Green Bay, Wis. ? Brett Favre is returning to Green Bay for the 2005 season, Packers coach Mike Sherman told the Associated Press.

Sherman said Thursday he had a two-hour conversation with his quarterback Wednesday night. Favre informed him his wife was doing well in her cancer treatment, so he was planning to play at least one more season, maybe more if his own health held up.

Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre celebrates a touchdown pass against Minnesota in this 2004 photo in Green Bay, Wis. Favre told his coach Wednesday he would return for at least one more season.

“It came down to his wife, and she’s doing well in her recovery,” Sherman said. “She wants him to play. He said he’s looking forward to playing — hopefully without any off-the-field situations and ‘enjoying the journey.”‘

The three-time MVP said after the Packers’ playoff loss to Minnesota in January he wanted to reflect before committing to playing a 15th NFL season following a year of personal tumult.

His wife, Deanna, was diagnosed with breast cancer in October, a week after the death of her 24-year-old brother in an ATV accident on the quarterback’s property in Mississippi.

And Favre still was dealing with the stunning news of Reggie White’s death on the day after Christmas, which came about a year after the death of Favre’s father, Irv, from a heart attack.

“After the season, he just needed to think about some things,” Sherman said. “Any man would have to contemplate his future when his wife is fighting cancer. It’s not like he had to work to make money. He didn’t want to be a part-time husband and a part-time football player. It came down to his wife. If she’s not healthy, it’s obviously a different ballgame. But now she’s doing good. She wants him to play.”