The Green Bay Packers agreed last night to trade quarterback Brett Favre to the New York Jets, a final surprising twist to a football soap opera that already had been full of them.

The Jets apparently outbid the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the three-time NFL MVP, who retired in March but changed his mind in recent weeks. According to one source close to the trade talks, the Jets surrendered a fourth-round draft pick that can increase in value, potentially all the way to a first-round choice, based on the performance of Favre and his new team this season.

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

The Packers announced the agreement late last night without revealing what they received in return.

"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," the Packers said in a written statement attributed to president Mark Murphy and general manager Ted Thompson. "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."

Favre, who will turn 39 in October, leaves the Packers after 16 seasons. He was in Green Bay this week but did not make it on the practice field after telling coach Mike McCarthy he was not fully committed to playing for the club this season, according to McCarthy.

Favre left Green Bay yesterday and returned to his home in Mississippi while the Packers shopped him to the Jets and Buccaneers. The Buccaneers had been regarded as the front-runner but apparently were not willing to surrender as much as the Jets, and the Packers seemed to prefer a trade to the Jets because they were able to send Favre out of the NFC and to a team they do not play this season.

The Jets inherit Favre's contract, which is to pay him $12 million this season. It was not immediately clear if Favre agreed to rework it.

Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens had been competing for the Jets' starting quarterback job. It appeared possible late last night that the Jets would release Pennington to clear salary cap space and would retain the younger Clemens to back up Favre.

The Jets went 4-12 last season but made several offseason upgrades, signing guard Alan Faneca and linebacker Calvin Pace to lucrative contracts in free agency. The acquisition of Favre becomes the biggest of all.

Favre must learn a new offensive system and adjust to playing under the bright New York spotlight. He has no real connections to the Jets franchise, but former Packers general manager Ron Wolf, while in the Jets' front office, once tried to draft Favre. Wolf failed and Favre instead was taken by the Atlanta Falcons. He was traded to the Packers after one season, with Wolf by then in Green Bay.

It was thought that Favre wanted to play for Minnesota, but the Packers refused to trade him to a fellow NFC North team or grant his request to be released.

"We respect Brett's decision that he could no longer remain here as a Packer," the team said in its statement. "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."