heart and soul to this organization for a long, long time. I really appreciate everything heís done.î
Favre left Green Bay on Wednesday, boarding a private plane that left for Hattiesburg, Miss. at 1:25 p.m. EDT with his wife, Deanna, and Cook. Favreís family home is near Hattiesburg.
In Mississippi, Favre confirmed that he was considering the Jets and Buccaneers.
iWeíre working on it,î Favre told Jackson TV station WJTV. iHopefully, we can get something resolved. Iíve been saying that for quite a while now. I donít want to say weíre running out of time, but I need to get into a camp somewhere.î
The 38-year-old Favre holds most major NFL passing records and led the Packers to the NFC Championship last season, where they lost to the New York Giants. Favre threw what would prove to be the decisive interception in overtime.
The Jets went into training camp with an open competition between Pennington and Kellen Clemens after neither established themselves during a 4-12 season. Pennington was 1-7 as the starter and was benched midway through the season. Clemens went 3-5, but Pennington actually had the better season statistically.
After some hope for reconciliation between Favre and the Packers earlier this week, the final split became obvious Tuesday evening.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy told reporters on Tuesday that after approximately six hours of what he called ibrutally honestî conversations over two days, the coach had determined that Favre doesnít have the right mind-set to play for the Packers.
McCarthy said Favre couldnít seem to get past emotional wounds that were opened as tensions mounted in recent weeks ó even with the chance to win his starting job back potentially on the table.
iThe train has left the station, whatever analogy you want,î McCarthy said Tuesday. iHe needs to jump on the train and letís go. Or, if we canít get past things that have happened, I have to keep the train moving.î
McCarthy said Wednesday he was happy the rest of his players were getting a chance to move forward.
iWe talked about it last night,î McCarthy said. iThe players want resolution, they want what everybody wants. To come out here every day and talk about somebody that is not here and then shows up, itís gone on too long, and understandably so. They want to play football.î
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AP Sports Writers Dennis Waszak Jr. in New York and Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed to this report.