Favre to retire (again)

Brett Favre did everyone, including himself, a favor, and said he is retiring. The Jets didn’t want him back – especially at $13 million. If Favre had stayed, NY would have been in the uncomfortable spot of either getting Favre to reduce his salary – or letting him go. By announcing things now, Favre allows the Jets to prepare for next season – something that always drove the Packers up the wall – waiting around wondering when/if Brett was coming back. Favre is one of the all-time greats – but even the great ones have to hang up their cleats. His NY affair will barely be remembered in the coming years – just like most fans barely remember Joe Montanta in KC, or Johnny U in San Diego, or Broadway Joe in LA.

Without the tearful public ceremony that accompanied his retirement announcement from the Green Bay Packers just 11 months ago, quarterback Brett Favre has instructed agent Bus Cook to inform the New York Jets Wednesday that he plans to retire. In an e-mail to ESPN’s Ed Werder, Favre indicated he had no regrets about finishing his career with the Jets rather than with the Green Bay Packers franchise he represented for his previous 16 NFL seasons. He specifically praised Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, team owner Woody Johnson and fired coach Eric Mangini — and even mentioned Thomas Jones and Kerry Rhodes, both of whom were publicly critical of Favre after the team’s collapse in the final month of the season prevented the Jets from making the playoffs. – From ESPN

There will be no months of speculation or tearful press conferences – Brett Favre has told his agent to the tell the Jets he plans to retire today. Favre e-mailed ESPN with his intentions and said he did not regret ending his career with the Jets, instead of the Packers. – From NY Post