During a telephone conversation Thursday with Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson, quarterback Brett Favre conveyed he is planning to return to the team and report to training camp this weekend.
If he follows through on his plans, Favre is expected to fax a letter seeking reinstatement to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as early as Friday, before the Packers report to camp on Saturday.
However, just because Favre is now planning to return to the Packers, that doesn't mean the saga is over. This is a story that has had so many twists and turns, it is conceivable it could change again. It has repeatedly in the four months since Favre announced his retirement.
At any point this summer, with the situation as tenuous as it is, Favre still could decide to walk away from the game again or Green Bay could decide to trade him to one of the teams it spoke with this week. But for now, Favre is planning to go back to the Packers with the intention of spending this season with them.
There is plenty of smoothing over to be done, however that process already has kicked off. The conversation between Favre and Thompson was said to be cordial and professional, and the Packers recognize that they are a better team with their iconic quarterback on the roster.
Thompson even said during Thursday's annual shareholders meeting that families have disagreements, but they overcome them. Now the Packers and Favre are trying to do just that.
Favre will try to return to the life that he has known and loved in Green Bay. He never sold his house there, never removed the furniture from the house, never moved his cars from the area.
But there will be an adjustment on the football field. The Packers had appointed Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback and Favre will have to beat him out this summer, an idea once as unthinkable as Favre being traded. With a base salary of $12 million, Favre could become the most expensive backup in the history of football.
