Rex Ryan Says He Would Have Pursued Favre If Jets Hadn't Drafted Sanchez

In 2008, the Jets traded for quarterback Brett Favre. After an 8-3 start and a disappointing finish, which saw the Jets miss the playoffs, coach Eric Mangini took the fall -- and Rex Ryan got the job.
Favre retired for the second straight year after the season, and the Jets declined at the time to release his rights. Thus, while retired, Favre remained property of the Jets.
After the Jets moved up with Mangini's Browns to pick quarterback Mark Sanchez with the fifth pick in the 2009 draft, the Jets released Favre from the reserve-retired list, setting the stage for a pursuit by the Vikings.
On Monday, as the Jets prepare to host Favre and the Vikings in only seven days, Ryan told the media that, if the Jets hadn't drafted Sanchez, Ryan would have tried to recruit Favre to return.
Though it's unknown whether Favre would have responded to the sweet nothings whispered into his ear by Rex, the reality is that, if Favre wanted to keep playing football, he would have played for the Jets or no one. The Jets released Favre's rights only after drafting Sanchez. If they hadn't, Favre definitely wouldn't have played for the Vikings.
And he may have had a second tour with the Jets.
He may have even had a third one.