Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur and new offensive line coach Adam Stenavich are already familiar with Madison. As the assistant offensive line coach last year in San Francisco, Stenavich worked out Madison at his high school before last year's draft, while LaFleur scouted him a little as the offensive coordinator in Tennessee.

Gutekunst believes Madison will fit in as well, if not better, into LaFleur's offense than what the Packers ran last year. Generally speaking, however, Gutekunst is just thrilled to have him back.

"It was great to see Cole back in the building and doing some football things again. That was a really, really pleasant surprise," Gutekunst said. "I think he was very appreciative about the way we handled things last year. We're excited to see what he can do for us because he had a really good offseason last year before everything transpired. Very optimistic."

Count Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers also among those who were happy to see Madison return to the team, though he didn't initially recognize the 6-foot-5, 308-pound offensive lineman after he cut off his trademark long hair.

"Yeah it's great to see Cole back," Rodgers said. "He's a Packer and it's important that he feels like this is home and we're definitely doing everything we can to make him feel comfortable."

If Madison had to do everything over again, he says he wouldn't do anything differently. "It was the greatest decision I think I ever made," he said. He's in a better place now and remains appreciative of the patient approach the Packers took with him.

In his own words, "They had my back, I'll have their back now."

And as for the fire to continue playing football?