Thursday, August 7, 2008

Packers to trade Favre to Jets

The Green Bay Packers have reached an agreement to trade quarterback Brett Favre to the New York Jets.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the Packers will receive an undetermined draft pick based on Favre's performance. Sports Illustrated reports the pick will be between a first-round and a third-round pick; the NFL Network reports the pick will be between a first-round and a fourth-round pick. The two teams agreed to the trade Wednesday night.

Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy and Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson issued the following joint statement:

“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. 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.

“We respect Brett’s decision that he could no longer remain here as a Packer. But there were certain things we were not willing to do because they were not in the best interest of the team. We were not going to release him nor trade him to a team within the division. When Brett ultimately decided that he still wanted to play football, but not in Green Bay, we told him that we would work to find the best solution for all parties involved. We wish Brett and his family well.

“We appreciate the tremendous passion shown by our fans. We, like them, always will see Brett Favre as a Green Bay Packer and our respect for him never will change. Moving forward, we are dedicated to delivering a successful 2008 season for all Packers fans.”

Favre leaves Green Bay as the NFL’s all-time leader in most major passing categories — touchdowns (442), yards (61,655), completions (5,377) and attempts (8,758) — and his 253-game starting streak intact. By playing 16 seasons in a Packers uniform (1992–2007), he matches Bart Starr (1956–71) for the longest tenure in team history among his 30 team records.

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