Green Bay, WI (Best E Casino) - NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre on Sunday and the team has reluctantly welcomed him back to the fold.

Earlier on Sunday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Goodell called Packers president Mark Murphy Sunday morning to tell him he has reinstated Favre and that the Packers have until noon 1 p.m. (et) Monday to create a roster spot for him.

Murphy released a statement later on Sunday announcing Favre's return and welcoming him back to the team.

"Sixteen years after Brett Favre came to the Packers, he is returning for a seventeenth season," said Murphy. "He has had a great career with our organization and although we built this year around the assumption that Brett meant what he said about retiring, Brett is coming back. We will welcome him back and turn this situation to our advantage."

A private plane carrying Favre and his wife Deanna arrived in Green Bay just after 8:04 p.m. (et) Sunday night.

Favre is scheduled to take a physical and a conditioning test Monday before being put on the roster.

Still, things may not be as rosy at they seem. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on its Web site late Sunday night that a trade remains a strong possibility and the Packers have had preliminary contact with division rival Minnesota, something Murphy said was out of the question earlier.

Favre is friends with Minnesota head coach Brad Childress as well as offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and it's believed the signal caller would like to play with the Vikings this season.

Reports earlier in the week indicated that Favre was considering accepting a huge monetary package, to be paid for a lifetime non-playing role with the Packers, to remain retired.

Favre faxed his letter requesting reinstatement to the league on Tuesday of last week.

The 38-year-old Favre retired in early March at a tear-filled press conference, but since then he's had the itch to return for a 17th season. He met Wednesday with Murphy in Mississippi.

After Favre's retirement, Aaron Rodgers was given the starting QB job, a position the Packers haven't backed off.