10 Things You Forgot About Brett Favre's Time With The New York Jets (2024)

Brett Favre is one of the most legendary quarterbacks in NFL history. The gunslinger began his career in Atlanta but was shipped out of town for pennies on the dollar to Green Bay. As a Packer, Favre became one of the most entertaining players in league history and led the team to the Super Bowl.

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He would finish out his career in 2010, after spending two seasons in Minnesota. While his stints as a Packer and a Viking are both memorable and legendary, his one-off year as a New York Jet isn't remembered at all. Let's take a look back at Favre's time in The Big Apple.

10 Brett Favre Was Traded To The Jets

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Following the 2007 NFL season, Brett Favre, who had teased retirement for years to this point, finally decided to hang up the cleats, allowing Aaron Rodgers to finally start for Green Bay. Plans were made for his number to be retired as a Packer, and he was going to be honored in the opening game of the season.

That retirement lasted for less than two months, as the quarterback stated he was forced into it. In August of 2008, he was traded to the New York Jets for a fourth-round pick. Interestingly enough, Favre nearly ended up playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the trade fell apart, and he headed to New York.

9 Favre Won His Debut

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Due to Brett Favre being traded right before the regular season started, there were questions if he would be ready for week one. That's not including the fact that he would have to shake off the rust of being retired.

Favre wound up starting in week one, facing off against the Miami Dolphins. Despite the lack of preparation time, the quarterback dominated and put up two touchdowns en route to an easy 20-14 win over the divisional rival.

8 He Nearly Tied The Record For Most Passing Touchdowns In A Game

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By week four, the New York Jets were chugging along with the steady hand of Brett Favre under center. While the gunslinger had played well to that point in the season, he decided to take out his frustrations from the offseason on the Arizona Cardinals.

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In the game against the Cardinals, the legendary quarterback dominated. Favre threw a personal-best six touchdowns in the game, one away from tying the NFL record for most passing scores in a single game.

7 The Jets Got Off To A Hot Start

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In the 2008 AFC East, the division was very competitive. The New England Patriots lost Tom Brady in week one but were playing well with Matt Cassel under center, and the Miami Dolphins were playing well with former Jet Chad Pennington at quarterback.

However, it was the New York Jets, with Brett Favre under center, who were leading the division for most of the season. By week 12, the team had an 8-3 record and seemed to be only getting better as the season went on.

6 Chad Pennington Got His Revenge

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Chad Pennington was the best example of a good, but not a great quarterback. If your quarterback was even slightly worse than him, you were probably looking to upgrade. In 2008, the New York Jets decided to replace Pennington in favor of the aging Favre.

The final game of the season was a showdown between Pennington and Favre. In the end, the Dolphins and the former Jet wound up getting their revenge, as they won 24-17.

5 The Jets Missed The Playoffs

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The biggest consequence of The New York Jets losing to the Miami Dolphins in the last game of the season is that it assured that they wouldn't win the division. To top it off, the team didn't make the wild card or the playoffs at all.

Despite starting the season 8-3, the New York Jets struggled down the stretch. They wound up finishing 9-7, which is a solid year on paper, but a terrible record considering the potential that the team had.

4 Favre Played Terribly As The Season Went On

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Despite tons of early success, Brett Favre played horrifically as the season went on. Despite the team and him clicking early, he reverted to his old ways and decided to play as a gunslinger at the absolute worse possible times.

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Favre wound up finishing the year with more turnovers than touchdowns. During the final five games of the season, the quarterback posted eight turnovers to just two touchdowns, yikes.

3 Favre Retired After The Season

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In the weeks following the season, Brett Favre reportedly met with the New York Jets coaching and management staff and stated that they should possibly look at new quarterback options for the following season. While not an official confirmation of retirement, the quarterback hinted at it.

Just a few weeks after that conversation, Favre filed for retirement once again. Two seasons after he decided to retire, the quarterback was released from his contract, allowing him to sign anywhere else if he pleases.

2 Favre Reportedly Played With An Injury

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While Brett Favre had worse seasons in the NFL, his one-off year with the New York Jets was one of the worst of his career. Following the season, fans got a good idea as to why he struggled so much, and why he had a severe sudden decline.

In the 11th game of the season, Favre suffered an arm injury, but decided to keep playing, and team didn't inform the league of the injury. Due to the team hiding the injury, they were fined $125,000 dollars.

1 Favre Unretired To Join The Minnesota Vikings

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Death, taxes, and Brett Favre unretiring to join a new team are the only things assured in life. In August 2009, the former MVP decided to sign with the Minnesota Vikings, feeling that they were the best destination for him to win a ring.

To his credit, Favre got very close that season, as he lost in overtime of the conference championship game to the future Super Bowl winner New Orleans Saints. He returned for one more injury plagued season in 2010, before deciding to call it quits. Thanks to his incredible seasons in Minnesota, his stint in New York is commonly forgotten.

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10 Things You Forgot About Brett Favre's Time With The New York Jets (2024)

FAQs

What happened to Brett Favre with the Jets? ›

Favre injured himself and his arm was shot for the rest of the season. Jets lost out and then Favre went to the team he originally wanted to be with (Vikings).

How many years was Brett Favre with the Jets? ›

Favre was traded in 2008 to the New York Jets, where he played one year, and spent his final two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.

What did the Jets give for Brett Favre? ›

The Packers traded Favre for a conditional fourth-round pick. The pick would turn into a third-rounder if Favre played 50% of snaps, a second-rounder if he played 70% of snaps, and a first-rounder if he played 80% of snaps and the Jets make the Super Bowl. However, Favre's tenure with the Jets didn't last long.

What ended Brett Favre's career? ›

Early in the second quarter on a short third down, Favre was sacked by Bears' defensive end Corey Wootton. The hard hit knocked him out of the game with a concussion and it wound up being Favre's final snap in the NFL as he missed the Vikings' last two games, retiring for good after the season.

Did Brett Favre get hurt when he played for the Jets? ›

The season unraveled in the final month, as the Jets lost four of their last five games, costing coach Eric Mangini his job. Favre played hurt (a torn biceps tendon), but the organization covered it up, resulting in $125,000 in fines for failing to disclose an injury.

Who replaced Brett Favre on the Jets? ›

He led the Jets to a 9-7 record, but they lost four of their final five as he tried to play through an arm injury and missed the playoffs. On Feb. 11, 2009, Favre retired. The Jets released him in April and drafted Mark Sanchez as his replacement.

What are some fun facts about Brett Favre? ›

12Brett Favre was named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. 13Brett Favre has his number retired by the Green Bay Packers. 14Brett Favre is the only player to win the NFL MVP award with multiple teams. 15Brett Favre has the most career touchdown passes in NFL history.

What records does Brett Favre still hold? ›

  • [1st] Most Passes Attempted, Career – 10,169.
  • [1st] Most Passes Completed, Career – 6,300.
  • [1st] Most Passing Yards, Career – 71,838.
  • [1st] Most Seasons, 3,000 or More Yards Passing – 18.
  • [1st] Most Touchdown Passes, Career – 508.
  • [1st] Most Games, Four or More Touchdown Passes, Career – 23.

How many games did Brett Favre miss? ›

A significant shoulder injury forced Favre to miss the 13th game of the 2010 season, ending his streak of 297 consecutive regular-season games started—a record for durability at his position—and he retired a third time at season's end.

Does Brett Favre have a ring? ›

Brett Favre won one Super Bowl championship.

How much did the Jets pay Brett Favre? ›

The contract with the New York Jets was worth a total of $28 million. He earned a total of nearly $140 million in salary over the span of two decades.

How many Super Bowls did Brett Favre go to? ›

Brett Favre played in 2 games in Super Bowls in his career.

How many interceptions did Brett Favre throw? ›

Brett Favre also owns the record for most career interceptions (336).

What QB did Brett Favre replace? ›

In 1992 he suffered an ankle injury against Cincinnati and was replaced by Brett Favre, who held the job for the next 16 years. Majkowski has since had nine surgeries on the same ankle. Through all the pain and rehab Majkowski never lost faith in himself.

What happened to Jets backup QB? ›

The Jets have already filled their backup QB spot behind Aaron Rodgers, signing free agent Tyrod Taylor to a two-year deal that could be worth up to $18 million. Taylor, a 13-year veteran, is expected to provide a far more reliable option if Rodgers can't play.

Why did Brett Favre leave the Falcons? ›

The general manager at the time wanted Favre, but Glanville despised the young QB because of his partying lifestyle and perceived lack of work ethic. This dilemma didn't just result in tension between the front office and the coaching staff, it became a war of pettiness.

What happened to Wilson the Jets quarterback? ›

He played college football for the Brigham Young Cougars and was selected second overall by the New York Jets in the 2021 NFL Draft. Wilson served as the Jets' starter during his first three seasons, but inconsistent play and injuries led to him being traded to the Broncos in 2024. Draper, Utah, U.S.

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