Brett Favre left Green Bay Wednesday afternoon on a private jet. Hours later, he was a Jet.

FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer broke the story that broke thousands of hearts across Wisconsin. The Packers reached a deal with New York on a trade that will send the future Hall of Famer to Broadway instead of the Buccaneers.

The exact compensation was not immediately known, but it is believed to be a conditional draft pick for 2009, the value of which is contingent upon Favre's play. SI.com reported that it likely will be a third-round pick, which could escalate to a first-round pick based on how the team and Favre perform.

Packers President / CEO Mark Murphy and general manager Ted Thompson issued a joint statement Wednesday night:

"Brett has had a long and storied career in Green Bay, and the Packers owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for everything he accomplished on the field and for the impact he made in the state. It is with some sadness that we make this announcement, but also with the desire for certainty that will allow us to move the team and organization forward in the most positive way possible.

"We respect Brett's decision that he could no longer remain here as a Packer. But there were certain things we were not willing to do because they were not in the best interest of the team. We were not going to release him nor trade him to a team within the division. When Brett ultimately decided that he still wanted to play football, but not in Green Bay, we told him that we would work to find the best solution for all parties involved. We wish Brett and his family well.

"We appreciate the tremendous passion shown by our fans. We, like them, always will see Brett Favre as a Green Bay Packer and our respect for him never will change. Moving forward, we are dedicated to delivering a successful 2008 season for all Packers fans."

Favre left his house in Ashwaubenon with wife Deanna and agent James "Bus" Cook, and boarded a private jet shortly after noon. The jet went wheels-up at Austin Straubel airport at 12:25 p.m. and landed at 2:30 p.m.

Cook told the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger two hours before takeoff that a deal could be done within "the next hour or so," but it didn't happen.

According to several reports, the Jets made a better offer for Favre, whom Jets officials spoke to Tuesday, but there was also a school of thought that the Jets were being used to increase the Buccaneers' offer.

Greeted by a small group of reporters at an airport in Hattiesburg upon his return, Favre said he was "tired" and clearly wanted the situation resolved as soon as possible.

"Obviously it's in everyone's best interest to do it quickly (rather) than later. We're working on it," Favre said. "Hopefully we can get something resolved. I've been saying that for awhile now. We're, I don't want to say running out of time, but I need to get into a camp somewhere, get used to the guys as well as the system."

Favre confirmed that he has "talked to Tampa and the Jets. I don't think anything has changed. We're at least considering those guys. We'll see what happens." Favre called the whole ordeal "very taxing on me, my family and everyone involved on both sides."

After his four-hour Monday night conversation with coach Mike McCarthy and a two-hour chat with McCarthy Tuesday morning, Favre and McCarthy spoke again Tuesday night, although neither would say how long that final conversation lasted or what it was about.

Favre did shed some light on his side of the Monday night talk he had with McCarthy, who on Tuesday had said Favre "wasn't in the right mindset to play" in Green Bay anymore.

"I was asked the question if I was totally committed to the Packers, and I know that's been documented, and I posed the same question back to them. And I don't think either side could totally commit (to each other) after all that's happened," Favre said. "The bottom line in all of this is playing football. I've always been committed to my job. I know people say I should put the personal issues aside, and I agree, but I couldn't do that.

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