Any thoughts that Brett Favre would change his mind and come out of retirement, like he did last year, were dashed Wednesday afternoon.

Favre officially filed his retirement papers, a Jets official confirmed. It’s something Favre didn’t do last season, keeping hope alive that he always could change his mind.

But already his family and friends are posing the same questions that they have in the past.

“They’ve asked if this is the real deal, and it is, believe me,” Favre said Wednesday during a conference call with reporters. “It’s been a wonderful career. It’s time to leave.”

What made it time was the biceps tendon injury that Favre suffered last season. Were it not for the injury, Favre might be willing to return. But the injury cemented Favre’s decision.

“It progressively got worse throughout the year,” Favre said. “I’m thankful and blessed I withstood so much for so long. It was only a matter of time before something broke down.”

Something did. And now the quarterback who has started an NFL-record 269 straight games will not start anymore.

It’s time to start the next phase of his life.

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