Anatomy of the Packers-Jets Brett Favre deal

By Bob McGinn | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel • Published August 07, 2008

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GREEN BAY, Wis. — General manager Ted Thompson, coach Mike McCarthy and team President Mark Murphy said all the right things Thursday, about 20 hours after consummating the Green Bay Packers’ historic trade of quarterback Brett Favre to the New York Jets for a conditional fourth-round draft choice.

Left unsaid was the feeling of relief and euphoria at club headquarters about being able to solve the Favre crisis with a month remaining before the regular season and gain more attractive compensation than club officials deemed possible less than a week ago.

"We felt like this was the best thing for us," Thompson said at the three-man news conference that lasted 40 minutes. "And we thought it was a good thing for him."

By Wednesday afternoon, the Packers were talking compensation with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Jets.

A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel source said the Buccaneers’ offer consisted of Chris Simms, one of four veteran quarterbacks on their roster, and a fourth-round draft choice in 2010 that would be awarded only if Favre also played in 2009.

According to ESPN, the Packers told the Buccaneers they would accept a third-round pick that could upgrade to a second plus quarterback Brian Griese. Bruce Allen, Tampa Bay’s general manager, denied that Griese’s name was discussed with Green Bay.

The Jets, however, blew the Buccaneers out of the water with an offer that Green Bay readily accepted.

Quarterback Chad Pennington, who ended up being released Thursday, didn’t interest the Packers and wasn’t part of the discussions.

According to the NFL Network’s Adam Schefter, who has an office at NFL headquarters in New York, the fourth-round pick from the Jets will become a third-round pick if Favre plays at least 50 percent of the offensive snaps.

If Favre plays 70 percent or more and the Jets make the playoffs, the pick would improve to the second round.

And, if Favre plays 80 percent or more, the Jets make the Super Bowl and Favre plays at least 50 percent in one playoff game, it would be a first-round selection.