By Matt Sohn
Aug. 7, 2008

Brett Favre

Updated at 2:01 EDT, Friday, Aug. 8

Brett Favre's a New York Jet. Words that would've induced smirks of incredulity a few months ago are now a reality. After weeks of speculation as to his destination, the Packers struck a deal to trade the future Hall of Fame quarterback to New York in return for a conditional fourth-round draft pick. According to NFL Network, the fourth-rounder becomes a third-rounder if Favre takes 50 percent of the snaps this season. If he takes 70 percent of the snaps and the Jets make the playoffs, the compensation becomes a second-rounder. If he takes 80 percent of the snaps and leads the Jets to the Super Bowl, the Packers will receive the Jets' first-round selection.

The trade reportedly contained a “poison pill” clause that stated the Packers will receive three first-round picks if the Jets traded Favre to an NFC North rival.

The Jets and Buccaneers were the two teams that had been expressing the most interest in obtaining Favre, and the Jets' offer reportedly trumped what the Bucs were willing to part with.

The PFW spin

With the relatively modest draft-pick compensation the Jets had to cough up, this deal made too much sense for the club not to execute it. Quarterback loomed as the biggest question mark on a Jets team fixated on making a return to the playoffs after last season's disastrous 4-12 campaign, and the acquisition of Favre substantially upgrades the position and team.

Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens have been jockeying for the starting QB job throughout camp, with the more seasoned Pennington holding a slight edge. But both have been underwhelming, and there was legitimate fear that shoddy QB play could ultimately keep the team from reaching the postseason.

Throughout the offseason, coach Eric Mangini and GM Mike Tannenbaum — the two men responsible for making the Jets' player personnel decisions — have coaxed owner Woody Johnson into shelling out hoards of money to sign a host of talented, yet questionable veterans. Although there's little doubt that players such as OG Alan Faneca, OT Damien Woody, OLB Calvin Pace, NT Kris Jenkins and FB Tony Richardson are upgrades from the players they're replacing, the league-wide consensus that the team overpaid for every one of them calls into question Manigni's and Tannenbaum's motivation. With the exception of Pace (whose breakout 2007 season stands as the only quality campaign of his career), all are past their prime.

Some have speculated that the decision-making duo have jeopardized the long-term future of the club in favor of winning at all costs in 2008. The theory is that the Jets need to post a winning season in '08 for Mangini and Tannenbaum to salvage their jobs.

Favre, who turns 39 in early October, fits the mold. Due to make $12.9 million this season, Favre's a highly paid veteran whose best days are behind him. However, given his stunning play in '07, when he finished second to the Patriots' Tom Brady in the MVP voting, he has shown he still has the goods to be a quality No. 1 passer in the NFL. And considering the Jets had already set in motion their plans for doing whatever it takes to win right now, parting with a single draft pick for Favre was a necessary and prudent play.

Less than 24 hours after the trade was finalized, the Jets cut Pennington in an anticipated move. The Vikings, Chiefs and Dolphins could all be interested in acquiring him.