“They thought we were idiots”: Ex-Packers coach reveals how Brett Favre launched Andy Reid’s career
Image Credits: May 07, 2020: FILE: BRETT FAVRE is taking steps to return $1.1 MILLION in payments he received from the state of Mississippi for speeches he never made, claiming he had no idea the cash was coming from a welfare program. PICTURED: August 6, 2016 - Canton, Ohio, USA: Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre poses with his bust during the 2016 NFL, American Football Herren, USA Hall of Fame enshrinement at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Canton United States - ZUMAw109 20160806zapw109050 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx ; NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 21: Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on the sideline during a game between the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs, December 21, 2025, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 21 Chiefs at Titans EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251221134
Image Credits: May 07, 2020: FILE: BRETT FAVRE is taking steps to return $1.1 MILLION in payments he received from the state of Mississippi for speeches he never made, claiming he had no idea the cash was coming from a welfare program. PICTURED: August 6, 2016 - Canton, Ohio, USA: Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre poses with his bust during the 2016 NFL, American Football Herren, USA Hall of Fame enshrinement at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Canton United States - ZUMAw109 20160806zapw109050 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx ; NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 21: Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on the sideline during a game between the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs, December 21, 2025, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 21 Chiefs at Titans EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251221134
Former quarterback Brett Favre had just attempted four passes during his lone season with the Atlanta Falcons before the Green Bay Packers traded a first-round pick for him in a largely criticized trade in 1992.
During a recent episode of the Not Just Football with Cam Heyward podcast, former Raiders head coach Jon Gruden revealed how the trade eventually launched the career of NFL coaching legend Andy Reid.
“I knew Favre because he played at Southern Miss against my brother at Louisville, but I don’t know if Andy knew who the hell Favre was,” said Gruden on July 15. “A lot of people were shocked. They thought we were idiots. We stayed in that office the whole off-season, teaching Brett the offense and teaching them communication.”
On the Not Just Football podcast (YouTube @NotJustFootballwithCamHeyward), Gruden went on to explain how the trade went on to play a major role for many involved.
Brett Favre Green Bay Packers, Former Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre. (Scanned from slide)
Brett Favre Green Bay Packers, Former Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre. (Scanned from slide)
“He was the kingmaker,” added Gruden. “Favre is the guy that got all of us jobs cause when he took off, man, he took off. If your quarterback is great, there’s a good chance your team is going to be good, and your coaches are going to be coveted.”
The biggest success from the coaching staff of the time was Andy Reid, who was hired as the assistant offensive line and tight end coach the same year Favre was traded for.
He would soon be a quarterbacks coach. With Reid as the quarterback coach, Favre was able to win two consecutive NFL MVP awards and eventually won the Super Bowl in the 1997 season.
Favre's achievements brought Reid league attention, highlighting his talent for developing quarterbacks.
According to NBC News, this prompted former Packers HC Mike Holmgren to personally recommend Reid for the head coach position with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1998.
While the Packers might not have a quarterback to make such an impact, their current quarterback has been named as a possible first-time All-Pro.
NFL analyst names Packers star QB as possible All-Pro
The Packers have been gifted with many elite-level quarterbacks, such as Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. While the Packers currently have one of the best quarterbacks in the league, Jordan Love has yet to be selected to an All-Pro team.
Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated has named Love as a possible first-time All-Pro. According to Orr, despite being outside the top 12 for passing yards, Love’s ranking of sixth in QB rating and third in QBR is a major indication of his being set for a major leap in outcome.
“Love has been a top-10 quarterback across the board in most major categories - passing yards, passing touchdowns, passer rating, TD percentage, QBR, and touchdown-to-interception ratio - since 2023,” wrote Orr on July 16. “The Fall of Love is upon us.”
However, Orr was skeptical of Love’s supporting cast and how some of his rivals might get the nod over him due to their fame.
“Love, like Caleb Williams, suffers from a pack of stalwarts from perennially popular teams who tend to get the nod by default, or at least get a disproportionate benefit of the doubt, such as Jalen Hurts,” added Orr.
While Love has an uphill battle to get a selection into the All-Pro team, it is still very much possible if he can lead the Packers and have a deep playoff run.
Do you think Love will make an All-Pro team next season? Let us know your opinion in the comments!
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Written by
Dhruv Vishnu Nair
Edited by
Arundhoti Palit