GREEN BAY, Wis. -- When Packers president Mark Murphy first said the team would retire Brett Favre's No. 4 jersey at some point, it was reasonable to think that it might not happen as long as general manager Ted Thompson was around.
After all, Thompson was the man who executed the Aug. 6, 2008, trade that ended Favre's career with the Packers and sent him to the New York Jets. Whether correct or not, the decision to trade Favre rather than allow him to return for a 17th season in Green Bay was viewed as largely Thompson's call.
Now, Thompson's presence doesn't look like something that will stand in the way of a reunion between Favre and the Packers.
"I think if you're talking about the Packers and Brett Favre, and then you're talking about me, I'm way down on the list -- as I should be," Thompson said Tuesday.
While it's not known if Thompson and Favre have spoken since that stormy summer when Favre unretired, Thompson said he likes the direction the relationship between Favre and the Packers is headed.
"I think it's wonderful," Thompson said. "Talking about this place and what it means to people and the fans, I think it gets blown over a little. Surely, like a lot of people have said, Mark Murphy and other people in the organization have said, this is going to happen. There will be a Brett-coming-back thing and him getting his due honors, as he should.
"The man played for a very long time here and was a marvelous, marvelous football player and a good person in the community, he and his wife. I think it means a lot for the Packers for Brett Favre to be remembered in a good light. I have no objections at all. I'm thrilled."
No date has been set for any kind of Favre ceremony, but Murphy said recently that it is not likely to happen this season.
Rob Demovsky covers the Packers for ESPN.com.