Jets release Pennington after acquiring Favre

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York Jets, who acquired nine-times Pro Bowl quarterback Brett Favre this week in a trade with the Green Bay Packers, released quarterback Chad Pennington on Thursday.

"We have accomplished a lot of great things with Chad," general manager Mike Tannenbaum said in a statement.

"He gave his heart and soul to this organization for a long, long time. I really appreciate everything he has done."

Pennington, the 18th overall selection in the 2000 draft, finished his eight-year Jets career with a regular-season record as a starting quarterback of 32-29.

The Jets replaced Pennington, an accurate passer with a relatively weak throwing arm, with rifle-armed Favre on Wednesday.

Favre, who won an unprecedented three league Most Valuable Player awards, retired in March after helping Green Bay reach the NFC title game but he had a change of heart and decided to return.

The Packers, however, did not welcome Favre back having already handed the reins of the team to his understudy, Aaron Rodgers.

Favre ended last season as the NFL's all-time leader in touchdown passes (442) and passing yards (61,655).

(Writing by Larry Fine in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Editing by Tony Jimenez)