Why?
1) I think there is some truth to Ted, telling Brett one thing and then comming out an saying another publicly.
How:
Brett Favre "Ted, talked to Randy, he is unhappy and would be love the chance to come to Green Bay."
Ted Thompson - "Gee Brett, we will see where it goes, we all looking in all avenues to add the right players to the team."
BF - "Well I would love to play with, an you know, I think it would really help the offense. I will restructure my deal if need be to make it happen."
TT - "Well Brett, the Raiders want this, Randy wants to get out of town and there are other parties involved." Thinking, Randy has been a cancer in the past, don't want that element in Green Bay, but doesn't tell Brett this angle.
Pats step in, get Moss on the cheap and Randy uses Brett and the Packers as a leverage tool in the meantime. The great communicator, Ted comes out and says little to nothing on the Moss deal, and denies Brett was involved.. basically down playing the Packers overall interest, Brett takes it as another shot personally and as a team gone by.
All this equals, what is apparent each and every time Ted speaks, he is a poor public speaker and that probably carries over into other forms of communication, not a rip, but he seems more like an introvert in nature. I can relate.. I suck at speaking my thoughts, but that doesn't mean my intentions and decisions aren't sound.
2) Brett probably does feel Thompson has been less than forthright, see above as how it may happen. Then look at what has gone on around Brett, every single player he had a connection to in the glory years, they are gone, retired or elsewhere.. it happens, but I think Brett was too close to see that most of those loses needed to happen. Teams and players age, schemes change, principles in the decisions making change.
Being so connected for 16 years, I guarantee Brett felt a sense of ownership to the team. Loyalty to those around him, but there lies a truth that some have found in this league via a dual role GM/HC. Those coaches and long time players become personally invested in relationships with other players, it clouds their judgement to a sense of what might be best for the team. In other words, they start to have favorites among the players, guys they trust or think can do little wrong despite failing skills or fit.
So as players exit and players that Brett thinks would help or might have a bond to Brett leave or get passed by, Brett sees it as a personal issue, not a for the overall betterment of the team so to speak. And it sits there and grinds on the player, he says something to vent to those closest to him, but puts on the team united front for the press, like he should and because Brett is loyal to the bone.
This explains the leaks comming from the south.. most noteably, Cook himself, family and teammates he trusts with this personal thoughts.
It also explains, why a simple, "Hey Brett, we kind of need an idea of what you are doing before the draft." turns into a they are pushing me, in other words, Brett has habored and built up issues for the past couple of years... they have been building and intensiving in nature.. so then June rolls around and "We have moved forward" becomes, they don't want me anymore thoughts.. stringed together by a bunch of feelings habored for the past couple of years.
So in the end, it really comes down to, IMO, a poor rapport between Brett and GM Ted.. lack of effective communication and passing of ones thoughts to another effectively. Happens all the time in this world. Brett was always included or at the very least asked his opinion in relationships of the past, Wolf, Holmgren, Sherman.. they all valued his opinion and made sure that he was at least in the loop so to speak with regards to personnel decisions that affected the team greatly.. hell it was Brett's right arm and moxy that attracted Reggie White here.. Brett was is well respected around the game.. so it made sense to endear yourself to over communicating to Brett.. probably to much.
In comes introverted in nature Ted, plays his cards close to his vest and isn't one to speak his thoughts. Brett sees this as personal, when in reality it is just Ted's style, his "way".
And it finally boiled over.. the years of miscommunication and contrasts in styles and approach.. festering into one ugly mess in this offseason.
IMO.. that is why or how we got here.. details not withstanding..