The Brett Favre era in Green Bay is all but over. As pointed out yesterday the Packers and Buccaneers are working on a trade. At one point it appeared that it could have been completed as early as today.
The Brett Favre saga could end with the NFL icon in pewter.
The Tribune has learned Favre will not stand in the way of a trade from Green Bay to Tampa Bay and the deal is likely to be finalized within 24 hours.
The chances of the trade unraveling are remote and Favre has indicated to the Bucs directly that he is willing to change teams after 16 years of growing his legend in Green Bay.
The Packers, unwilling to deal the 3-time league MVP to an NFC North rival, view the Bucs as a compromise in this ugly impasse. The Bucs view Favre as an upgrade on QB Jeff Garcia, who made the Pro Bowl in 2007 while leading Tampa Bay to an NFC South title.
Once it became clear to Favre that he wasn’t welcome back in Green Bay, he became more flexible in terms of accepting a trade to clubs outside the division. The Bucs have been interested in Favre since last month, when he announced he wanted to play again.
All that was left were compensation details …
The Journal Sentinel, through league sources, learned that Favre did give his blessing to a trade to Tampa Bay directly. However, a deal between the Packers and Buccaneers has not been finalized. The teams still have to agree on compensation, which could prove to be a sticking point today.
… until the New York Jets re-entered the picture, starting an ongoing “bidding war” for the services of one Brett Favre, who has returned to Hattiesburg, MS.
ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio is reporting the New York Jets have offered a fourth-round pick in 2009 that has the potential to turn into a second-round choice if certain performance standards are met by Favre and the team.
Paolantonio also reports the Packers have told Bucs General Manager Bruce Allen that Green Bay would accept a third-round pick in 2009 that could turn into a second-round pick along with reserve quarterback Brian Griese.
Upon arrival he spoke to local media.
Quarterback Brett Favre told the Hattiesburg (Miss.) American that he could see no other option than for him to part ways with the Green Bay Packers.
Favre made his comments after his flight landed from Green Bay to his offseason residence this afternoon.
“I know people say ‘You need to put the personal issues aside.’ And I agree, but I couldn’t do that,” Favre told the paper.
Favre went on to say he couldn’t see the two sides working it out and came to the conclusion that if he wanted to play, it would have to be elsewhere.
“They obviously had taken the stance that at some point in the offseason that they were going to move on, and that’s OK,” Favre told the American. “But they sort of changed that stance a little bit when I got back up there. We sort of figured that would happen. Otherwise, they would have released me. They didn’t want to do that, which I don’t blame them, but, you know, I really didn’t see, as much history as I’ve had in Green Bay and success, I really didn’t see the positives that could come out of it. I felt like it was always going to be a distraction. It’s best that they had a clear cut path that they were going to go on. And if I’m going to play, try to play elsewhere, and see what happens.”
And with that a great 16 year career with the Packers has ended as both sides have decided to move on without the other thanks to missteps by both sides in the handling of this since March.
