As initially reported by Biloxi Sun-Herald reporter Al Jones, Brett Favre will return for the 2007 season. Favre told Jones of his decision in an exclusive interview Friday morning, "I am so excited about coming back," he told Jones. "We have a good nucleus of young players. We were 8-8 last year and that's encouraging.

"My offensive line looks good, the defense played good down the stretch. I'm excited about playing for a talented young football team."

The Sun-Herald report was subsequently confirmed during an impromptu cell phone call -- broadcast live on the NFL Network -- between Favre and former position coach Steve Mariucci, now an NFL Network analyst.

The Packers then released the following statement from general manager Ted Thompson:

"Brett Favre informed me this morning that he plans to return for a 17th NFL season. The Packers are excited by his decision and look forward to a successful 2007 campaign."

In other words: It's official.

The Packers will hold a press conference later this afternoon to add to Thompson's statement.

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel staffer Tom Silverstein noted earlier this week that there had been some whispers that Favre would like to see the offense upgraded and, perhaps, even have the Packers trade for disgruntled Oakland receiver Randy Moss.

But after a phone conversation with his quarterback earlier this week, head coach Mike McCarthy said the status of the team wasn't on Favre's mind.

"It really has nothing to do with the team," McCarthy explained. "I think Brett's questions last year were with regards to so many new things: new coach, new staff, (new) terminology, new players. The issue of whether to play, from my understanding, really doesn't have anything to do with the team."

During the season, Favre said spending more time with his family would weigh on his mind when making a decision whether to come back.

Indeed, the veteran signal caller told Jones he'd made the decision after consulting with his family at home in Hattiesburg but went on to say he knew he wanted to come back in the locker room after the season finale against the Chicago Bears.

Favre completed 56 percent of his passes in 2006, throwing for 18 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. The Packers finished 8-8 after a disappointing 2005 season where Favre threw 29 interceptions and had his first losing season as a starter.

Green Bay was in the playoff race until the final week of this season.

Favre has started 257 consecutive games including the playoffs, an NFL record for quarterbacks. He broke Dan Marino's record for career completions (4,967) in 2006 and is closing in on Marino's marks for career touchdown passes (420) and yards passing (61,361).

Favre complained about nagging injuries and the drudgery of practice toward the end of last season, then choked back tears as he talked about missing the game and missing his teammates in a television interview immediately after the regular-season finale in Chicago -- leading many to believe he intended to retire.

Apparently, he couldn't resist one more chance to try to lead the Packers back to the playoffs after the Packers won their final four games and was in playoff contention until the final weekend of the regular season.

Favre has led the Packers to 10 postseason appearances, six division titles, three NFC Championship games, two Super Bowls and one championship following the 1996 season.

Count lead receiver Donald Driver among those pleased Favre will return. In a Monday appearance on Chicago radio station WSCR-AM, Driver made his feelings clear.

"I hope he comes back," Driver said, referring to Favre. "I think he still loves it."

Driver said he wanted Favre to return because he wouldn't have to face any learning curve, which would be required with another quarterback. ...

Numerous coaches and current and former players in Miami for this week's Super Bowl XLI festivities have been asked whether they thought Favre should continue to play and almost to a man they said yes. No one said they thought Favre was washed up.

"All I know is that he's a guy that can still perform," said Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis Colts assistant head coach said in a reply representative of the general consensus. "He's one of the great quarterbacks in this league.

"He's an incredible leader. Players gravitate toward him and around him. All of us within this game have a great amount of respect for that guy."

And now they'll all have to contend with him again for at least one more year.