GREEN BAY -- OK, so we don't want to get everyone all fired up about this, because it could be nothing. That said ...

If Brett Favre wants to go play for the Minnesota Vikings in 2009 -- and no one here is saying that he does ... yet -- the former Green Bay Packers quarterback is one step closer to that possibility after reportedly being released by the New York Jets Tuesday, making him a free agent.

Yes, that means that the stipulation the Packers put in the August 2008 trade that sent Favre to the Jets -- that the Jets would owe them three first-round draft picks if they traded Favre to an NFC North team -- is null and void.

And Favre, who turns 40 in October, can join the Vikings if the Packers' archrivals decide to pursue him.

NFL.com's Michael Lombardi reported the news on his blog Tuesday evening. Favre announced his retirement -- for the second time -- on Feb. 11, with the Jets placing him on the reserve/retired list. According to NFL sources, Favre asked for his release then and the Jets declined.

Favre also asked for his release in June 2008 after informing the Packers of his desire to unretire following his tearful March 6, 2008 announcement. The Packers did not grant it, leading to a training-camp showdown between the club and the player which ended in an ugly divorce and Favre being shipped to the Jets.

In a statement released by the Jets, Favre said that he didn’t plan on returning to play, although he clearly chose his words carefully when explaining how the release came about after his agent, Bus Cook, and Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum discussed it.

“Bus and Mike have been talking about this for a while. Nothing has changed. At this time, I am retired and have no intention of returning to football,” Favre said.

At this time, he says.

Said Tannenbaum in the same news release, “Brett requested his release some time ago. He has not indicated any desire to return to football and he remains retired. We wish him the best.”

Favre played one season for the Jets, leading them to a 9-7 record but missing the playoffs as they stumbled to a 1-4 finish following an 8-3 start. The Packers finished 6-10 last season, Aaron Rodgers' first as their starter.

The Jets traded up in last weekend's NFL draft to select USC quarterback Mark Sanchez with the fifth overall pick.

Favre is now free to sign with any team, although he'll have to re-apply for reinstatement with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, just as he did last year.