Lowry, who is now in his seventh season, injured his calf after seven snaps in Miami and will now miss the rest of the regular season and likely the rest of the season overall. Going on injured reserve means missing at least four games; Lowry wouldn’t be eligible to return – in a scenario where the Packers make the playoffs – until the NFC Championship Game.
Lowry has played 482 snaps (10th most among Packers defenders) over 15 games. He’s produced 17 pressures, 18 stops and one batted pass but has mostly struggled to create impactful plays along the line of scrimmage.
Without Lowry the rest of the way, the Packers will be forced to give more snaps to first-round pick Devonte Wyatt, who is starting to look more and more disruptive. Consistency will be key for the rookie in a bigger role. His struggles against the run could create even bigger issues for the Packers in that area down the stretch, but his athleticism could provide a jolt for the Packers’ pass rush.
Expect more opportunities for nose tackle TJ Slaton as well. The Packers could also call on rookie Jonathan Ford or elevate Chris Slayton from the practice squad.
Lowry is a trusted veteran player in Green Bay but his absence doesn’t have to be a negative if Wyatt starts coming on here late in his rookie season.
The biggest name is already off the NFL trade market, with the 49ers landing running back Christian McCaffrey last week. And the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs each made splashes this week, with Philadelphia adding Bears pass-rusher Robert Quinn to an already impressive defense, and the Chiefs acquiring the electric Kadarius Toney from the Giants.
But plenty of intrigue remains as Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline draws near.
A number of anticipated contenders have faltered during the initial stretch of the season. These teams might look to the trade market to help themselves get back on track.
So, as we wait to see how things unfold, we’re kicking around ideas on deals that may or may not happen — but, in our opinion, should.
The Athletic’s Jeff Howe and Mike Jones came up three proposals apiece. One writer details why each deal makes sense, and the other explains why it might not.
Mike Jones’ three trade proposals
Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks to Packers for fifth-round pick
Jones’ why: Aaron Rodgers and the Packers desperately miss Davante Adams, and there’s no one on the trade market who can fully fill those shoes. But right now, Rodgers badly needs a veteran wide receiver who understands the concepts of the offense and where he is expected to be at all times. Cooks — stranded in Houston, where the Texans will likely vie for the top pick of the draft — can help. He played in the same offense for Packers coach Matt LaFleur’s good buddy Sean McVay while a member of the Rams in 2018 and 2019 (LaFleur served as the Rams’ offensive coordinator in 2017). At 29, Cooks still has plenty left in the tank while coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. In all, Cooks has topped the 1,000-yard mark in six of the last seven seasons during stops in New Orleans, New England, L.A. and Houston. While some wide receivers struggle to find comfort with a new team midseason, Cooks would have a good chance of making a near-instant impact.
Howe’s why not: The last time the Packers traded for a wide receiver, it involved Rodgers’ friend Randall Cobb. Part of the Packers’ offensive problems this season has been Rodgers’ lack of trust with the young receivers. So the question is whether Rodgers and Cooks can create enough immediate chemistry to make a tangible difference, with the Packers essentially in win-now mode for the final 10 games. That doesn’t mean Green Bay should wave the white flag and ignore all potential receiver acquisitions, but there should be some level of skepticism involved.
GO DEEPER
Vic’s Picks, Week 8: Aaron Rodgers has a point about the Packers
Patriots offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn to Rams for middle-round pick
Jones’ why: The defending Super Bowl champion Rams have struggled a good deal this season, and a lot of that has to do with injuries along their offensive line. Through six games, Matthew Stafford has been sacked 22 times (third-highest total in the league), and the Rams average just 70.5 rushing yards per game (31st in the NFL). After losing left tackle Joe Noteboom to a torn Achilles tendon last week, the Rams’ sense of urgency to fortify the line ratcheted up that much more. Wynn, the 23rd pick of the 2018 draft, spent the last three seasons at left tackle for New England but fell out of favor with the coaching staff. A trade to the Rams could benefit all parties involved.
Howe’s why not: Wynn is having his worst season in New England, although it’s fair to wonder how much the move to right tackle has thrown him off. But even with that in mind, the Patriots would have to be comfortable with Marcus Cannon and Yodny Cajuste at right tackle for the final 10 games. They also have to operate under the likelihood left tackle Trent Brown will miss time, as he hasn’t made it through a full season since 2018 (one of just two times in his eight-year career that’s happened). With the Patriots’ QB situation off the rails at the moment, a move that depletes the offensive line — regardless of how Patriots fans feel about Wynn — may not be in their best interest.
Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to Ravens for two middle-round picks
Jones’ why: There’s no way the Ravens will keep pace with the Chiefs and the Bills if they don’t get Lamar Jackson some more consistent and impactful weapons. Jeudy, who has averaged 17 yards or better per catch in two of his three NFL seasons, definitely helps fill this need. Jeudy has been mentioned as a potential target for Green Bay, but the Packers brass and Rodgers may prefer a veteran. The Giants and Rams also have been mentioned as potential destinations for Jeudy, but Baltimore and Jackson need someone like him in the worst way.
GO DEEPER
NFL trade deadline picks for all 32 teams: Jerry Jeudy, Cam Akers and more
Howe’s why not: I’m all in on this one. I can’t even give a “why not.” The Ravens’ offense has a heavy emphasis on game-breaking plays, either with Jackson or the athletic skill players, and Jeudy would add to that. It could also be a nice negotiating tactic for general manager Eric DeCosta to show Jackson they’ll make moves to improve the offensive talent around him. Jeudy hasn’t taken off in Denver, but who really has since he got there in 2020? He has made a handful of plays that validated the talent the football world saw from him at Alabama, and he’d have a terrific chance to resurrect that potential in Baltimore.
The Lions seem unlikely to trade tight end T.J. Hockenson. But would a first-round pick get a deal done? (Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA Today)
Jeff Howe’s three trade proposals
Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson to Bucs for 2023 first-round pick, 2024 fourth-round pick
Howe’s why: OK, so there’s no reason to believe Hockenson is on the trade block, but this would be a tough offer for the Lions to ignore. They already have the inside track on a top-five pick with their own draft selection, which should be used on a quarterback, and another first-rounder from the Rams. Throw in a third opening-round pick, and the Lions would control the draft board. Maybe they’d even get lucky enough to get a quarterback and — possibly through another trade — Alabama pass rusher Will Anderson to pair up with Aidan Hutchinson. For the Bucs, their offensive issues can’t be traced to a singular spot, but the lack of a star-caliber tight end certainly hasn’t helped. Hockenson is under contract through his fifth-year option in 2023, so that’s important, too. Aside from getting their offense going as soon as possible, the Bucs also have to be thinking about Tom Brady’s future. Brady, an impending free agent who can’t be tagged, could simply choose to retire, or maybe he’ll be concerned that the offense can’t be fixed in its current state and look to play elsewhere. It’s conceivable the addition of Hockenson could play a part in swaying that decision.
Jones’ why not: That’s a steep price, and considering that they may have to use a first-rounder on a quarterback next season, I don’t see the Bucs forking over that much. Yes, a tight end of Hockenson’s caliber would help. But not at that price.
Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb to Cowboys for 2023 and 2024 third-round pick
Howe’s why: The Cowboys boast the league’s most tenacious defense, and Chubb might be the most dangerous defender on the trade block. Dallas will remain as dangerous as Micah Parsons allows them to be, but the addition of Chubb would create yet another headache for opposing offenses. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn could build the pass rush around DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong and Chubb, then give Parsons even more freedom to move around. As for the Broncos, Chubb is still worth building around, but their defense will remain solid regardless and they need to recoup draft assets after the Russell Wilson trade. If they don’t believe Chubb will sign an extension after the season — or if they believe he’ll exceed their budget — it makes sense to move him now.
GO DEEPER
Broncos players on Bradley Chubb trade talk: ‘Hope he’s with us for a long time’
Jones’ why not: Man, an already beastly Cowboys defense gets even more dangerous, huh? I like it, but there could be even more desperate teams in pursuit of Chubb. One? The Rams, who still badly miss Von Miller and would like to add a pass-rusher at the deadline. They don’t have a first-round pick to dangle, but they do have a second- and a third-rounder in 2023.
Falcons center Matt Hennessy, Ravens guard Ben Cleveland, Bengals guard Jackson Carman, Patriots right tackle Isaiah Wynn, Eagles left tackle Andre Dillard to Rams
Falcons receive: 2023 sixth-round pick
Ravens receive: 2023 sixth-round pick
Bengals receive: 2023 seventh-round pick
Patriots receive: 2024 fourth-round pick
Eagles receive: 2024 third-round pick
Howe’s why: We had to search through some old storage closets to find some of the Rams’ spare draft picks, and they do have additional late-round assets due to prior trades. Granted, they might never draft again, but Southern California is a beautiful place to explore in late April anyway. Back on track, no, it’s not realistic to believe the Rams will overhaul their entire offensive line in the middle of the season, but this option exists if they’re willing to go the extremely unconventional route. Their line has let them down during their 3-3 start, and it’s an area that hasn’t gotten enough attention in recent drafts, so they can borrow from future drafts to get themselves heading in a better direction. The Athletic’s beat reporters stockpiled a list of trade candidates last week, and they coincidentally included two tackles, two guards and a center. It all fell into place.
Jones’ why not: Hold up! You just pooh-poohed my Wynn to the Rams idea, so I’m saying absolutely not. Your deal doesn’t work! Haha, in all seriousness, I like the aggressive mindset in completely overhauling the entire offensive line, but I don’t see this happening. I think the Rams would like to address both sides of the ball, and they have only a limited number of draft picks to acquire talent. So, one offensive lineman, yes. And then a pass-rusher, which may require multiple picks to secure.
(Top photo of Brandin Cooks: Cooper Neill / Getty Images)
On Tuesday, Vegas Golden Knights winger Phil Kessel will set the NHL record for consecutive games played at 990. He joins a who’s who of athletes who are known for their longevity.
The 35-year-old Kessel, who will surpass Keith Yandle, has played for five teams in his 16-year NHL career. He won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Here are the players who own the ironperson moniker across sports.
MLB
Ironman: Cal Ripken Jr.
Streak: 2,632 games played
Who he surpassed: Lou Gehrig (2,130 games)
Ripken’s pursuit of Gehrig’s mark is considered the gold standard for these records because it required Ripken to never take a day off for long travel, or for a day game after a night game or, you know, just to take a break. Ripken, who played his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles, played over 8,200 innings.
A person born the day the streak began in 1982 could have been a licensed driver in most states when it ended in 1998.
Anyone close? Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson has played in 296 consecutive games. Last season, he was one of only two players who played in all 162 games of the regular season.
NBA
Ironman: A.C. Green
Streak: 1,192 games played
Who he surpassed: Randy Smith (906 games)
With the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, Green was the team’s top rebounder — leading the Lakers in boards for six of his eight seasons in L.A. He won three NBA championships with the Lakers and also played for the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat.
Green’s streak, which began in 1986 and lasted until 2001, spanned parts of four different presidential administrations.
Anyone close? Mikal Bridges, the 26-year-old small forward, is about 800 games behind Green. In an era when NBA players have planned time off, Green’s streak might stand awhile.
WNBA
Ironwoman: A’ja Wilson
Streak: 98 games and counting
Wilson has played pretty much nonstop since entering the league with the Las Vegas Aces in 2018. In that time she has won two MVPs, played in four WNBA All-Star Games and won the 2022 WNBA title.
That number counts only WNBA games. Wilson played one season with the Shaanxi (China) Red Wolves. She also played in two FIBA World Cups and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, winning gold medals in all three events.
NFL
Ironman: Brett Favre
Streak: 299 games and 297 consecutive starts.
Punter Jeff Feagles has played in more games (352), but Favre is recognized as the NFL’s ironman. Favre, who made starts with the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings, is one of four QBs to have started 200 or more consecutive games.
Within the 297 starts, Favre played with a variety of injuries, such as shoulder separations, sprained ankles, tendonitis and broken bones. He kept the streak alive by playing one day after his father died. In that game, he threw four touchdown passes in the first half.
Anyone close? This record is one of the few for QBs not owned by Tom Brady. However, Brady is the active leader for consecutive QB starts at 93. For non-quarterbacks, long snapper JJ Jansen, who is 36-years-old, has played in 216 consecutive games.
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The hit that Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers took on the final play of Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants in London kept him out of practice on Wednesday but should not affect his status for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.
Giants linebacker Oshane Ximines sacked Rodgers on a Hail Mary attempt. He hit Rodgers’ throwing arm and forced a fumble. Rodgers could be seen flexing his right hand as he walked off the field.
“In the moment, you’ve still kind of got the adrenaline going,” Rodgers said Wednesday of the hit. “Once the adrenaline wore off and got on the bus, got back to the airport, got on the plane, I knew it was banged up a little bit but it’s gotten better every day.”
“He’s not going to practice today,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said before Wednesday’s practice. “But I don’t think we have much concern as far as game day.”
Rodgers said he spent most of the practice time doing rehab work on his thumb.
“I’ll try and get back out there and practice tomorrow and see how it feels and be fine by Sunday I’m sure,” Rodgers said.
Jordan Love handled the starting quarterback snaps in practice.
Rodgers is 3-0 in his career against the Jets but is off to a slow start. His QBR of 44.6 is the lowest through the first five games of a season that it has been in his career.
“Well, I think I’m playing as well as I can at times. I expect that typical stretch coming up at some point where we get really hot. Hopefully it starts this week. But I think that’s right around the corner,” Rodgers said, when asked whether he has played up to his standards.
The Packers are looking to avoid their first 3-3 start since 2012 in a game that pits LaFleur against his brother, Mike (the Jets’ offensive coordinator), and one his best friends in Jets coach Robert Saleh.
GREEN BAY, Wis. — New England Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer, who was starting in place of the injured Mac Jones, was knocked out of Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers on the second series after taking a hard hit on a sack.
Hoyer was evaluated for a head injury and, at the start of the second quarter, the team announced he wouldn’t return.
Rookie Bailey Zappe, the fourth-round pick out of Western Kentucky, took over for Hoyer.
The Patriots don’t have any other quarterbacks on their 53-man roster. One of their emergency options, receiver Jakobi Meyers, is inactive for Sunday’s game due to a knee injury.
On the play Hoyer was injured, Packers linebacker Rashan Gary surged off the edge against right tackle Isaiah Wynn and barreled into the 36-year-old QB.
Hoyer went into the pop-up blue medical tent on the sideline, and after about five minutes, emerged from the tent and walked to the locker room for further evaluation. Hoyer had directed a 10-play, 56-yard opening drive that culminated in a 37-yard field goal to give the Patriots an early 3-0 lead.
He was playing in place of Jones, who suffered a high left ankle sprain at the end of a Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Hoyer wasn’t the only player to leave the game with an injury, as tight end Jonnu Smith limped off late in the second quarter and went to the locker room for evaluation. He is questionable to return with an ankle injury.
Also Sunday, Packers safety Adrian Amos was ruled out in the first half with a concussion.
Week 4 of the NFL season is here, and teams continue to assess injuries to their players ahead of game time.
The San Francisco 49ers have suffered another blow to their offense, as star left tackle Trent Williams is expected to be out four to six weeks with an ankle injury. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair will miss time after he sprained an MCL against the Denver Broncos. The New York Giants also lost a key offensive player after wide receiver Sterling Shepard tore an ACL against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday, ending his season.
The New England Patriots will be without quarterback Mac Jones, who suffered a high ankle sprain last week against the Baltimore Ravens. Veteran Brian Hoyer will start Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. He has lost 11 consecutive starts.
In more positive news, New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson is expected to make his 2022 debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Wilson has been out since the first game of the preseason because of a torn meniscus and a bone bruise in his right knee.
Our NFL Nation reporters have more updates on key players entering the weekend:
Quick links: Schedule | Depth charts | PickCenter
Injury: Knee
Patterson is officially listed as questionable on the team’s injury report, but he told ESPN on Friday that he plans on playing against the Cleveland Browns.
“I feel like I’m going to play every Sunday, no matter what the situation is,” Patterson said. “I plan on playing Sunday and we all know that’s the plan.”
Patterson, the NFL’s third-leading rusher, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and was listed as a “resting player/knee.” He returned to practice Friday, did work on a limited basis and then was listed as questionable with a knee injury.
Coach Arthur Smith said Friday that Patterson “looked good,” but that he would assess Patterson’s status Saturday.
— Michael Rothstein
Injury: Ankle
Stanley, who is officially listed as questionable, said he’s “really close” to returning after missing 31 of the past 32 games. He was given a rest day Friday after fully practicing the previous two days. The Ravens could use the 2019 All-Pro left tackle to protect Lamar Jackson’s blind side. If Stanley can’t play, Baltimore would turn to rookie fourth-round pick Daniel Faalele to block Von Miller.
— Jamison Hensley
Injury: Quad
Barring a setback, McCaffrey should be able to go on Sunday after missing Wednesday and Thursday’s practices. McCaffrey returned to practice Friday in a limited role, and coach Matt Rhule said he was “hopeful” his star would be ready. McCaffrey gave no indication he wouldn’t be ready. “I feel great,” he said.
— David Newton
Injury: Knee
Let’s call this take two. It seemed like Gallup would make his debut last Monday against the New York Giants but he wanted some more time to feel right before coming back. He has had another week of full practices, although the Cowboys were not in pads at all this week. Gallup said he needed to clear a mental hurdle in coming back from the surgery. It appears he is trending toward playing vs. Washington, but he will work his way into the lineup on a snap count. They will not give him the full assortment of plays right away, so Noah Brown will continue as the No. 2 receiver with Gallup seeing something of a situational role. Tight end Dalton Schultz is also trending in the right direction of playing after missing the Giants game with a knee sprain. He has worn a brace in practice, and like Gallup, he might be limited in the number of snaps he plays until he is all the way back.
— Todd Archer
Injury: Groin
Patriots backup quarterback Brian Hoyer might have it a little easier if the Packers’ best coverage defensive back doesn’t play. Alexander dropped out of last week’s game at Tampa Bay, did not appear to do much in practice all week and is questionable for Sunday. Rasul Douglas moved from the slot to the outside after Alexander’s injury, and Keisean Nixon filled in in the slot.
— Rob Demovsky
Injury: Back
Leonard is listed as questionable for the first time this season after being ruled out in the previous three games. The recovery from Leonard’s offseason back surgery has lingered, but the tide turned this week.
“He’s had three pretty good days, continued to make progress,” coach Frank Reich said. “So, let’s see how he responds.”
If Leonard plays, the Colts might consider limiting his snaps. “The original thought was he would probably start out on a pitch count, but you don’t want to limit yourself. You just take it day by day and case by case and you kind of adapt as you go,” Reich said.
Injury: Elbow
Buckner is considered questionable and has been severely limited this week. But his history of playing while injured suggests that he’ll find a way to show up on Sunday. Buckner has missed just one game due to injury in his seven seasons.
Injury: Ankle
The Colts’ starting free safety will miss Sunday’s game with an ankle sprain, a development that will likely press seventh-round pick Rodney Thomas II into action. Thomas played well in last week’s game after Blackmon left the contest and impressed coaches.
— Stephen Holder
Injury: Hamstring
Allen suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1, was inactive in Week 2 and 3 and will remain on the sideline Sunday when the Chargers play the Texans. Earlier in the week, coach Brandon Staley expressed growing confidence that Allen would return in Week 4, but said Friday that the veteran receiver “felt something” during individual workouts, so he has been ruled out.
From 2018-2020, Brett Favre’s charitable foundation, Favre 4 Hope, which has a stated mission to support disadvantaged children and cancer patients, donated more than $130,000 to the University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Foundation during the same years that Favre was working to finance a new volleyball center at the school.
Favre, a Southern Mississippi alumnus, is embroiled in a welfare scandal — extensively reported by nonprofit watchdog Mississippi Today — in which millions of dollars earmarked for people in need were misappropriated. Favre received $1.1 million for speeches he did not make, according to a state auditor report and court documents, and was instrumental in moving more than $5 million in welfare dollars toward the building of the volleyball facility while his daughter was a player on the USM volleyball team. He is among dozens of individuals and organizations being sued by the state. Favre paid back the $1.1 million, though the state says he still owes $228,000 in interest. He has not been charged with wrongdoing and posted on social media that he did not know where the funding for the volleyball facility came from.
In the same years Favre was soliciting money to build the volleyball facility, his charitable foundation, which received public donations, significantly increased its contributions to USM’s athletic fundraising arm. Tax records show that Favre 4 Hope gave the USM Athletic Foundation $60,000 in 2018, when no other charity received more than $10,000.
Payton, the former longtime Saints head coach now serving as a Fox NFL analyst, voiced his displeasure with Rodgers’ body language and comments during and after the Packers’ Week 1 loss to the Vikings.
“It drives me crazy,” Payton said on the “NFL Rhodes Show”. “It drives me crazy.”
Rodgers has notably been critical of the team’s young receiving group, which lost Davante Adams when the Packers traded him to the Raiders in a blockbuster this offseason. During the preseason, Rodgers said “the young guys, especially young receivers, we’ve got to be way more consistent. A lot of drops, a lot of bad route decisions, running the wrong route. We’ve got to get better in that area.”
That sentiment has now carried into the regular season, which saw rookie receiver Christian Watson drop an easy, wide-open would-be 75-yard touchdown in the beginning of the loss.
“There’s going to be growing pains,” Rodgers said after the game. “This is real football, it counts. It’s different, there’s nerves. … We’ve got to make those plays.”
Sean Payton, Aaron RodgersUSA TODAY Sports (2)
Those comments rubbed Payton the wrong way, who would have preferred Rodgers take accountability instead of shift blame onto rookies and young players.
“After the game we go to the interview in the locker room and the very first question posed to Aaron was about bouncing back and he referenced the first play of the game, the dropped pass from a rookie,” Payton said. “And I thought, ‘Come on.’ I like Aaron Rodgers, but I didn’t like what I saw.”
The Brett Favre-Mississippi welfare scandal reached new heights on Monday with released text messages once again linking Favre to the misuse of the state’s welfare funds for a volleyball stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Favre is accused of attempting to funnel $5million into the new complex built at his alma mater of Southern Miss, where his daughter was playing volleyball in 2018 in collaboration with former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and Nancy New.
Mississippi Today’s Anna Wolfe revealed alleged text messages shared by the attorney of New, a nonprofit founder who has pled guilty for federal wire fraud relating to a widespread $77million misuse of funds from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
The texts reportedly show Bryant guiding Favre on how to write a funding proposal that would be accepted by the Mississippi Department of Human Service.
One of the text messages show former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, asking New, who has since pleaded guilty to a litany of state and federal charges over the scheme, for assistance as it pertained to Favre and his ‘project.’
‘Just left Brett Favre,’ Bryant texted New in July, 2019. ‘Can we help him with his project. We should meet soon to see how I can make sure we keep your projects on course.’
When Favre asked Bryant how the new agency director might affect their plans to fund the volleyball stadium, Bryant assured him: ‘I will handle that… long story but had to make a change. But I will call Nancy and see what it will take.’
According to the report, involved parties managed to find a loophole regarding the expenditure of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds, in which the Mississippi Department of Human Services put forth $4m toward the facility upgrade.
Favre has reportedly been questioned by the FBI over a $1.1million payment made to him.
Brett Favre has been accused of getting welfare money to build a college volleyball facility
The text messages also show Favre asking New, in August 2017: ‘Is there anyway the media can find out where it came from and how much?’
New rejected these claims in a follow-up text. She is said to be assisting prosecutors in the civil case as part of her plea deal, according to Mississippi Today.
Favre has reportedly been questioned by the FBI for his alleged involvement in the welfare fraud case.
He was paid $1.1million for promoting the volleyball initiative and in a text to New — according to Wolfe — said he ‘could record a few radio spots’ and ‘whatever compensation could go to USM.’
Favre is an NFL Hall of Famer and Super Bowl winner in 1998 (pictured) with the Packers
The Green Bay Packers legend, 52, who has not been accused of a crime, was said to have been paid the cash in 2017 and 2018, as part of the wider $70million scandal – along with a professional wrestler, a horse farm and the aforementioned volleyball complex.
NBC News reported that Favre, who has since given back the $1.1m but not the $228,000 in interest being demanded by a Mississippi state auditor, has indeed spoken to FBI regarding the case.
Favre has previously defended himself on social media, posting in October 2021 that he was unaware where the money had come from, and that he believed he was being paid for taking part in three years of commercials.
It is alleged that the money paid to Favre came from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) welfare fund, and came at the direction of former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant. Bryant has also denied knowing the cash came from welfare money.
Favre has paid back the $1.1m and claims he believed the money was for commercials he was in
Speaking on Twitter, Favre said last year: ‘I am doing all that I can to support this investigation to make things right for the people of Mississippi and I have shared all that I know, which is that I was paid for three years of commercials that I did, and I paid taxes on the money, as I should.
‘Of course the money was returned because I would never knowingly take funds meant to help our neighbors in need, but for Shad White to continue to push out this lie that the money was for no-show events is something I cannot stay silent about.’
Shad White is the state auditor who first discovered the misspending and fraud, according to the report.
In late July, a Mississippi state lawyer was fired after issuing a subpoena to see whether ex-NFL star Brett Favre faked a $5million donation relating to the 2018 construction of USM’s volleyball arena.
Part of the subpoena Pigott filed looked into a $5million check that went toward the facility.
Pigott told the New York Times that Favre had agreed to donate $5million for the building’s construction.
But the investigator – a former federal prosecutor – claims Favre instead asked for the $5million to be paid from the Mississippi Community Education Center, which was caught for misusing welfare funds in April.
Favre is a Super Bowl champion and three-time NFL MVP who played for the Falcons, Packers, Jets and Vikings, but is most famous for his 15 years as quarterback in Green Bay.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
The Packers quarterback, whose refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine became a national story last year, was on “The Joe Rogan Experience” Saturday when the topic came up. Rodgers, who told reporters he was “immunized” last year, admitted that the phrasing was intentionally misleading.
“I’d been ready the entire time for this question and had thought about how I wanted to answer it,” Rodgers said. “And I had come to the conclusion, I’m gonna say, ‘I’ve been immunized.’ And if there’s a follow-up, then talk about my process.
“But, thought there’s a possibility that I say, ‘I’m immunized,’ maybe they understand what that means, maybe they don’t. Maybe they follow up. They didn’t follow up. So then I go [into] the season them thinking, some of them, that I was vaccinated.”
Rodgers was referring to homeopathic medicine he took as a means of immunization, but he further contributed to the perception that he was vaccinated by speaking maskless at press conferences when only vaccinated players were allowed to do so.
When Rodgers eventually tested positive for COVID, the story blew up.
Aaron Rodgers (r.) speaking with Joe Rogan (l.) on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast.YouTube/The Joe Rogan ExperienceAaron Rodgers participates in pregame warmups before a preseason game against the Chiefs.Getty Images
“I knew at some point if I contracted COVID or if word got out, because it’s the NFL and there’s leaks everywhere, it was possible I’d have to answer the questions,” Rodgers said. “And that’s when the s–tstorm hit because now I’m a liar, I’m endangering the community, my teammates, all these people. And the attempted takedown of me and my word and my integrity began.”
