Former Packers GM dies at 68

Ted Thompson, longtime general manager of the Green Bay Packers who built the team that won Super Bowl XLV, died Wednesday at age 68 from complications of an autonomic disorder.

Thompson drafted future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers with his first pick as a general manager. That set the stage for the succession of Hall of Famer quarterback Brett Favre and the building of a team that won the Super Bowl in 2011. His teams in one stretch won 19 consecutive games and made the playoffs eight consecutive years.

CHIEFS: Patrick Mahomes took the majority of firstteam reps in practice Thursday, even though he remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, raising expectations that he will start in the AFC championship game against the Buffalo Bills. Mahomes was initially listed as a full participant when he returned to practice Wednesday, but the Chiefs quickly corrected his status to limited because he remains in the protocol. He must be cleared by team physicians and an independent neural consult before the reigning Super Bowl MVP can be a full participant in practice or play in a game. STEELERS: Dwayne Haskins' second NFL chance has arrived.

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced Thursday that the former first-round pick had signed a reserve/ future contract. Haskins joins quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph, both signed for one more season, on the expanded offseason roster. Pittsburgh, which doesn't select until the 24th spot of this year's draft, could be the ideal place for a fresh start. Washington drafted Haskins 15th overall in 2019 out of Ohio State but waived him in December, following the Week 16's loss to Carolina.