An unproven Ted Thompson, named the Packers’ eleventh general manager a year earlier, was hiring his first head coach. A day after the 2005-2006 season ended, he dismissed the incumbent Mike Sherman following a dismal 4-12 record. Thompson would take ten days to fill the position.
In his first year as general manager, Thompson did little to engender support from the fan base. Both starting guards Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle left in free agency for greener pastures, while Pro Bowl safety Darren Sharper was released. The Packers had just begun completely overhauling their roster.
Their next head coach would have quite a quandary to untangle after taking the job.