When Favre was dealt to New York from Green Bay in August, there were conditions in the trade that required the Packers to be compensated if the Jets moved the three-time MVP. Those no longer apply if he signs elsewhere.
The 39-year-old Favre, who spent one disappointing season with New York, had requested the move several weeks ago through agent Bus Cook, but insisted he has no plans to come out of retirement for a 19th season.
"Nothing has changed," Favre said in a statement. "At this time, I am retired and have no intention of returning to football."
Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum also said Favre had not indicated to him any desire to come back.
That, of course, won't stop any of the likely speculation that Favre could end up with any number of teams, especially if the torn biceps tendon that hampered him for much of last season has healed.
After 16 seasons with the Packers, Favre had a tearful retirement in March 2008, but decided to return to football a few months later. Green Bay had already moved forward, anointing Aaron Rodgers the starter as a bitter falling out with Favre ensued.
The Packers traded him to the Jets, injecting excitement into a franchise that hasn't been to a Super Bowl since 1969. Things started off promising as Favre played well and the Jets took over first place in the AFC East, with a playoff run in their sights. But Favre struggled down the stretch with the arm injury as the Jets finished 1-4 and failed to make the playoffs, costing coach Eric Mangini his job.
Favre announced his retirement on Feb. 11, saying he was done with football — this time for real.
PHOENIX (AP) - The Arizona Cardinals granted running back Edgerrin James' wish to be released on Tuesdayl.
The move clears salary cap space for the Cardinals, who want to sign new deals with linebacker Karlos Dansby and safety Adrian Wilson, and eventually with unhappy wide receiver Anquan Boldin.The move gives spending room to a franchise that had been just below the salary ceiling.
James, 30, had one year left, at $5 million, on the four-year, $40 million deal he signed with Arizona before the 2006 season. He recently experienced a personal tragedy with the death of his longtime girlfriend, and mother of his four children, of leukemia at age 30.
James had 794 carries for 2,895 yards and 16 touchdowns in his three seasons in Arizona. He topped 1,000 yards in 2006 and 2007, and his resurgence during last season's playoffs gave Arizona the running game it had sorely lacked.
He was benched for seven games earlier in 2008, the first time that's happened in his career, and he asked the team to release him then. The Cardinals refused, and he was reinserted into the lineup late in the season.
Despite it being such a difficult year, it led to James' only Super Bowl.
James had sought his release early in the free agency period, but the Cardinals held off until after last weekend's draft, where they chose Ohio State running back Chris "Beanie" Wells in the first round, the No. 31 pick overall. Wells and second-year pro Tim Hightower are expected to be Arizona's featured backs in the coming season.
In his 10-year career, James has rushed for 12,121 yards, 11th on the NFL career list and first among active players.
ATLANTA (AP) - The Atlanta Falcons picked up 10 rookie free agents Tuesday, including Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson after the draft.
Parker, a three-year starter, led the Crimson Tide to a 12-0 regular season as a senior before closing his career with losses to Florida in the Southeastern Conference championship game and Utah in the Sugar Bowl.
He was among 10 players signing with the Falcons after being passed over in the draft.
HUNTINGTON - Appropriately, this weekend wrapped with at least one Marshall University standout joining the National Football League.
It hardly played out as expected, but mid-round NFL Draft prospect C.J. Spillman signed with the San Diego Chargers as a free agent. The rangy, sound-tackling free safety projected as a third- or fourth-round selection, but his name wasn't called during draft weekend.
San Diego quickly pounced, however, signing the 6-foot, 197-pound All-Conference USA selection minutes after the draft's conclusion. Prior to the draft, Spillman frankly stated, "I have no idea," of his status. After signing as a free agent, he opted for enthusiasm in lieu of disappointment.
"Other teams projected me as a third- or fourth-round prospect, but it boiled down to the medical issue," Spillman said, referencing playing through a broken-hand injury. "That's what it came down to, and when it was all said and done, I was able to look at the rosters and see what was the best fit and where I could make the roster."
Spillman interviewed with approximately 15 teams at the NFL Combine and subsequently spoke with representatives of the Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, St. Louis Rams and the Chargers.
"They were right there with me the whole time and I felt that's where I'd fit in and make something happen," Spillman said.
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