National Football League

Favre felt 'bothered' by Green Bay's decision to trade him

Published Jul. 7, 2015 1:01 p.m. ET

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When Brett Favre announced his retirement in March 2008, the Green Bay Packers turned to a first-round pick, Aaron Rodgers, who had been waiting in the wings for three years.

Four months later, however, Favre began seeking a return to the franchise with which he won a Super Bowl. But Green Bay wanted to give Rodgers a shot, and Favre’s tenure with the Packers officially ended in August when the team shipped him to the New York Jets.

According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Favre wanted to be released or traded within the NFC North, but Green Bay refused.

Demovsky notes Favre said he felt bothered that the Packers didn’t want him but didn’t want to see him on the opposite side of the field, either:

“I felt like I wasn’t good enough to play there but was good enough to not play against them, and that bothered me.”

Favre’s reaction is perfectly justified, though Green Bay was in a difficult spot because Rodgers took possession of the starting gig subsequent to Favre’s four-month absence.

Ripping that job away from Rodgers wouldn’t have been fair, and perhaps the young quarterback might’ve demanded a trade following that moment. And then, maybe the Packers don’t win Super Bowl XLV since they wouldn’t have had Rodgers leading the way.

Nevertheless, after spending one year with the Jets, Favre joined an NFC North rival in the Minnesota Vikings. He spent two seasons on the Vikings, who swept Green Bay in 2009 but lost to Favre’s former team twice in 2010.

According to Demovsky, Favre said his relationship with head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson has been mended.

Favre will be inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame on July 18, and his jersey will be retired at Lambeau Field on Thanksgiving night.

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