The last place Brett Favre wanted to be was with the New York Jets, but that's where he finds himself today.
After flexing his muscles and testing the will of the Packers' organization, Favre agreed to a trade with the Jets after hoping to stay with the Packers or go to the Vikings or Bucs. Throughout most of his career, Favre lived the life of a player who thought of going to Super Bowls. By going to the Jets, he can only think of wild-card playoffs.
Favre alone isn't going to cut the gap between the Jets and the New England Patriots. The Patriots have Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Bill Belichick, a great team and the easiest schedule in the league. Favre only has the satisfaction that he's out of Green Bay.
Given that reality, this trade is a thumbs down.
Jets fans have to be excited because now they no longer have to worry about Chad Pennington's weak arm or the potential and inconsistencies of Kellen Clemens. Favre comes to down with the potential of a 4,000-yard season and better than a 63 percent throwing accuracy.
But if heart wasn't into competing against Aaron Rodgers for his starting job in Green Bay, how is he going to be playing second fiddle to Brady in the AFC East? Mike McCarthy had it right on Tuesday. He said Favre was in a tough place.
To come out of retirement and have only thoughts of a wild-card has to be disappointing to Favre. True, he tested the will of the Packers' organization and lost. He thought he was big enough to get his release. He wasn't. He thought he could force a trade to the Vikings. He couldn't.
Tired and mentally exhausted from his Green Bay visit, he agreed to listen to going to Tampa Bay or the Jets. He preferred the Vikings. The Packers said no and traded him out of the conference.
The Packers beat down their icon. They've moved on to Aaron Rodgers. Favre only agreed to the trade because he knew it was time to get in camp and train for the regular season.
Going to the Jets is a downer to him, a thumbs downer.
