Packers, Driver agree on restructured deal

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Donald Driver has returned to the Packers for the beginning of a 14th season in Green Bay.

Driver, the Packers' all-time leading receiver who is coming off a recent victory on "Dancing with the Stars," was wearing his No. 80 jersey for the start of the team's second week of offseason training activities. Earlier in the day, Driver finalized a restructured contract to remain in Green Bay.

"I'll retire as a Packer, and that's all that really matters," Driver said after practice. "It's done. I'm a Packer for life. I'm happy. I had to get back to football. I was ready. I had a lot of fun just being around the guys back in the locker room. I love it."

Driver's agent, Jordan Woy, originally confirmed the news of his return to FOXSportsWisconsin.com in an email Wednesday morning.

"He has agreed to terms," Woy wrote. "Hasn't been reviewed or signed yet."

Driver, along with veteran cornerback Charles Woodson, were the only two players who did not participate in the beginning of organized training activities last week. Driver's absence was due to his involvement in "Dancing with the Stars."

Last week, coach Mike McCarthy said he expected Driver to report to Green Bay by the end of May, ending months of speculation as to whether the team would take him back as his role in the Packers' offense continues to diminish with age.

Driver's return to the Packers required a pay cut, with the 37-year-old receiver originally set to count $5 million against Green Bay's 2012 salary cap. Though Driver would not discuss the terms of the revised contract Wednesday, it likely will be for approximately half that amount, somewhere in the $2 million range.

"I'm going to embrace every moment of it, and when it's all said and done, I can know that one day I'll be in the Packers Hall of Fame, and that's something special," Driver said.

Driver, who spent several years as a No. 1 wideout with the Packers, could end up being a fourth or fifth option among the team's five receivers. With Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson set to be the two starters and young speedster Randall Cobb certain to be given more snaps in the 2012 season, Driver is no longer expected to be the 1,000-yard receiver he once was.

"I'm a Packer, and that's all that matters," Driver said.

Follow Paul Imig on Twitter.