Aaron Rodgers has 'been on forefront' of welcoming back Brett Favre

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he's "kind of been on the forefront" of re-establishing a relationship between the franchise and all-time Packers great Brett Favre.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he's "kind of been on the forefront" of re-establishing a relationship between the franchise and all-time Packers great Brett Favre, Rodgers told the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

The two quarterbacks were teammates from 2005, when Rodgers was taken by Green Bay in the first round of the NFL draft, until 2008, when the Packers parted ways with Favre after he decided to make an NFL comeback several months after announcing his retirement. He went on to play three more seasons, one with the New York Jets and two with the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay's NFC North rival.

The relationship between Favre and the Packers, especially Rodgers, general manager Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy, had been icy ever since his initial retirement saga, with both sides unhappy about how the other handled the situation. But tensions have gradually relaxed, and this week the Packers announced they would retire Favre's jersey and induct him into the team's Hall of Fame.

More from Rodgers:

"I wanted to make sure my voice was out there and behind Brett coming back. I think it's important to bring him back into the fold.

"He's one of the greatest Packers of all-time and one of the greatest NFL players of all-time. It's good to get him back here and hopefully get him here in the fall, as well."

Thompson shared similar sentiments this week as well.

More: Where does Rodgers fall among Top 10 quarterbacks?

Favre is the NFL's all-time leader in completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns.

- Ben Estes