With the Packers on the brink of playing for their first Super Bowl since losing to the Denver Broncos and John Elway in Superbowl XXXII, it appears that the resentment felt for Ted Thompson after trading away Brett Favre in 2008 is almost all but dissipated.
Favre led the Packers to back-to-back Super Bowls, beating the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI. After losing the NFC Championship game to the New York Giants at Lambeau Field in 2008, Favre retired in March--only to announce his intent to play later that summer.
Thompson promptly traded Favre to the New York Jets for a conditional fourth round pick, which had the opportunity to improve depending on the Jets finish in the 2008 season.
Thompson's decision to trade Favre and go with young gun Aaron Rodgers upset most of Packer Nation. However, Thompson didn't only start a superstar career for one Packer--but two.
First off, Aaron Rodgers has done nothing but impress in his three seasons starting for the Packers. Serving as Brett Favre's understudy for three seasons allowed Rodgers to learn the offense and be successful in his first season as a starter even if it did not translate into a great overall season for the Packers. (They finished 6-10 in 2008)
Two years later, Rodgers is 3-1 in the playoffs and is about to play in his first Super Bowl game.
So, who could that other superstar be?
Clay Matthews.
Oh yeah. He may just win the Defensive Player of the Year this season.
Let's recap:
1) Thompson trades Favre to the Jets for a conditional fourth round pick in the 2009 draft.
2) Favre plays over 50% of the snaps for the Jets improving the Packers selection to a third round pick.
3) New England trades its 23rd overall selection to Baltimore for the 26th and 162nd overall selection. Baltimore selects Michael Oher. (A superstar in his own right)
4) The Packers trade their 41st, 73rd, and 83rd overall selections to New England for the 26th and 162nd overall picks.
5) The two selections to note: 26 and 83. The Packers selected the "Claymaker" with the 26th overall selection which resulted from trading their 83rd overall selection, which they received from the Jets for trading Brett Favre.
As a Packer fan, I would like to give Brett Favre one BIG round of applause. Your departure resulted in two superstars who are sure to be staples of this football team for the long haul: Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews.
Now, Packer Nation, please give Ted Thompson another round of applause for his commitment to building a championship caliber team through the NFL draft. You've succeeded.
Go Pack Go.
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