GREEN BAY, Wis. -- He referred to last season as 2006 and called one of his former first-round draft picks "Demetrius" instead of Damarious Randall, but at least Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson knew his quarterback's first name.
"I was told all I had to say was Aaron Rodgers," Thompson said in his annual address at the team's shareholders meeting on Monday.
Sure enough, Thompson's very mention of his two-time NFL MVP quarterback drew a rousing cheer from the crowd of about 7,000 at Lambeau Field.
Thompson's annual "football report" -- which amounts to him recounting the past season's accomplishments (2016 and not 2006 as he stated in his opening), thanking his scouting staff and highlighting the roster (when he referred to Randall as Demetrius) -- came off as promised.
"There's not going to be a lot of in-depth personnel evaluation today," Thompson said in his 13th address to shareholders since he took over as GM in 2005.
He has slowed down in recent years -- Thompson, 64, has cut back on his scouting trips after hip replacement surgery and he now speaks slower than before in media sessions, prompting one of his former co-workers who now works for another team to stop a reporter at the combine in Indianapolis this year to ask what was wrong with the GM. Thompson's future as the Packers general manager has become a regular question for team president Mark Murphy.
Yet Murphy insisted Monday after the shareholders meeting that his general manager was more than ready for the grind of another season.
"I think he is energized," Murphy said. "I've seen Ted make a presentation. I thought he showed more of his personality and humor with the fans today than I think I've ever seen. I think you know, he's a very reserved, private person. I thought it was nice; particularly, it was a unique opportunity for our fans to see that side of Ted."
Even before Thompson's address, Murphy offered nothing but praise for Thompson.
"I've had the pleasure of working with Ted for 10 years, and I tell you, I couldn't be more proud of the way he handles himself," Murphy told the shareholders. "I think he's doing a great job as our general manager. And you'll see, it's very hard to win in the NFL, and the kind of consistent success that we've achieved during his tenure here. It's pretty remarkable."
Thompson is under contract for two more seasons. While many figure that has to be the end for him, Murphy has left open the possibility that Thompson would work beyond his current contract.
"My hope is as long as he's healthy and continues to enjoy the job, is performing at a high level, he'll continue as our general manager," Murphy said.
Murphy inherited Thompson and has never had to make a hire during his 10 years as team president that directly impacts football. He regularly cites continuity between Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy as one of the keys to the Packers' consistent success. He also defended their record of only one Super Bowl despite eight straight playoff appearances -- one shy of the NFL record.
"I hear from a lot of fans that they're disappointed that I've accepted mediocrity and I'm just happy to be in the playoffs and that I should fire Ted and Mike and then after I do that, retire," Murphy said. "So you realize that it’s a spread and there's all kinds of fans, but I would hope that the average or typical fan understands that when you work for the Packers organization and you set a record for most consecutive years in the playoffs with our history and tradition, that's pretty good.
"If we are fortunate enough to make the playoffs this year, we would tie the NFL record, so it's not something that is easily accomplished, particularly when the whole league is set up for parity. It's hard to have consistent success."