Bob Harlan, the Green Bay Packers chairman emeritus, served as team president for 19 years, so he knows a few things about how the football operation is run. Harlan says he expects Eliot Wolf to be named general manager of the Packers when Ted Thompson steps down.
That has been the rumor since the Packers promoted Wolf to director of football operations last month. It is the top position on the football side of the operation next to general manager. Prior to Wolf’s promotion, Thompson held both titles.
Although it seemed pretty obvious the Packers have tabbed Wolf as Thompson’s successor, president Mark Murphy has refused to confirm that.
It now appears Harlan has essentially done that for him.
“I get the impression that’s what’s planned,” Harlan said, “that (Wolf) is getting a promotion now and when Ted goes, ‘You’ll get the No. 1 job.’ If they’re trying to keep other people away from him, this will accomplish that.”
Other teams have periodically expressed interest in Wolf and each time that has happened, the Packers have promoted him. His last promotion seemed to come unprompted, however.
Thompson is under contract through the 2018 season and he doesn’t seem interested in stepping down before that.
With Wolf, the Packers are hedging their bets. They now have a solid candidate in-house who isn’t going anywhere. If they’re interested, the Packers could also look to bring back Wisconsin native and Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider.
Schneider reportedly has an opt-out in his contract for that very reason.
Regardless of who you like for the job, it appears the Packers will have at least two great options.
Options are good.