Aug. 7 (Bloomberg) -- The New York Jets acquired quarterback Brett Favre from the Green Bay Packers, ending the three-time Most Valuable Player's brief retirement and sending him to a team that hasn't won a Super Bowl in almost 40 years.

Terms of the trade, which was agreed to last night, weren't disclosed in team news releases. The Jets offered a single draft pick that may increase in value depending on how the team performs this season, Fox Sports said on its Web site.

The Jets, along with the Super Bowl-champion New York Giants, vie for attention in the biggest U.S. media market, and Favre may be their biggest name since Joe Namath was the quarterback in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Favre is scheduled to earn $12 million in 2008, according to the NFL Players Association.

``I certainly don't know what I'm getting myself into,'' Favre said in a televised news conference from Cleveland, where the Jets are scheduled to play the Browns tonight. ``I know how tough it can be, and how great it can be, in the city. Am I ready to face it, to deal with it? I think so.''

The 38-year-old Favre spent 16 years in Green Bay, where he set or matched 10 NFL quarterback records and won a Super Bowl title after the 1996 season. In January, the Packers lost to the eventual-champion New York Giants 23-20 in the National Football Conference title game.

The deal brings closure to a month of drama involving one of the U.S.'s most-popular athletes and Packers management, who said they were committed this season to starting Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.

``Not A Traitor''

``I'm not a traitor,'' Favre said. ``I gave everything I possibly could give while I was there. I don't think anyone could question that. I hope Jets fans see the same.''

Favre's addition led to the team's release of quarterback Chad Pennington, who the Jets drafted in 2000.

Pennington became the Jets' starter in 2002 and compiled a 32-29 record. He missed 13 games with a shoulder injury in 2005 before leading New York to the playoffs in the 2006 campaign while playing all 16 games. He was replaced by second-year quarterback Kellen Clemens midway through last season.

The Jets finished last season with a 4-12 mark in the American Football Conference's East division and haven't advanced in the postseason since defeating the San Diego Chargers in 2004, before losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team's only championship appearance came after the 1968 season, when Namath led the Jets to an upset win over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.

Favre and Buccaneers

Favre's trade followed six hours of ``brutally honest'' talks over two days between the player and Packers coach Mike McCarthy that left both sides convinced the only option for the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback was a move.

McCarthy said Favre wasn't in the ``right mindset'' to return to the Packers for his 17th season. Favre told ESPN that it was clear ``they don't want me back, so let's move on.''

Packers President Mark Murphy said today it's ``a bittersweet time'' for the team.

``We're all sad to see Brett Favre's career with the Packers end,'' Murphy said in a televised news conference. ``We have nothing but the highest regard for Brett and his family. We owe him a debt of gratitude for all he's accomplished.''

Murphy said the Packers hoped to maintain a ``long-term'' relationship with Favre and said ``he'll always be a Packer.''

Vikings, Bears

Favre had requested to be released from his contract or to talk about a trade with a divisional opponent such as the Minnesota Vikings or Chicago Bears, which Murphy said the Packers opposed.

General Manager Ted Thompson would today only discuss the trade with the Jets.

``They were very aggressive, very active, did a great job selling themselves,'' he said. ``We felt like that was the best thing for us and he felt like it was a good thing for him.''

Favre announced his retirement in March in a tearful news conference, then told the Packers last month he wanted to play football again. The team already said it was ``100 percent committed'' to starting Rodgers, a first-round draft choice in 2005 who has played in seven NFL games as Favre's backup.

Favre holds NFL records for passes, passing yards, touchdowns and consecutive starts by a quarterback. The Kiln, Mississippi, native completed 5,377 passes for 61,655 yards, 442 touchdowns and 288 interceptions.

Highly Popular

He also holds the marks for wins by a starting quarterback, with 160, and regular-season starts at the position, with 253.

When he retired, Favre was one of the most popular athletes in the U.S. A 2007 Harris Poll rated him the public's favorite NFL player and the fourth-most popular athlete, behind golfer Tiger Woods, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and former basketball champion Michael Jordan.

Favre also ranked second among active football players on Marketing Evaluation Inc.'s Q Scores, which measure U.S. consumer awareness of celebrities and their marketability. He trailed Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and was ahead of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

Favre said he looked forward to the challenges of introducing himself to his new teammates and New York fans.

``I've won big games, lost big games, had my share of criticism and glory,'' he said. ``I haven't faced anything like this.''

To contact the reporter on this story: Aaron Kuriloff in New York at akuriloff@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: August 7, 2008 19:44 EDT