The casual football fan likely has never heard of Andrew Brandt.  But Brandt has been a key component of the success of the Green Bay Packers over the past several years.

Brandt, the V.P. of player finance and general counsel in Green Bay, is leaving immediately.  He spent six years in that role, and nine overall with the team.

He won’t discuss his reasons for leaving until after the announcement is formally made.  But the fact that he’s leaving without another job raises questions about whether it’s an amicable parting.

Brandt was one of four finalists for the position of team president, which is the closest thing to an owner in Green Bay.  It’s odd to think that it was an up-or-out proposition for Brandt, but it very well might have been. 

Though not a “football guy” in the industry sense of the term, which means that he doesn’t scout players, one look at his online bio reveals that he was a key component in managing a successful NFL team during the salary-cap era.

Brandt likely will be in high demand, and the Packers’ rivals in the NFC North would be wise to be the first ones to chase him.