Brett Favre Traded to Jets: What It Means

The Brett Favre soap opera -- at least the question of whom he'll suit up for in 2008 -- is officially over.

Legends in Strange Uniforms

Brett Favre is handing in one green jersey for another after with his trade from the Packers to the Jets. He certainly won't be the first icon to don a strange-looking uniform late in his career.

Mike Roemer, AP

The Jets' first legendary quarterback, Joe Namath, seemed like a perfect match with the glitz of Hollywood. Unfortunately for the Rams, Joe's knees were shot when he moved to La-La Land in 1977. Namath only played in four games before calling it a career.

Allsport / Getty Images

Being a part-owner of the Wizards wasn't enough for Michael Jordan. When his competitive juices would not stop flowing, he suited up with Washington and played two good, but far from great, seasons.

Jesse D. Garrabrant, NBAE / Getty Images

After a long stint with the Giants in San Francisco, Willie Mays came back to New York in 1972. But this wasn't what any fan wanted. He produced little for the Mets and left many thinking he had stayed around too long.

After retiring from the Red Wings, Gordie Howe returned to the ice for seven more seasons, the last three with the Hartford Whalers. He was 52 when he finally hung up his skates.

Denis Brodeur, Getty Images

Babe Ruth is synonymous with the Yankees. Even their stadium is called "The House That Ruth Built." So it still comes as a shock to see the Bambino donning a Boston Braves uni in 1935 as his career ended with a whimper.

Not every team switch by an icon has a sad ending. Joe Montana enjoyed two productive seasons with the Chiefs after leaving the 49ers and almost took K.C. to the Super Bowl in 1993.

Vince Bucci, AFP / Getty Images

Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's record as an Atlanta Brave, but he returned to the franchise's former home in Milwaukee for his last two years of his career in 1975 and 1976.

Focus on Sport / Getty Images

Jerry Rice won three Super Bowls and became a legend at his position with the 49ers, but Rice finished out his NFL career with the Raiders and Seahawks.

Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images

Wade Boggs won batting titles with the Red Sox, and a World Series ring with the Yankees. However, his Hall of Fame career ended in the relative obscurity of being a member of the expansion Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1998 and 1999.

Peter Muhly, AFP / Getty Images

The New York Jets have given an unknown quantity to the Pack for number four. As Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reports:

The exact compensation was not immediately known, but it is believed to be a single draft pick that increases in value depending upon how the Jets perform during the 2008 season.

How's that for a curve ball? All day we thought it was a done deal that Favre was headed to Tampa Bay, and only a few days ago there was talk of a competition at QB in Packers camp. The Jets were always in the discussion, but it was reported that it was not a desirable destination for Favre.

There are some of the opinion that Favre craves media attention. We'll check that litmus test in the mightiest of media markets this season. No one can be more brutal, especially when it comes to giving games away via the turnover, than New Yorkers. If Favre pulls a repeat of the '07 NFC Championship Game, cue the orchestra known as the New York media and talk show callers.

Jets implications:
Kellen Clemens can't answer his question marks thus far in camp by continuing to throw the ball to the other team, and Chad Pennington still just can't coax the ball downfield. Favre will stretch the field with quality receivers in Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery. The offensive line is much improved with the additions of Damien Woody and perennial pro-bowler Alan Faneca. They'll help mold youngsters Nick Mangold and D'Brickashaw Ferguson, and the line will keep Favre safe while clearing running lanes in Thomas Jones' bounce-back campaign.

The bottom line is that this team just got exponentially better. The problem is that the Patriots still play in their division and the Bills are going to be a solid team this year as well ... not to mention there are many wild card worthy teams lingering in the superior AFC. A tough road to say the least, so a compelling '08 story line will be whether or not the Favre can lead the Jets back to the playoffs. If you hate coverage of him, like Troy Aikman apparently does, you better stop watching football.

Finally, either Clemens or Pennington is going to have to go. I'm guessing the Jets can find someone that will trade a sixth or seventh-round pick for Pennington. Hey, suckers are everywhere. Maybe Herm Edwards in KC will want Chad back on his squad that plays to win the game?

Brett Favre Photos

ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 16: (FILE PHOTO) Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers laughs while on the sideline against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome December 16, 2007 in St. Louis, Missouri. It was reported that quarterback Brett Favre was traded to the New York Jets on August 6, 2008. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Favre

Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 12: (FILE PHOTO) Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers throws the ball in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC divisional playoff game on January 12, 2008 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It was reported that quarterback Brett Favre was traded to the New York Jets on August 6, 2008. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Favre

Getty Images

PHOENIX - JANUARY 30: (FILE PHOTO) Quarterback Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers accepts the FedEx NFL Air Award during the FedEx NFL Air and Ground Player of the Year news conference prior to Super Bowl XLII at the Phoenix Convention Center on January 30, 2008 in Phoenix, Arizona. It was reported that quarterback Brett Favre was traded to the New York Jets on August 6, 2008. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Favre

Getty Images

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre says good bye to friends Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008 as he boards a plane in Green Bay, Wis., to go back to his home in Hattiesburg, Miss. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre says good bye to friend Dave Thomason, Wednesday Aug. 6, 2008 as he boards a plane in Green Bay, Wis. to go back to his home in Hattiesburg, Miss. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre listens to friend Dave Thomason on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008 as he boards a plane in Green Bay, Wis., to go back to his home in Hattiesburg, Miss. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Deanna Favre, wife of former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, prepares to board a charter jet at Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay, Wisconsin August 6, 2008. Favre's fears that the Green Bay Packers were reluctant to take him back intensified on Tuesday when team coach Mike McCarthy opened the way for a possible trade by questioning the quarterback's 'mindset'. REUTERS/Allen Fredrickson (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre hugs a friend before boarding a charter jet at Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay, Wisconsin August 6, 2008. Favre's fears that the Green Bay Packers were reluctant to take him back intensified on Tuesday when team coach Mike McCarthy opened the way for a possible trade by questioning the quarterback's 'mindset'. REUTERS/Allen Fredrickson (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre prepares to depart at Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay, Wisconsin August 6, 2008. Favre's fears that the Green Bay Packers were reluctant to take him back intensified on Tuesday when team coach Mike McCarthy opened the way for a possible trade by questioning the quarterback's 'mindset'. REUTERS/Allen Fredrickson (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Packers implications:
They can attempt to wash their hands of this fiasco. They clearly wanted Favre out of town, and they got their wish. Aaron Rodgers can safely move forward with his job, and the distraction should eventually extricate itself from camp. Ryan Grant recently ended his holdout, so at least the players should feel like a giant weight has been lifted from their collective chests. The media circus around the team is another matter, but if they are mentally tough enough they can rise above. If anything, this is a good time to start playing the "us against the world" card. You've got fans bailing on you because they love one person so much. Motivation in football is good locker room stuff. It breeds togetherness and chemistry when you can bind together for a common cause.

Packers fans who think your team is in trouble, think again.

Look at the defense with Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk. Look at the young, offensive nucleus with Grant, Brandon Jackson, Greg Jennings, and Rodgers ... not to mention the veteran presence of Donald Driver on the outside. Then realize that one person is never bigger than a legendary franchise. This team is in very good shape moving forward. I'm sure it's difficult, but I'd love to ask the Packers fans who are throwing in the towel: are you a Brett Favre fan, or a Packers fan?

On the surface, everybody wins in this deal.

Somehow, I don't think many Packers fans agree ... but they should.