The long waiting for the Green Bay Packers and Packers fans everywhere is over. Quarterback Brett Favre informed the team that he will return for the 2006 season.
Favre contacted general manager Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy on Tuesday morning to inform them that he wanted to return for a 15th season in green and gold.
The 36-year-old has been undecided as to whether or not to retire since the end of last season. As a result, the team had delayed paying him a roster bonus of $3 million pending his final decision.
The Packers finished a dismal 4-12 in an injury plagued 2005. Favre was not sure if he wanted to return for another season unless the Packers had a chance to contend for the Super Bowl. The off-season appeared to develop into a game of chicken with Favre waiting for the Packers to make a big splash in free agency and the Packers waiting for Favre to make up his mind. In the end, Favre decided to return.
In a statement, Packers GM Ted Thompson said, 'The Green Bay Packers are very pleased that Brett has come to this decision, and look forward to a successful 2006 season.'
Favre did not make any public comments about his decision.
Favre is closing in on some major NFL records. The Kiln, Mississippi, native needs to throw 25 touchdown passes to break Dan Marino's league record of 420. He is also just 290 completions away from Marino's NFL record of 4,967. Favre has also started 221 consecutive games for the Packers, 241 including the playoffs and is closing in on third place all-time on the consecutive games started list.
While the Packers may not have signed any big ticket free agents this off-season, their prospects for 2006 just improved significantly with the return of Brett Favre.
