Packers Re-Sign Antonio Freeman

Antonio Freeman has re-signed with the Green Bay Packers, who waived him last summer but began courting him when three of their top four receivers were injured in the season opener.

Agent Joel Segal said Freeman signed a one-year deal Wednesday morning.

The Packers were vying for Freeman’s services with several other teams and apparently had to guarantee a good portion of the contract to lure him back to Green Bay, where he played from 1995-2001.

“All along Free had various opportunities to sign with other clubs, but this was just the right time and the right place for him to contribute to a winning team,” Segal said.

“He maintained that his priority was to find a situation where he could contribute and he’s always had an affinity for the Packers.”

Before Wednesday, Freeman, 31, hadn’t suited up since the NFC championship in January. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles last year, when he caught 46 passes for 600 yards and four touchdowns.

Since becoming an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, Freeman had rejected offers from the Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers because he didn’t think he’d play a major role for them.

The Packers called Freeman after starters Donald Driver (neck, concussion) and Robert Ferguson (ankle, knee) and backup Karsten Bailey (hamstring) were injured in their 30-25 loss to Minnesota on Sunday.

That left No. 3 wideout Javon Walker, rookie returner Antonio Chatman and No. 3 tight end David Martin to line up in the closing minutes.

Driver, Ferguson and Bailey all could be out for several weeks.

Freeman caught 57 touchdown passes from Brett Favre between 1995-2001 and the Packers won’t have to waste any time teaching him the West Coast offense or tweaking the routes.

Freeman already is counting $4.3 million against the Packers’ salary cap this season. He was released on June 3, 2002, in the middle of a seven-year, $42 million contract that included a $10 million signing bonus.

If Freeman signed a deal for the veteran’s minimum of $775,000, he would count another $475,000 against the Packers’ cap.

By the time Freeman and the Packers parted ways, his relationship with coach Mike Sherman had deteriorated. But Sherman said Monday that wouldn’t hinder a reunion. “I have no problem with Antonio,” Sherman said.

And Segal said Freeman had let bygones be bygones or he wouldn’t have made a visit to Green Bay on Monday night.

Freeman is the Packers’ fifth all-time leading receiver with 417 catches for 6,510 yards and 57 TDs.