Brett Favre fans across the country are happy today for one reason - he's coming back. Just a few days before Green Bay fans have to suffer seeing the Chicago Bears play in the Super Bowl, Favre announced that he would return to the NFL next season instead of retiring. Packers general manager Ted Thomson was pleased that Favre made his decision much sooner than last season.

"There were fewer uncertainties going into this offseason," Thompson said. "Last year there was a coaching change and other things that I think they had to work through, but you'll have to ask him specifically about that. But all along, I mean, he's a football guy, he's a coach's son, so he understands a football team."

Favre was encouraged with the surprising progress that the Packers made this season, both offensively and defensively. The Packers finished at 8-8, nearly made the playoffs, and crushed the Bears in the final week of the season.

"I am so excited about coming back," the 37-year-old quarterback said Friday on the Web site of the Sun Herald in Biloxi, Miss. "We have a good nucleus of young players. We were 8-8 last year, and that's encouraging."

The Packers will certainly have a shot at being competitive next season. With the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings in partial rebuilding modes, the Packers will look to challenge the NFC Champion Chicago Bears for the NFC North title.

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

Not only the Packers and fans around the country were excited, but so was NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

"He's obviously been an incredible performer for the NFL," said Goodell.

Favre has started a league-record 257 straight games and will definitely be a Hall of Famer. He had some nagging injuries throughout the season, but as always, he is the type of guy who can pick himself up and have fun on a weekly basis. Do you have thoughts on Favre returning to the league? If you do, send me a message below, and you'll be featured in PFC's next mailbag session.