Green Bay Packers extend contract for Ted Thompson

Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy should be a happy man today … not because his team is looking sharp in the early goings of training camp, not because it’s his birthday and not because he won the lottery – no, he should be happy because the Packers announced they have signed general manager Ted Thompson to a new contract.

Though the numbers weren’t released with the announcement, that shouldn’t matter as much to McCarthy as it does to Thompson, who would probably work for free.

“Mark Murphy and I have had ongoing conversations, general-type conversations. Felt very appreciated by organization,” Thompson told reporters this afternoon.

But to get back to McCarthy, you might remember back a ways that there was talk about renewing Mike McCarthy’s contract at some point in the near future. However, it was also announced at some point around that time that McCarthy’s contract wouldn’t be considered until Thompson was re-signed.

Either way, it’s good to see the Packers doing things the right way – extending from within.

Well, we have our answer on that … clearly, it’s now McCarthy’s turn.

However, the team shouldn’t forget about Randall Cobb …

In the meantime, here’s what Thompson said about the possibility of extending McCarthy’s contract:  “Big priority. It’s been the plan the whole time.”

Either way, it’s good to see the Packers doing things the right way – extending from within. Keeping your best players and administrators in the house will go a long way toward future success of the organization.

The Packers PR department released this official release announcing the new contract for Thompson.

Ted Thompson

Raymond T. Rivard photograph

PACKERS GENERAL MANAGER TED THOMPSON SIGNED TO NEW CONTRACT

The Green Bay Packers have signed Ted Thompson, the team’s Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, to a new, multi-year contract, team President/CEO Mark Murphy announced Wednesday.

Thompson, who is entering his 10th season as the leader of the team’s football operations, has built the Packers into one of the NFL’s strongest and most consistent teams. His tenure has been highlighted by a victory in Super Bowl XLV and four NFC North titles, including winning the division each of the last three seasons, marking only the third time the Packers won three consecutive since the league went to a divisional format in 1967.

“I’m pleased that we were able to enter into this contract extension with Ted,” Murphy said. “His outstanding work has been the key factor in the success that we’ve enjoyed in recent years. I have tremendous respect for Ted, and am confident that we will continue to contend for championships under his leadership.”

Since taking over as general manager in 2005, Thompson has built the foundation for a Green Bay team that has made six playoff appearances. The Packers are one of only two NFL clubs (New England) to make the playoffs each of the last five seasons. In Thompson’s first nine seasons, Green Bay finished with a winning record six times and won at least 10 games five times. In 2011, the Packers set a franchise record with 15 regular-season wins. From 2005-13, Green Bay compiled 92 victories, including playoffs, which tied for the fifth most in the NFL over that span. The Packers are one of only eight teams to play in at least 10 postseason games since 2005.

The 61-year-old Thompson is a native of Atlanta, Texas. He was a three-year starter at Southern Methodist University and enjoyed a 10-year playing career as a linebacker with the Houston Oilers (1975-84). Thompson previously served an eight-year tenure with Green Bay’s personnel department (1992-99) and five seasons in Seattle (2000-04) as the Seahawks’ vice president of football operations before re-joining the Packers in 2005.