Brett Favre ended months of speculation and announced that he would return to Green Bay and play in the 2005 season. The 35-year-old Favre said the main consideration was the health of his wife Deanna who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Her recovery is going well so Favre said he would return.

After the season, he just needed to think about some things,' Packers head coach Mike Sherman said. 'Any man would have to contemplate his future when his wife is fighting cancer. It's not like he had to work to make money. He didn't want to be a part-time husband and a part-time football player. It came down to his wife. If she's not healthy, it's obviously a different ball game. But now she's doing good. She wants him to play.'

The Kiln, Mississippi native threw for over 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2005 to lead the Packers to their third consecutive NFC North title. However, a sub-par performance in the first round of the playoffs and numerous personal issues had Favre contemplating retirement.

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle was ecstatic about the news. 'Like all Packers fans, I am thrilled that Brett Favre will be returning to action next season for the green and gold,' Doyle said. 'He is probably the greatest quarterback of all time, and as long as he's around, the Packers will always be contenders. On behalf of Packer fans everywhere, I thank Brett Favre today for giving us one more reason to cheer.'

The 2005 season may not be Favre's last, according to Sherman. 'As long as he can play at a Brett Favre level, he will,' Sherman said, 'unless some situation off the field, outside of football, affects him or his family.'

The Packers also announced the release of starting safety Darren Sharper Thursday. Sharper was a salary cap casualty as he was due a $2.6 million roster bonus this weekend. Sharper struggled with injuries in 2004 and his play had dropped from his previous all-pro level. The Packers determined that the 29-year-old counted too much against the salary cap to retain.