GREEN BAY — It's been five years since the Green Bay Packers and quarterback Brett Favre went their separate ways during the ugly summer of 2008, and just about everyone who was part of that summer — Favre, then-backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers, coach Mike McCarthy, team president Mark Murphy — has chimed in on the remarkable progress there's been in the last several months toward the iconic quarterback and organization reconciling.

Everyone, that is, except general manager Ted Thompson, who hadn't been asked about Favre until Tuesday, when Thompson did the first of his annual training-camp press conferences.

"I think it's wonderful," Thompson said of the sides getting closer to a reconciliation and retiring Favre's familiar No. 4. "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 (Deanna). 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 (to him returning). I'm thrilled."

Two team sources that summer had said that during multiple organization meetings during the ordeal, it was Thompson who privately reminded those in the room that Favre was in a difficult position and that there should be some understanding about his anger and frustration.

At the time, though, Favre directed much of his anger toward Thompson, saying in an interview with Greta Van Susteren on FOX News he was misled by the GM on multiple occasions ("I don't want to say he lied; that's kind of a harsh word, but 'untruth' or whatever") and that it impacted their relationship ("It's hard for me to trust this guy") as a result.

While Favre has spoken in multiple interviews and taken some blame for the way things turned out — he was traded in August 2008 to the New York Jets, then played the 2009 and 2010 seasons with rival Minnesota — it's still not clear whether he and Thompson have talked and have or will reconcile.

Thompson was asked if he thought Favre's return was dependent on him.

"Oh, I don't think so," Thompson said. "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."

Jason Wilde  wrote: