The 2008 season was the Green Bay Packers' 88th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 90th overall and their 3rd under head coach Mike McCarthy. The Packers were aiming to improve their 13–3 record from last season, but finished the season with a 6–10 record and missed the playoffs. Until the 2017 season, this was the last season in which the Packers did not qualify for the playoffs.
It was the first season since 1991 that quarterback Brett Favre was not on the team's roster. Favre retired in March, decided to come back over the summer and was ultimately traded to the New York Jets after the team told Favre playing in Green Bay again was not an option. It was the first season with quarterback Aaron Rodgers as the team's starter.
Offseason Departures On February 20, tight end Bubba Franks was released. On February 29, wide receiver Carlyle Holiday was released. On March 1, after the Packers declared him a franchise player on February 20, defensive tackle Corey Williams was traded to the Cleveland Browns for a second round pick in the draft. On March 4, quarterback Brett Favre retired. On March 13, the Baltimore Ravens signed cornerback Frank Walker to a contract. On March 26, longsnapper Rob Davis retired. On May 9, wide receiver Koren Robinson was released. On May 19, the Houston Texans signed tight end Ryan Krause to a contract. On June 5, offensive tackle Joe Toledo was released. On July 23, offensive guard Cameron Stephenson was released. On July 24, punter Ken DeBauche, linebacker Marcus Riley and cornerback Kyle Ward were released. On July 26, tight end Mike Peterson was released. On August 2, long snapper Thomas Gafford was released. On August 6, after he came out of retirement, Brett Favre was traded to the New York Jets for a conditional 4th round pick. On August 25, running back DeShawn Wynn, running back Ryan Powdrell, wide receiver Chris Francies and offensive tackle Ryan Considine were released to reach the NFL-mandated 75 player limit. On August 30, running backs Vernand Morency and Noah Herron, fullback Corey White, wide receivers Jake Allen, Taj Smith, Brett Swain and Johnny Quinn, tight end Joey Haynos, guards Ryan Keenan, Brennan Carvalho and Orrin Thompson, defensive tackles Conrad Bolston, Alfred Malone and Daniel Muir, linebackers Spencer Havner and Danny Lansanah, and cornerbacks Scorpio Babers, Tyrone Culver and Joe Porter were released to reach the NFL-mandated 53 player limit. On September 1, linebacker Abdul Hodge and punter Jon Ryan were released.
Additions
On February 28, former Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Joe Toledo was signed to a contract. On February 28, former Seattle Seahawks long snapper Thomas Gafford was signed to a contract. On March 20, former St. Louis Rams linebacker Brandon Chillar was signed to a 2-year contract. On August 4, retired reserve quarterback Brett Favre was reinstated and added to the active roster. On August 8, the Packers signed free agent cornerback Scorpio Babers to a contract. On August 19, the Packers signed free agent defensive end Rodney Allen to a contract. On September 1, the Packers signed punter Derrick Frost and long snapper Brett Goode to contracts.
Training camp and preseason injuries On July 28, wide receiver Shaun Bodiford was placed on Injured Reserve with a back injury. On August 19, tight end Evan Moore was placed on Injured Reserve with a knee injury. On August 25, defensive tackle Justin Harrell was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list with a back injury. On August 30, long snapper J. J. Jansen was placed on Injured Reserve with a LCL injury. On August 30, guard Orrin Thompson was placed on Injured Reserve. On August 30, defensive tackle Rodney Allen was placed on Injured Reserve.
Free agents
Position Player Free agencytag Date signed 2008 team QB Craig Nall UFA November 5 Houston Texans RB Ryan Grant ERFA August 2 Green Bay Packers RB Vernand Morency RFA April 4 Green Bay Packers FB John Kuhn ERFA March 19 Green Bay Packers WR Carlyle Holiday ERFA February 29 Released WR Ruvell Martin ERFA March 31 Green Bay Packers TE Tory Humphrey ERFA March 19 Green Bay Packers TE Ryan Krause UFA May 19 Houston Texans G Tyson Walter UFA DT Colin Cole RFA April 17 Green Bay Packers DT Corey Williams UFA March 1 Cleveland Browns LB Tracy White UFA March 25 Green Bay Packers CB Frank Walker UFA March 13 Baltimore Ravens SS Atari Bigby ERFA March 20 Green Bay Packers LS Rob Davis UFA March 26 RetiredRFA: Restricted free agent, UFA: Unrestricted free agent, ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent
Favre retirement, reinstatement and trade
On March 6, 2008, Favre formally announced his retirement. Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook, stated "Nobody pushed Brett Favre out the door but then nobody encouraged him not to go out that door either. I don't think he had a lot of encouragement to stay, but nobody told him to leave either." Cook also believed that Favre had not gotten the impression from the Packers that they wanted him back. Although Favre stated that he had been willing to play another year, he felt that another season would only be successful if he led his team to another Super Bowl victory. At his press conference, Favre openly wept about leaving the NFL. He stated that his decision, regardless of what was being said in the media, had nothing to do with what the Packers did or did not do. He said, seemingly contradictory to Cook's statements, that his decision to retire was based on the fact that he did not want to play anymore. He said during the conference, "I know I can play, but I don't think I want to. And that's really what it comes down to." But since he had to make his decision right there and then he felt that he needed to retire. He was eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013. The Packers also planned to retire Favre's No. 4 jersey during their regular season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on September 8. Favre appeared on the cover of the Madden NFL 09 video game, released on August 13, 2008.
Favre has stated that if the Packers asked him to return in an emergency situation, that "it would be hard to pass up." He stressed, however, that he would only return if he was in shape.
On July 2, 2008, it was reported that Favre was in contact with the Packers about a possible return to the team. On July 11, 2008, Favre sent a letter to the Packers asking for his unconditional release to allow him to play for another NFL team. Packers general manager Ted Thompson announced he would not grant Favre an unconditional release and reaffirmed the organization's commitment to Aaron Rodgers as its new quarterback. Complicating matters was Favre's unique contract giving him the leverage to void any potential trade by not reporting to the camp of the team he might be traded to if the Packers elect to go that route.
Favre spoke publicly for the first time about his potential comeback in a July 14, 2008 interview with Greta Van Susteren on the Fox News Channel's On the Record with Greta Van Susteren. In the interview, Favre said he was "guilty of retiring early," that he was "never fully committed" to retirement, and that he was pressured by the Packers to make a decision before the NFL draft and the start of the free agent signing period. Favre disputed the notion that he did not want to play for Green Bay and said that while he understands the organization has decided to move on, they should now allow him to do the same. He made clear that he would not return to the Packers as a backup and reiterated his desire to be released rather than traded, which would allow him the freedom to play for a competitive team. Favre also accused the Packers of being dishonest, wishing the team would have been straightforward with him and the public.
In the second part of the interview, which aired on July 15, Favre expressed his frustration with Packer management, spoke of his sympathy for successor Aaron Rodgers' predicament, and affirmed he is 100 percent committed to playing football in 2008. On July 16, Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook, stated Favre has "no definite plans to seek reinstatement" and that "It's [the Packers] move." Cook reasoned that applying for reinstatement at this time would give Green Bay the opportunity to activate Favre, relegate him to a backup role he is unwilling to accept, and fine him $15,000 a day for failing to report to training camp.
FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer reported on July 16, 2008, that the Packers filed tampering charges against the Minnesota Vikings with the league office, alleging improper communication between Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and Favre, although one source suggested that Favre may have been in contact with Vikings head coach Brad Childress. After an investigation, Commissioner Roger Goodell ruled there had been no violation of tampering rules.
Favre formally filed for reinstatement with the NFL on July 29, 2008, and his petition was granted by Commissioner Goodell, effective August 4, 2008. Favre then flew to Green Bay to report to Packers training camp. After a lengthy meeting with head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson, however, both sides agreed it was time for Favre and the organization to part ways. McCarthy sensed Favre was not in "the right mind-set" to resume playing for the Packers, while Favre felt that his relationship with Packer management had deteriorated to the point that a return to the team would be untenable.
After the Packers entered into trade discussions with both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets, Favre was traded to the Jets on August 6, 2008 for a conditional draft pick.Jets set for Brett: Packers legend headed to New York – NFL – ESPN
Draft
The Packers held Pick 30 in the NFL draft but traded it to the New York Jets for picks 36 and 113. In the second round they selected wide receiver Jordy Nelson of Kansas State with pick 36, quarterback Brian Brohm of Louisville with pick 56 and cornerback Pat Lee of Auburn with pick 60.
During day 2 of the NFL draft, The Packers started off their day pick tight end Jermichael Finley of Texas with pick 91.
In the fourth round, the Packers traded picks 113 and 162 to the New York Jets for pick 102. They then used that pick to select defensive end Jeremy Thompson of Wake Forest. The Packers then traded pick 128 to the St Louis Rams for picks 137 and 217. They then used pick 135 to select offensive guard Josh Sitton of the UCF Knights.
In the 5th round they traded pick 137 to the Minnesota Vikings for picks 150 and 209. With pick 150 the Packers selected offensive tackle Breno Giacomini of Louisville.
After waiting for the 6th round to pass in which the Packers did not hold any picks, they finished their draft by selecting quarterback Matt Flynn of LSU and wide receiver Brett Swain of San Diego State with picks 209 and 217 respectively. They traded pick 237 to the New Orleans Saints for their 6th round pick of the 2009 NFL draft.
Undrafted free agents Following the 2008 NFL draft, the Packers signed 11 undrafted free agents. They were: Wide receiver Jake Allen (Mississippi College) Center Brennan Carvalho (Portland State) Punter Ken DeBauche (Wisconsin) Wide receiver Rod Harper (Murray State) Tight end Joey Haynos (Maryland) Long snapper J. J. Jansen (Notre Dame) Linebacker Danny Lansanah (UConn) Runningback Kregg Lumpkin (Georgia) Tight end Mike Peterson (Northwest Missouri State) Linebacker Marcus Riley (Fresno State) Wide receiver Taj Smith (Syracuse) On May 7, the Packers signed Cornerback Condrew Allen (Portland State), Offensive tackle Ryan Considine (Louisiana Tech) and Cornerback Kyle Ward (Louisiana-Lafayette) after they attended a minicamp on a tryout basis. On May 22, the Packers also signed Evan Moore (Stanford).
Training camp