Saga over as Favre traded to NY Jets

Source: Agencies  |   2008-8-8  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

GREEN Bay has agreed to trade veteran quarterback Brett Favre to the New York Jets, the Packers confirmed on their Website late on Wednesday.

The announcement of the deal brings an end to a drawn-out tussle between Favre and the team he served for 16 seasons over his playing status after the 38-year-old made a bid to return to action after announcing his retirement in March.

The National Football League reported that in exchange for Favre, the Packers will receive a conditional fourth-round pick at a future draft, rising to the prospect of a first-rounder depending on the amount of games the quarterback plays.

"Brett has had a long and storied career in Green Bay, and the Packers owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for everything he accomplished on the field and for the impact he made in the state," Green Bay said in 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 NFL's all-time leader in touchdown passes (442) and passing yards (61,655), Favre walked away from the sport at the end of last season after leading Green Bay to a 13-3 record and the NFC title game. However, he had a change of heart.

The Packers had previously offered Favre a 10-year marketing deal worth more than US$20 million to remain in retirement but the three-time league MVP opted to re-launch his career and was reinstated by the NFL on Monday. He arrived at Packers camp this week but returned home to Mississippi.

The Jets, who finished 4-12 last season, have quarterbacks Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens on their roster.