Unrestricted free-agent quarterback Doug Pederson re-signed with the Green Bay Packers Wednesday, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced.
This marks the fourth consecutive season Green Bay has re-signed Pederson, and third straight (2002-04) as an unrestricted free agent.
Pederson, 36, has spent seven seasons (1995-98, 2001-03) in Green Bay, easily the most of any reserve quarterback during the Brett Favre era. Only Ty Detmer (four seasons, 1992-95) has had more time on the Packers' roster backing up Favre. For four seasons (1998, 2001-03), Pederson has served as the No. 2 quarterback.
A 12th-year veteran, Pederson has played in 48 consecutive Green Bay games, 62 overall with the team, and 96 in his NFL career. During his current tenure, he has filled an invaluable role as the holder for Ryan Longwell's field-goal and extra-point attempts. With Pederson as his holder the last three seasons, Longwell became the franchise's leading career scorer, capturing one of the team's most revered records. Plus, Pederson has proven a trusted backup during rare occasions when Favre needed to leave with injury, most notably in 2002. In a Packers uniform, Pederson has completed 35 of 54 passes (64.8 percent) for 278 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, a 96.1 passer rating.
In 2003, Pederson completed a 14-yard pass to William Henderson on a fake field-goal try, at Chicago (Sept. 29). Later, in relief of Favre vs. Denver (Dec. 28), he completed a 2-yard pass to Tony Fisher. In training camp Pederson maintained his roster spot, holding off challenger Akili Smith.
A former starter in Philadelphia (1999) and Cleveland (2000), Pederson originally signed as a non-drafted free agent with Miami in 1991. Two years later, he came off the bench to lead the Dolphins to a comeback victory at Philadelphia, making Don Shula the NFL's winningest coach.
Pederson started three seasons in college at Northeast Louisiana.
