Packers GM Thompson moving into advisory role

Longtime Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson will shift into the role of senior adviser to football operations and the franchise will immediately begin its search for a new GM, the team announced Tuesday.

Thompson has served as general manager since 2005, a stretch including eight straight postseason appearances from 2009-16 (nine total). He helped construct the roster that won Super Bowl XLV, and was named Sporting News' NFL Executive of the Year in 2007 and 2011.

"This is a special place and we’ve had some success along the way, but it’s the relationships that I value most," Thompson said.

"I've been fortunate to have worked with many dedicated people throughout the organization and I can't thank (president) Mark Murphy, (head coach) Mike McCarthy, the football-operations staff, and our scouts enough for their friendship and support. Additionally, I want to thank every player that has stepped on the field for us."

The Packers have reportedly already identified team executives Eliot Wolf, Brian Gutekunst, and Russ Ball as in-house candidates for GM.