So, who was the winner? Certainly not Brat Favre

GREEN BAY, WIS. - The Green Bay Packers handled a difficult situation beautifully. Brett Favre handled it like a thin-skinned child and ultimately lost because he pouted his way out of Green Bay and then couldn't whine his way to Minnesota, the NFC North or even the NFC.

Had Favre been as clear-minded and mature as Packers General Manager Ted Thompson, he'd be on Clarke Hinkle Field today, competing with Aaron Rodgers for the Packers' starting quarterback job, which he would have won. Instead, he's a 38-year-old New York Jet who's late to camp, unfamiliar with the AFC East and trying to learn a new offense for the first time in 17 years.

Yes, both sides made missteps in communication from the time Favre retired in March until his true desire to play this season became evident. But when he showed up in Green Bay on Sunday, the Packers were willing to put the animosity aside. Favre was not.

"We would have let Brett compete for his position," coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday. "I talked to Brett about that, and he felt that was clearly the best way to go. He had no problem competing."

But Favre had a major problem with Thompson and the organization. He agreed with McCarthy's conclusion that Favre no longer had the mind-set to play for the Packers because of things that were said back and forth during the offseason.

Favre was particularly upset the Packers refused to believe his desire to play again was legitimate, even though Favre is a chronic retirement waffler and didn't ask the league to be reinstated until last week. Also, Favre said far more to damage the relationship than the Packers did, including an interview in which he said he said he couldn't trust Thompson in part because he wouldn't follow his advice and hire Steve Mariucci and sign Randy Moss.

In seven hours of conversations Monday and Tuesday -- six with McCarthy and one with Thompson -- Favre said he could not get past the personal differences. Favre even admitted that to his media relations department, otherwise known as ESPN.

Thompson never wavered. He not only kept Favre out of Minnesota, he also steered him away from Tampa Bay, the only other interested trading partner outside the NFC North. Favre preferred Tampa Bay over the Jets because he's familiar with coach Jon Gruden, knows the offense and, oh yeah, the Bucs play the Packers at home in Week 4.

"Ted has been a true professional through this whole process," said Mark Murphy, Packers president and CEO. "In my view, he has no ego. ... I thought it was really masterful the way Ted handled this situation, particularly the trade. ... And Mike has been solid as a rock."

Thompson managed to get a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2009. According to the NFL Network, it becomes a third-round pick if Favre plays 50 percent of the snaps this season; a second-round pick if he plays 70 percent and the Jets make the playoffs; and a first-round pick if he plays 80 percent and the Jets make it to the Super Bowl.

Also, to protect the organization, Thompson insisted on a "poison pill" clause that said the Jets would owe the Packers three first-round draft picks if they trade Favre to the Vikings. A beautiful move to protect the team from giving the Vikings a much better quarterback than any they currently have.

"Contrary to reports, I like Brett a lot," Thompson said. "I'm wishing him well. I think all football fans want to see him do well. And we pray he will."