On Tuesday, February 27th, Green Bay Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst met with the media—a much different year than last year. Last year, it was a packed crowd. Media wanted to know the future of Aaron Rodgers and what was next with Jordan Love. This year, a much different tone. With much less drama, he could touch on multiple areas of the team.
Here is a recap from his time with the media.
Green Bay Packers Roster Will Look Different
From year to year, the turnover rate is high in the NFL. Good teams always have a healthy amount of young players with veterans in key roles. The Packers’ offensive last year was an anomaly with their youth.
When discussing the roster, Gutekunst said, “Nothing is set in stone, and we’re going to bring in as many guys as we can to be competitive.” He also said,” I expect the roster to look much different than it did last year, like it always does from year to year, and they’re excited about that.”
Heading into this offseason, the Packers had no must-resign guys, which left a wide-open landscape of ways to shape this roster. Defensively, the Packers could use safety and linebacker help. Offensively, interior offensive line, and running back. They are in a good spot to compete next year.
Gutekunst and Green Bay Packers Excited for Love’s Future
Gutekunst was asked how they felt about Jordan Love this past year. He said, “We are really proud of him, the work that he put in, he was rewarded.” “He was put in some tough situations in his career with the lack of opportunity early.” With Love being drafted during the Covid year, the preseason was canceled. He also dealt with some injuries when he had the chance to play the following preseason.
Gutekunst also mentions he was excited for Love,” To go through the tough stretch in October, and see him so steady through that and to see him lead our a team to get better each week in and week out and get rewarded at the end of the season.” Gutekunst believes,” For as good as he played, there’s so much more in front of him, and excited for where he’s going.”
“I don’t know if anything surprised me, but It’s always good to see guys come out of adversity because that gives you a level of confidence.” Gutekunst response on if he was surprised about Love’s performance last year. Gutekunst said, “It was gratifying to see the team respond to him leading them out there. They generally cared for him and wanted to play for him; that’s not something you can teach.”
I assume the Packers get a contract extension done this offseason with Jordan Love. Spotrac projects a four-year 200 million contract, with 87.5 million guaranteed. That is speculation and a guess, but It should fall somewhere in that range. Towards the end of the season, Love proved to be that guy. The team rallied behind him. He persevered in a tough year.
Options Are Wide Open With How Gutekunst Will Address the Safety Position
Gutekunst was asked how he felt about the safety class in this draft if he felt it was a little sparse, and if he would need to be a little more aggressive in free agency to address the position. He said, ” I think it’s a good college safety class, and we’re still getting to know these guys a bit.”
“We’ll address it (safety position) anyway we can to improve that group; we have some young players coming back that we are excited about.” He mentions, ” They will consider each decision, whether it be free agency, the draft or waiver claims.”
Knowing Gutekunst’s history of filling positions of need, I fully expect them to get multiple guys. I would not be surprised to see them come away with three new safeties between free agency and the draft, not counting waiver claims, especially with the positional value in defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s scheme.
Three Positions the Green Bay Packers Must Address This Offseason
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