Editing Green Bay Packers (section)

=== Mike Holmgren years (1992–1998) ===
In 1992, Wolf hired [[San Francisco 49ers]] offensive coordinator [[Mike Holmgren]] as the Packers' new head coach.<ref name="r828">{{cite web | last=McGinn | first=Bob | title=Jan. 11, 1992: Ron Wolf gets the man he wants, at a price | website=JSOnline.com | date=January 11, 1992 | url=https://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/220587861.html | access-date=August 3, 2024 | archive-date=August 3, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803203807/https://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/220587861.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

Soon afterward, Wolf acquired quarterback [[Brett Favre]] from the [[Atlanta Falcons]] for a first-round pick.<ref name="f897">{{cite web | title=How Brett Favre landed in Green Bay – from those who made it happen | website=ESPN.com | date=February 11, 1992 | url=https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/17211520/how-brett-favre-landed-green-bay-packers-made-happen | access-date=August 3, 2024 | archive-date=December 27, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227194047/http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/17211520/how-brett-favre-landed-green-bay-packers-made-happen | url-status=live }}</ref> Favre got the Packers their first win of the 1992 season, stepping in for injured quarterback [[Don Majkowski]] and leading a comeback over the [[1992 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]].<ref name="i588">{{cite web | last=Yasinskas | first=Pat | title=Yasinskas: Majkowski recalls birth of Favre's legacy | website=ESPN.com | date=March 4, 2008 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=yasinskas_pat&id=3276808 | access-date=August 29, 2024 | archive-date=August 29, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829192849/https://www.espn.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=yasinskas_pat&id=3276808 | url-status=live }}</ref> He started the following week, a win against the [[1992 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]], and never missed another start for Green Bay through the end of the 2007 season. He would go on to break the [[Most consecutive starts by a quarterback (NFL)|record]] for consecutive starts by an NFL quarterback, starting 297 consecutive games including stints with the [[New York Jets]] and [[Minnesota Vikings]] with the [[Most consecutive starts (NFL)|streak]] finally coming to an end [[Brett Favre#Consecutive starts streak|late in the 2010 season]].<ref name="a298">{{cite web | last=Trister | first=Noah | title=Brett Favre finally sits: Streak ends at 297 consecutive starts | website=Florida Times-Union | date=December 13, 2010 | url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/nfl/2010/12/13/brett-favre-finally-sits-streak-ends-297-consecutive-starts/15921774007/ | access-date=August 3, 2024 | archive-date=May 17, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517172310/https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/nfl/2010/12/13/brett-favre-finally-sits-streak-ends-297-consecutive-starts/15921774007/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[1992 Green Bay Packers season|Packers]] had a 9–7 record in [[1992 NFL season|1992]] and began to turn heads around the league when they signed perhaps the most prized free agent in NFL history in [[Reggie White]] on the defense in 1993.<ref name="c618">{{cite web | last=Radcliffe | first=JR | title=Reggie White: 25 years later, Packers free-agent signing resonates | website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel| date=April 9, 2018 | url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2018/04/09/twenty-five-years-later-packers-still-reaping-ripple-benefits-signing-reggie-white/498655002/ | access-date=August 3, 2024}}</ref> White believed that Wolf, Holmgren, and Favre had the team heading in the right direction with a "total commitment to winning". With White on board, the Packers made it to the second round of the playoffs during both the [[1993 NFL season|1993]] and [[1994 NFL season|1994 season]]s but lost their 2nd-round matches to their playoff rival, the Dallas Cowboys, playing in Dallas on both occasions.<ref name="n200">{{cite web | title=1993 Green Bay Packers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees | website=Pro-Football-Reference.com | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/1993.htm | access-date=August 29, 2024 | archive-date=September 24, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924050630/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/1993.htm | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="n201">{{cite web | title=1994 Green Bay Packers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees | website=Pro-Football-Reference.com | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/1994.htm | access-date=August 29, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007144228/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/1994.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> In [[1995 NFL season|1995]], the [[1995 Green Bay Packers season|Packers]] won the NFC Central Division championship for the first time since 1972. After a home playoff 37–20 win against Favre's former team, the Atlanta Falcons, the Packers defeated the defending Super Bowl champion [[1995 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]] 27–17 in San Francisco on the road to advance to the [[NFC Championship Game]], where they lost again to the [[1995 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] 38–27.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship – Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys – January 14th, 1996 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199601140dal.htm |access-date=August 3, 2024 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423174148/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199601140dal.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="n202">{{cite web | title=1995 Green Bay Packers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees | website=Pro-Football-Reference.com | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/1995.htm | access-date=August 29, 2024 | archive-date=September 5, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905161256/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/1995.htm | url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Super Bowl XXXI champions (1996) ====
[[File:19981213 28 Reggie White, Lambeau Field.jpg|thumb|[[Reggie White]] in 1998. White is widely considered one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history, and had his number retired by the Packers in 2005.]]
In [[1996 NFL season|1996]], the [[1996 Green Bay Packers season|Packers]]' turnaround was complete. The team posted a league-best 13–3 record in the regular season, dominating the competition and securing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.<ref name="n2033">{{cite web | title=1996 Green Bay Packers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees | website=Pro-Football-Reference.com | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/1996.htm | access-date=August 29, 2024 | archive-date=May 4, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504140048/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/1996.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> They were ranked no. 1 in offense with [[Brett Favre]] leading the way, no. 1 in defense with Reggie White as the leader of the defense, and no. 1 in special teams with former [[Heisman Trophy]] winner [[Desmond Howard]] returning punts and kickoffs for touchdowns.<ref name="n336">{{cite web | title=1996 NFL Standings & Team Stats | website=Pro-Football-Reference.com | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1996/ | access-date=August 29, 2024 | archive-date=February 11, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211094812/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1996/ | url-status=live }}</ref> After relatively easy wins against the [[1996 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]] in a muddy 35–14 beatdown and [[1996 Carolina Panthers season|Carolina Panthers]] 30–13, the Packers advanced to the Super Bowl for the first time in 29 years. In [[Super Bowl XXXI]], Green Bay defeated the [[1996 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]] 35–21 to win their 12th championship. Desmond Howard was named MVP of the game for his kickoff return for a touchdown that ended the Patriots' bid for a comeback.<ref name="w177">{{cite web | last=Manoloff | first=Dennis | title=20 years ago, Desmond Howard was magnificent for Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXI | website=cleveland.com | date=January 26, 2017 | url=https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2017/01/desmond_howard_super_bowl_xxxi.html | access-date=August 29, 2024 | archive-date=August 29, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829193240/https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2017/01/desmond_howard_super_bowl_xxxi.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Then-Packers president [[Bob Harlan]] credited Wolf, Holmgren, Favre, and White for ultimately changing the fortunes of the organization and turning the Green Bay Packers into a model NFL franchise. A 2007 panel of football experts at [[ESPN]] ranked the 1996 Packers the 6th-greatest team ever to play in the Super Bowl. {{External media|title=Desmond Howard's 99-yard kick return touchdown in the Superdome in Super Bowl XXXI|video1=[https://www.facebook.com/NFL/videos/desmond-howard-kick-return-td-in-super-bowl-xxxi-/3245292469094886/ Green Bay Packers return specialist Desmond Howard returns Adam Vinatieri's kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXI, January 26, 1997]}}

The following season the [[1997 Green Bay Packers season|Packers]] recorded another 13–3 record and won their second consecutive NFC championship.<ref name="r522">{{cite web | title=1997 Green Bay Packers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees | website=Pro-Football-Reference.com | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/1997.htm | access-date=August 29, 2024 | archive-date=June 28, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628005853/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/1997.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> After defeating the [[1997 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] 21–7 and [[1997 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]] 23–10 in the playoffs, the Packers returned to the Super Bowl as an 11{{sfrac|1|2}} point favorite. The team ended up losing in an upset to [[John Elway]] and the [[1997 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] in [[Super Bowl XXXII]], by the score of 31–24.<ref name="s964">{{cite news | title=Super Bowl XXXII: Elway, AFC Finally Have Super Moment | newspaper=Washington Post | date=January 25, 1998 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nfl/longterm/superbowl/stories/sb32.htm | access-date=August 29, 2024 | archive-date=January 25, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125124516/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nfl/longterm/superbowl/stories/sb32.htm | url-status=live }}</ref>[[File:19981213 24 Mike Holmgren, Lambeau Field,.jpg|thumb|Holmgren, one of three Packer coaches to win a Super Bowl, pictured in 1998]]
In [[1998 NFL season|1998]], the [[1998 Green Bay Packers season|Packers]] went 11–5 and met the [[1998 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]] in the first round of the NFC playoffs. It was the fourth consecutive year these teams had met in the playoffs and the sixth overall contest since the 1995 season. The Packers had won all previous games, and the media speculated that another 49ers loss would result in the dismissal of San Francisco head coach [[Steve Mariucci]]. Unlike the previous playoff matches, this game was hotly contested, with the teams frequently exchanging leads. With 4:19 left in the 4th quarter, Brett Favre and the Packers embarked on an 89-yard drive, which concluded with a Favre touchdown pass to receiver [[Antonio Freeman]]. This play appeared to give Green Bay the victory. But San Francisco quarterback [[Steve Young]] led the 49ers on an improbable touchdown drive, which culminated when [[Terrell Owens]] caught Young's pass between several defenders to give the 49ers a lead with three seconds remaining. Afterward, the game was mired in controversy. Many argued that during the 49ers game-winning drive, Niners receiver [[Jerry Rice]] fumbled the ball but officials stated he was down by contact. Television replays confirmed the fumble, but referees were unable to review the play; the next season the NFL reinstituted an instant replay system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://static.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs98/news/1999/990103/01025866.html|title=ESPN.com: Instant replay comes back to haunt Holmgren|publisher=ESPN|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=August 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801221247/http://static.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs98/news/1999/990103/01025866.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the end, this game turned out to be the end of an era in Green Bay. Days later Mike Holmgren left the Packers to become vice president, general manager, and head coach of the [[Seattle Seahawks]]. Much of Holmgren's coaching staff went with him, and [[Reggie White]] also retired after the season (but later played one season for the [[Carolina Panthers]] in 2000).

In 1999, the team struggled to find an identity after the departure of so many of the individuals responsible for their Super Bowl run. [[Ray Rhodes]] was hired in 1999 as the team's new head coach.<ref name="h629">{{cite web | title=Rhodes Is Packers New Coach | website=CBS News | date=January 11, 1999 | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rhodes-is-packers-new-coach/ | access-date=August 29, 2024 | archive-date=August 29, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829193434/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rhodes-is-packers-new-coach/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Rhodes had served around the league as a highly regarded defensive coordinator and more recently experienced moderate success as head coach of the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] from 1995 to 1998. Ron Wolf believed that Rhodes' experience and player-friendly demeanor would fit nicely in Green Bay's veteran locker room, but Rhodes was fired after one 8–8 [[1999 Green Bay Packers season|season]].<ref name="k789">{{cite web | title=Hit The Rhodes! Pack Fire Ray | website=CBS News | date=January 3, 2000 | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hit-the-rhodes-pack-fire-ray/ | access-date=August 29, 2024 | archive-date=August 29, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829193453/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hit-the-rhodes-pack-fire-ray/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Wolf visited team practice late in the 1999 season and believed that players had become too comfortable with Rhodes' style, and said the atmosphere resembled a country club.

In 2000, Wolf replaced Rhodes with [[Mike Sherman]].<ref name="v131">{{cite web | title=Packers Hire Coach Sherman | website=CBS News | date=January 17, 2000 | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/packers-hire-coach-sherman/ | access-date=August 29, 2024 | archive-date=September 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907085004/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/packers-hire-coach-sherman/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Sherman had never been a head coach at any level of football and was relatively unknown in NFL circles. He had only coached in professional football for three years starting as the Packers' tight ends coach in 1997 and 1998. In 1999, he followed Mike Holmgren to Seattle and became the Seahawks' offensive coordinator, although Sherman did not call the plays during games. Despite Sherman's apparent anonymity, Wolf was blown away in the interview process by the coach's organizational skills and attention to detail. Sherman's inaugural season started slowly, but the Packers won their final four games to achieve a 9–7 record. Brett Favre praised the atmosphere Sherman had cultivated in Green Bay's locker room and fans were optimistic about the team's future. In the offseason, however, Wolf suddenly announced his own resignation as general manager to take effect after the April 2001 draft. Packers' president Bob Harlan was surprised by Wolf's decision and felt unsure of how to replace him. Harlan preferred the structure Green Bay had employed since 1991; a general manager who ran football operations and hired a subservient head coach. But with the momentum and locker room chemistry that was built during the 2000 season, Harlan was reluctant to bring in a new individual with a potentially different philosophy. Wolf recommended that Harlan give the job to Sherman. Though Harlan was wary of the structure in principle, he agreed with Wolf that it was the best solution. In 2001, Sherman assumed the duties of both general manager and head coach.

From 2001 to 2004, Sherman coached the Packers to respectable regular-season success, led by the spectacular play of Brett Favre, [[Ahman Green]], and a formidable offensive line. But Sherman's teams faltered in the playoffs. Before 2003, the Packers had never lost a home playoff game since the NFL instituted a post-season in 1933 (they were 13–0, with 11 of the wins at Lambeau and two more in Milwaukee.). That ended on January 4, 2003, when the [[2002 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]] defeated the [[2002 Green Bay Packers season|Packers]] 27–7 in an NFC Wild Card game. The Packers would also lose at home in the playoffs to the [[2004 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]] two years later.

By the end of the 2004 season, the Packers' team depth appeared to be diminishing. Sherman also seemed overworked and reportedly had trouble communicating with players on the practice field with whom he was also negotiating contracts. Harlan felt the dual roles were too much for one man to handle and removed Sherman from the general manager position in early 2005 while retaining him as a head coach. Harlan hired the Seattle Seahawks' vice president of operations [[Ted Thompson]] as the new executive vice president, general manager, and director of football operations. The relationship between Thompson and Sherman appeared strained, as Thompson immediately began rebuilding Green Bay's roster. Following a dismal 4–12 season, Thompson fired Sherman.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2006 |title=Packers' Sherman loses job after first losing season |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2277901 |access-date=August 13, 2024 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref>