Green Bay — Ted Thompson has built a divisional juggernaut, annual championship contender and Super Bowl 50 favorite by following a draft-and-develop philosophy to the letter.
What the Green Bay Packers general manager hasn't done is take many chances.
His current roster doesn't include a single player signed as an unrestricted free agent. The Packers' opponent on Sunday, the Chicago Bears, counts 30% (16 of 53) of its 53-man roster as UFAs.
Since taking over in January 2005, Thompson has acquired six players via trade: linebacker Robert Thomas in '05, wide receiver Carlton Brewster and running back Vernand Morency in '06, running back Ryan Grant in '07, safety Derrick Martin in '09 and safety Anthony Smith in '10.