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Harlan: We're close to contract extension for Thompson
By Rob Demovsky
rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com
The Green Bay Packers are close to a contract extension for General Manager Ted Thompson, and there’s a strong chance it could be finished before the season is over.
Team Chairman Bob Harlan said today the deal could get done before Mark Murphy, the Packers’ incoming president and chief executive officer, takes over on Jan. 1.
Murphy was introduced today after the team’s board of directors approved him during a meeting earlier in the day, but Murphy had been aware of Harlan’s desire to extend Thompson’s contract for several weeks and gave it his stamp of approval.
“I think we’re pretty close,” Harlan said. “Ted doesn’t even like to use the word ‘negotiations.’ We’re having conferences between the two of us, and I think we’ll get it done. I think I’ve got a chance (to complete the deal before the season ends), I really do.
“I told Mark that was the process we were in, and he said, ‘I’m fine with that.’”
How Murphy and Thompson get along is one of the foremost issues involved in the transition of power from Harlan.
“I don’t see it being an issue,” Harlan said.
Thompson is in his third year as GM and is under contract through 2009.
Thompson also has begun preliminary discussions with coach Mike McCarthy about a contract extension. The second-year coach is under contract through 2008.
By Rob Demovsky
rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com
The Green Bay Packers are close to a contract extension for General Manager Ted Thompson, and there’s a strong chance it could be finished before the season is over.
Team Chairman Bob Harlan said today the deal could get done before Mark Murphy, the Packers’ incoming president and chief executive officer, takes over on Jan. 1.
Murphy was introduced today after the team’s board of directors approved him during a meeting earlier in the day, but Murphy had been aware of Harlan’s desire to extend Thompson’s contract for several weeks and gave it his stamp of approval.
“I think we’re pretty close,” Harlan said. “Ted doesn’t even like to use the word ‘negotiations.’ We’re having conferences between the two of us, and I think we’ll get it done. I think I’ve got a chance (to complete the deal before the season ends), I really do.
“I told Mark that was the process we were in, and he said, ‘I’m fine with that.’”
How Murphy and Thompson get along is one of the foremost issues involved in the transition of power from Harlan.
“I don’t see it being an issue,” Harlan said.
Thompson is in his third year as GM and is under contract through 2009.
Thompson also has begun preliminary discussions with coach Mike McCarthy about a contract extension. The second-year coach is under contract through 2008.
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