GREEN BAY -- The text message arrived on Aaron Rodgers' phone around 8:15 Tuesday morning -- or 6:15 in California, where Rodgers was at the time.

FoxSports.com is reporting that Brett Favre is retiring, it read.

A little less than two hours later came Rodgers' reply.

MyBed.com is reporting that I'm trying to sleep.

So give the Green Bay Packers' new starting quarterback this much: He's cool under fire, at least when it comes to the biggest story in Wisconsin sports, and a life-changing moment for him personally.

That was the last we heard from Rodgers, whose voicemail box was full and unable to accept messages by Tuesday evening. And while coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson didn 't want to talk about how Rodgers will fare as Favre's heir, Thompson did admit "it's a little bit daunting knowing you're going to be going forward without Brett as your quarterback." McCarthy said "leadership-wise, there's definitely a void."

"I think the finality of it just kind of hits you," said Thompson, who'll have to re-sign No. 3 quarterback Craig Nall or add a veteran backup -- Tim Rattay, Mark Brunell, Chad Pennington and J.P. Losman could be among the options -- via free agency or a trade. "Brett Favre's not going to be our quarterback anymore."

McCarthy, whom Favre informed of his decision Monday night, said he spoke with Rodgers "briefly" on Tuesday morning, "just to update him on what's going on here and what was in front of him." Asked how Rodgers reacted, McCarthy replied, "I think he was a little surprised, but we really didn't talk much about Brett's decision. His comment to me was, 'How is Brett doing?' ''

The question now becomes, how will the Packers do without Favre? While no one was suggesting Tuesday the Packers are better off without Favre and with Rodgers as their starter, the fact Rodgers played so well in the in the Packers' 37-27 loss at Dallas Nov. 29 -- completing 18 of 26 passes for 201 yards, with a touchdown and no interceptions for a 104.8 passer rating after Favre injured his elbow gave his teammates confidence he could do the job if called upon.

And now, he's being called upon.

"It's going to be different. I think there's going to be a little bit of a transition here in Green Bay because the first thing you think of when you think of the Green Bay Packers is Brett Favre," linebacker A.J. Hawk said when reached Tuesday afternoon. "But I'm excited for Aaron to step in and get his chance.

"I think if you ask anyone on our team, the confidence level in Aaron is really high. I've only been around for two years, but I've seen what he can do in practice, how he prepares, everything he does. The Dallas game was a big test, and he stepped in to what at that time was the biggest game of the year and had a great game for us and handled all the pressure.

"You can tell in practice that Aaron has that 'It' factor. Whatever 'It' is. You can't know for sure until someone's been tested for many seasons, but Aaron's a confident guy, he knows the offense very well, and I wouldn't want anyone else leading this team. If you can't have Brett, I'm taking Aaron for us -- ahead of anybody."

Former Packers safety LeRoy Butler still isn't convinced Favre will stay retired -- having seen Hall of Fame defensive end Reggie White unretire twice -- but cautioned the Packers could find themselves in an awkward situation if Favre reconsiders later this spring or summer.

"Until I hear from him -- and I haven't to this point yet, (although) I'm sure I will later -- that he's retiring, I'm going to assume he 's still going to play. I think he's one of those kind of guys who has a change of heart sometime after the draft or minicamps or training camp, and I think he'll want to come back and play," Butler said.

"But this is the hard part: How do you move your team forward, and give Aaron the keys to the franchise, and then Brett comes back and you snatch (the keys) away from him? You've got to let him play. So that's tough. It's not tough now. But it's tough if some team calls and says, 'We'll give you a second-round pick and a couple million dollars in cash, (we) want Brett's rights.' Do you do it?"

Meanwhile, Favre's retirement drew reaction from throughout the NFL -- and beyond.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell: "Brett Favre will always be remembered as one of the greatest players and fiercest competitors in NFL history. His long list of accomplishments both on and off the field is remarkable. ... It has been a joy and privilege for all of us to watch him play."

New Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy, who was traveling to a league function Tuesday: "Prior to coming to the Packers, I admired Brett Favre from afar and enjoyed following his career through the years, like many football fans. Once I arrived, all those thoughts were reinforced. He means so much to everyone that supports the Packers. We've been fortunate to have him as our quarterback. ... It's a bittersweet time as we celebrate one of the NFL 's greatest all-time players. We're happy for Brett and his family that he's been able to come to this decision. We wish him well and look forward to Brett being a part of the Packers' family for years to come."

Packers wide receiver Donald Driver, who was out of the country but issued a statement through his publicist, Brian Lammi: "A part of me is sad ... However, I am happy that Brett is able to retire by going out on top with his health intact. It has been a great honor to play nine years with the best quarterback in NFL history. To go into the record books with Brett by catching the pass that broke the all-time NFL (passing) yardage record will be a moment that I will cherish the rest of my life."

Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, Favre's coach in Green Bay from 1992 through 1998: "Brett's career accomplishments will be measured among the greats of the game for the balance of time. He truly was as gifted a player as I have ever seen, and as proud and amazed as I am of what Brett has accomplished on the playing field. The thing that impresses me the most is what kind of a man and leader he has become off the field since I have known him. I have taken great joy in watching him develop as a person and father -- perhaps even more so -- than as a coach watching his quarterback."

Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, the former University of Wisconsin quarterback who served as Favre's position coach from 2003 through '05: "There was speculation at the end of every season (that he would retire). There were a lot of special moments just being with him. I can remember all of the hundreds of Make-A-Wish kids the came through. He treated them all like they were special. The playoff wins, the game in Oakland (in 2003) after his father died. There were so many experiences that I'll remember forever. It was fun to be able to say I was part of that ride."

Minnesota wide receiver Bobby Wade, who faced Favre with the Vikings and Chicago Bears: "As a competitor it's always nice to get a guy like that off the field. I just hope the next stage of his life goes the way he wants it to. As far as competing against him, no doubt about it, being on the opposite side, (it's nice that) they don't have a Brett Favre now. It changes their ability to be able to perform at the level they did last year."

Wisconsin governor Jim Doyle: "He's brought us just incredible thrills, great highs, and, he'll even admit, some great lows but always with incredible hard work and having fun. In some ways, Brett Favre, I think really exemplifies the values that we consider so much of Wisconsin -- showing up for work every single day, never taking a day off, working at it as hard as you possibly can, giving it everything you have, excelling, being spectacularly successful, but occasionally goofing it up a little bit but never pointing the finger at anybody else. "

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong: "To me, he's an ironman. He's been around a long time, played hard the whole time, worked hard the whole time, and inspired his team the whole time."

Houston Texans halfback Ahman Green, who played with Favre in Green Bay from 2000 through '06: "My fondest memory was the game after his dad passed away on Monday Night against the Raiders (in 2003). Everyone really pulled together in terms of moral support for him. He had a tragic loss and we just rallied behind him."

ESPN and Washington Post columnist Tony Kornheiser, a "Monday Night Football" commentator and co-host of "Pardon the Interruption": "He 's a creature of habit. He's the Dalmatian at the firehouse, and during the summer this is what he's done for so long, his whole life -- play football. He can walk right in and do it again, so I do think it's possible that he would want to come back. ... Today's early March. Let's see how he feels after taking a few months off."