NEW YORK – Brett Favre was released from the reserve-retired list by the New York Jets on Tuesday night, making the quarterback a free agent if he decides to again come out of retirement.
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, 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.
San Diego back inks deal
SAN DIEGO – Chargers running back Darren Sproles on Tuesday signed the $6,621,000 million contract he was tendered as the team’s franchise player.
Sproles had been scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent before the Chargers tagged him as their franchise player. His pay is the average of what the top five running backs in the league are paid.
The speedy little running back and dangerous return specialist made $1.1 million in base pay last year. Sproles will make just less than star running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who redid his contract in March in order to remain with the Bolts.
Around the NFL
SAINTS: New Orleans released veteran defensive tackle Brian Young, who played only half of last season because of problems with his left knee that lingered into the offseason.
BENGALS: Texas receiver Quan Cosby has agreed to terms with Cincinnati after going undrafted over the weekend. The 5-foot-8 receiver started 13 games at split end last season and caught 92 passes for 1,123 yards. His size and age (26) worked against him in the draft. He spent four years playing minor league baseball before going to Texas.
REDSKINS: Washington has been awarded running back Marcus Mason off waivers from the New York Jets. Mason led the NFL in rushing during the preseason last year while with the Redskins, but he was cut and signed to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. He then was signed by the Jets and was inactive for seven games.
Ex-Chiefs coach Gansz dies
DALLAS – Former Kansas City Chiefs coach Frank Gansz, who spent much of his NFL and collegiate career working with special teams, died Monday at a Dallas hospital. He was 70.
SMU spokesman Brad Sutton said Gansz developed complications after undergoing knee replacement surgery last week and died Monday afternoon. Gansz had been special teams coach for the Mustangs last year.
Gansz was head coach of the Chiefs from 1987-88 and a former assistant for the team. He also coached in Jacksonville, Atlanta, St. Louis, Detroit, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and San Francisco.