Bob Harlan is a smart man (despite the Sherman/GM hire) and he is 100% correct in saying that Thompson and McCarthy are the best combo of GM/coach the Packers have had since Wolf/Holmgren. (Not that it takes a rocket scientist to figure that out). But McCarthy has struck the perfect pose here, saying essentially, let's hold off until after the season, and we'll talk. With word that Thompson will be recieving an extension sometime in the next month, it's a no-brainer that Thompson should then turn around and extend McCarthy's contract, at least by 2 years.

Interestingly enough, the great big 300 pound gorilla in the room that no one is talking about is Brett Favre. It's no certainty that he'll be back next season, leaving Aaron Rodgers as the Packers QB1. The biggest component to the teams success this season, at least on the offensive side of the ball, has been Favre. Yes, Rodgers played well last week. But do you really see him making those big throws against Kansas City or Denver? Or big time reads in crunch time, as in the San Diego game? This whole team is different the moment Rodgers (or any other QB) takes the helm. It's in McCarthy and Thompson's best interests to get their extensions signed now before they no longer have a future Hall of Famer playing the game's most important position.  To be clear - Thompson and McCarthy have done tremendous jobs - and they can thank their lucky stars (and their bank accounts) that their professional journey's have intersected with Favre's.