GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Packers general manager Ted Thompson’s approach to free agency is well known, if not well explained. He prefers to build the bulk of his roster through the draft, then retain as many of those picks as possible on second and, in some cases, third contracts.

But Thompson has rarely explained why he approaches it that way.

In January, Thompson agreed to sit for an interview in the days before the NFC Championship Game. Most of the discussion focused on his preference to remain in the background during the season, but when the topic turned to free agency, he brought up something that offered at least a glimpse into his thinking.

Ted Thompson prefers building his team through the draft rather than free agency, and the Packers have had more departures than additions so far this offseason. Brian Spurlock/USA Today Sports

“[We] start looking into what it means, because what it means to take on a veteran player, it’s more than just the player,” Thompson said. “It’s how does the salary compare to other people on your team, and does this ruffle feathers, and all those other questions that maybe your average fan wouldn’t think to answer.”

That quote originally appeared in a story last month about whether Packers president Mark Murphy would ever force his general manager to be more active in free agency, especially after quarterback Aaron Rodgers made his "all-in" remark following the Packers' loss in the NFC title game, which appeared to be a plea for Thompson be more aggressive.

But it’s worth revisiting Thompson's quote now that free agency is nearly two weeks old. It provides a window into his thinking in an offseason in which there were more departures than additions to the Packers’ roster in the first wave of free agency.

In a recent piece, ESPN’s Mike Reiss, who has covered the Patriots since 1997, brought up a similar point about New England’s acquisition of cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Reiss wrote: “In the aftermath of cornerback Stephon Gilmore signing a five-year, $65 million contract with $31 million in the first two years, someone made the point to me that Gilmore will be under some of the greatest pressure of any NFL player this season. It’s not easy to walk into a new locker room as one of the highest-paid players on the team.”

Yet Reiss went on to present reasons it could work out for Gilmore in New England.

“He is coming to a place with continuity and consistency on the coaching staff, which runs counter to what he experienced with the Bills in playing under three different coordinators and head coaches, capped off by the up-and-down Rex Ryan," Reiss wrote. "Maybe that helps him lock in more and reach his potential.”

Green Bay is similar in that regard. Coach Mike McCarthy is entering his 12th season, and many of his assistants have been with him for much of that time. McCarthy has created a strong locker-room environment, which could be part of the reason that Thompson’s occasional free agents have worked out like recent acquisitions such as Julius Peppers and Jared Cook have.

So why not do it more often?

“I think our philosophy is pretty well stated,” Thompson said in that January interview. “I don’t necessarily think it would change. We will explore every opportunity. We are reluctant to take on things if we think it’s going to be a problem.”