GREEN BAY, WIS. - Three days after the gleeful touchdown at Austin Straubel International Airport, Brett Favre was back on a plane to Hattiesburg, Miss., on Wednesday morning, leaving Green Bay for the last time as a Packer -- and just hours from a late-night trade that sent him to the New York Jets for his 18th NFL season.

The Packers, meanwhile, returned to practice knowing that Favre's days in Geen Bay were over as trade talks with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jets continued into the night. General Manager Ted Thompson was scheduled to address the media at 11:30 a.m., but that was eventually cancelled as the team wrapped up its second practice at about 9 p.m.

Favre told ESPN before leaving Green Bay that he was eager to get into training camp somewhere.

"I just want to get on the field and get going -- I'm 38 years old," Favre said.

The Jets reportedly gave the Packers a third- or fourth-round draft pick that could escalate to a first-round pick depending on how well Favre and the Jets perform this season.

Jets chairman and CEO Woody Johnson issued a statement early Thursday.

"I am looking forward to seeing Brett Favre in a New York Jets uniform," Johnson said. "He represents a significant addition to this franchise, and reflects our commitment to putting the best possible product on the field.

"Mike Tannenbaum and his football administration staff did a great job of navigating this complex process. I am excited about welcoming Brett, Deanna and their family to the Jets organization."

Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy and Thompson issued the joint statement late Wednesday, part of which said, "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."

Early in the day, the Bucs appeared to be the front-runners for the NFL's career leader in touchdown passes (442), MVP awards (three) and consecutive starts by a quarterback (275, including playoffs).

"We are a good football team," Bucs coach Jon Gruden told reporters. "We're trying to become a great one. We'll do anything we can to get better. And if that involves looking at other players, by George, that's our job. That's our responsibility."

Favre is believed to have preferred the Bucs because Gruden is a former Packers assistant and Tampa Bay runs a version of the West Coast offense that Favre has run the past 16 years in Green Bay. But the Bucs apparently weren't convinced to give up the Packers' reported asking price of a third-round pick and quarterback Brian Griese.

McCarthy and Favre spoke for a combined six hours Monday and Tuesday morning. Afterward, McCarthy told reporters that it was clear Favre no longer had the "mind-set" to play in Green Bay because of the contentious relationship that developed between the organization and Favre after the quarterback decided to end his brief retirement. Favre said as much in an interview with ESPN on Tuesday morning.

Favre and McCarthy spoke again Tuesday night, but nothing had changed, McCarthy said Wednesday.

"It was just very general," McCarthy said of his last conversation with Favre. "Just how he was doing, where he was with the process. Things like that."

McCarthy said his players appreciated the fact the team has moved on.

"I think it is human nature," McCarthy said. "It's about having a direction and a plan and everybody working toward that plan and trying not to be distracted. This job is hard enough. ... They just want to get back to focusing on football."

The Packers' first preseason game is against Cincinnati on Monday night in Lambeau Field. If Aaron Rodgers doesn't play well, the Packers could be facing a new round of distractions. But McCarthy said the team is happy to have closure on the Favre situation and definitely practiced like it Wednesday night.

Players who were interviewed in the locker room before the trade happened confirmed that it was good to have closure, often in the weary tones of people who have been asked the same questions every day for longer than a week.

"The situation with Brett and us has to end," said receiver Donald Driver, a longtime friend of Favre's. "I don't want to hear any more questions about Brett Favre and what's going on. I'm tired of it. Tired of it."

Offensive tackle Mark Tauscher said he noticed a difference in the team's effectiveness in practice Wednesday morning after learning the night before that the organization and Favre agreed to part ways.

"There was more energy in practice," Tauscher said. "[Tuesday's] practice wasn't great. We're not blaming it on [the Favre situation], but I just think there was a lot of tension and the environment wasn't great for it. It's good for everybody for this thing to get resolved so everybody can move forward."

Defensive tackle Ryan Pickett called it a "sad day," but agreed that the team had to end the daily distractions.

"It's nothing against Brett," Pickett said. "He's one of the greatest teammates I've ever had. He'd have us rolling on the floor in the locker room. It will be sad, but it's time for all of us to admit it's finally over."