Cory's Corner: How Patient Is Too Patient?
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has been widely criticized since taking over for Ted Thompson in 2018. However, he has unearthed many hidden gems in the NFL Draft and free agency.
In order to gauge how good of a job Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has done, you have to frame it with what you value more: patience or parades?
Since taking over in 2018, Gutekunst has operated with a clear philosophy for the Green Bay Packers: draft, develop, extend — and resist the urge to chase headlines in March. In an era where offseason winners are crowned on social media and cap space is treated like Monopoly money, Gutekunst has largely stayed the course.
The results are hard to ignore. Jordan Love, Elgton Jenkins, Christian Watson, Rashan Gary and Zach Tom have all been drafted by Gutekunst and they all earned second contracts with the Packers.
“I have a lot of respect for what they do top to bottom,” said an anonymous NFL executive. “They’ve done some things that people questioned, but they do it right. They got the quarterback right. They’re just really good evaluators.”
Green Bay’s roster has been one of the youngest in football, yet it has remained competitive through a franchise-altering transition at quarterback. When Gutekunst made the controversial decision to draft Love and eventually moved on from Aaron Rodgers, he wasn’t just picking a player. He was doubling down on organizational sustainability. The Packers weren’t going to lurch into a rebuild. They were going to reload.
Look at the core: homegrown offensive linemen, ascending receivers, defensive pieces drafted and extended before they hit the market. Rashan Gary. Jaire Alexander. Elgton Jenkins. The model isn’t flashy, but it’s functional. Green Bay rarely finds itself in cap purgatory. It rarely panics.
And yet — this is where the debate sharpens — does functional equal fearless?
The Packers under Gutekunst have avoided the kind of “all-in” maneuvering that defines modern championship pushes. They have not operated like the Los Angeles Rams did when they pushed chips to the center of the table, traded premium picks, and hoisted a Lombardi Trophy. Green Bay prefers long-term flexibility over short-term aggression.
Gutekunst really surprised me when he shocked the NFL world by sending a pair of first round picks and Kenny Clark to the Cowboys for Micah Parsons. The Packers don't trade first round picks. They hold on to them until grim death. Ultimately, it was the right move because Parsons is the No. 2 defensive game wrecker in the league and it also proved that Gutekunst is willing to sacrifice the future for the present.
The NFL’s middle class is littered with teams that chased one window and shattered the next five years. But there’s also risk in perpetual restraint. The Packers had back-to-back 13-win seasons early in Gutekunst’s tenure and came away empty-handed. At what point does prudence start to look like hesitation?
Critics argue that while the draft-and-develop pipeline has been strong, the roster has occasionally felt one proven veteran away. A trade deadline splash. A premium free-agent pass rusher. A difference-making safety. Instead, Green Bay has trusted internal growth. Sometimes that works beautifully. Sometimes it leaves fans wondering what might have been.
The deeper question is philosophical: should a small-market, publicly owned franchise behave differently? Without an impulsive billionaire owner demanding immediate gratification, the Packers can think generationally. Gutekunst’s measured approach aligns with that structure. Stability is baked into the building.
But championships define legacies. If Love blossoms into a perennial contender and this young core breaks through, Gutekunst will look visionary — the architect who transitioned seamlessly from one era to another without bottoming out. If the team hovers in the divisional-round tier for the next five years, the conversation will turn.
Quiet competence is admirable. Sustained competitiveness matters. But in Green Bay, where banners hang and expectations echo, “one of the best” ultimately requires more than steady hands. It requires a moment — or several — when caution gives way to conviction.
Gutekunst has built a strong foundation. The question now is whether he’s willing, when the time comes, to push all the chips in.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (83)
T7Steve
February 24, 2026 at 06:59 am
Steady is good but personally, I'd like the Packers to compete for a championship annually rather than generationally. These 10-30 gaps between trophies keeps me wondering if I'll live to see another.
Bitternotsour
February 24, 2026 at 09:55 am
When were they not competing for championships exactly. They're in the playoffs every damn year, they've been the one seed in very recent memory, how exactly does that square with not competing for a championship?
T7Steve
February 24, 2026 at 10:24 am
You sort of have to be in the championship to be able to compete for it.
There are no participation trophies.
You might be satisfied and that's ok too.
PackerBackerAZ
February 24, 2026 at 02:05 pm
Being the 7 seed three years in a row, and having a 1-3 record for those three years in the playoffs, is an indication that the Packers are not legitimate Super Bowl contenders annually. All 32 teams are competing fora championship every season. Competing and contending are two very different things.
TKWorldWide
February 24, 2026 at 07:09 am
It’s a great question. Around the league there have been plenty of “worst to first” stories, this year’s SB was another example of that.
My take is that GB management is of the opinion that the Packers are knocking on the door, and that key injuries derailed the post-season hopes.
I know many fans say “injuries are no excuse”, but I think sometimes they are. I’ll go back a few years: take Emmit Smith, Troy Aikman, and Michael Irvin off the roster as the season ends. Would their SB chances have been affected?
Anyway, only time will tell if GB’s “patience” will be rewarded. Nobody knows for sure.
Yet.
But I do sense growing unrest among the fans.
egbertsouse
February 24, 2026 at 07:39 am
The Packers have nobody in the same stratosphere as the players you mentioned.
TKWorldWide
February 24, 2026 at 08:29 am
Ok then remove Love, Kraft, and Jacobs.
Expectations remain the same?
Do depth charts matter? If “first man up” is legit, just throw out a random 11 on offense or defense and tell me it’s all good.
jannesbjornson
February 24, 2026 at 03:42 pm
By that standard, Gutedkunst is less than stellar in securing talent.
Coldworld
February 24, 2026 at 08:30 am
Injuries are both something of an excuse and inevitable. We really were not exceptional in terms of games missed by starters or the number of injuries. By almost every statistical measure we were middle of the pack in league terms.
I think Policy and his crew have fabricated and bought into “explanations” or excuses and come to believe them. That may make them feel better, but the trajectory this off season reflects that divergence from competitive reality thus far. Perhaps Gute will prove us wrong between now and rookie camp, but I’m not holding my breath.
I don’t think it’s complacency, I think it’s misplaced self confidence and an atmosphere of continual self reinforcement.
TKWorldWide
February 24, 2026 at 08:32 am
I think they see it as I described.
Coldworld
February 24, 2026 at 09:21 am
I don't see that as contradictory.
TKWorldWide
February 24, 2026 at 09:26 am
Sorry, yes, agreed. Same page.
golfpacker61
February 24, 2026 at 08:43 am
It seems like our philosophy has led us to "The youngest team in the NFL moniker." The injuries were devastating last year, and yes all teams have them, not many would have gotten to the playoffs with that many injuries and we were limping just to get in.
GB needs to step back from the youngest team statistic before the draft and shore up weak positions with inexpensive FA veterans that upgrade those weaker position groups.
Sign a Leo Chenel or Devin Bush @ LB
Sign a Charlie Kolar @ TE
Sign a solid run stuffer like Calais Campbell or ?
Sign a CB like Rock Ya-Sin
Sign a KR/WR like Sky Moore
These are cheap upgrade signings that fill holes, strengthen position groups, and take the pressure off the draft and we would have fewer Big Needs. Every one of those FAs would start in GB next year. We don't need younger anymore, we need some veteran experience, and a solid draft to get us closer to the gold ring.
Starrbrite
February 24, 2026 at 07:28 pm
I’m not sure about Ya-Sin…? But, I would be estatic if we signed Calias. I’ve always compared him to Chris Jones, but not quite as good.
I believe there is a realistic possibility Calias becomes a Packer.
Zapato
February 24, 2026 at 09:16 am
What bothers me about this whole "blame it on injuries" perspective is that the Packers were easily beating the Bears in the first half of their playoff game without all those injured stars. Then, everything fell apart. I don't think that's a problem with injuries. I think the coaching fell apart.
TKWorldWide
February 24, 2026 at 09:30 am
Good point. One of the local reporters said GB has trouble in both good times as well as bad. They don’t handle success well, and they lose their poise during adversity.
Even McKinney said, after the third game loss made their record 2 and 1 that it was good for them. Too many guys were acting like the SB was in the bag. Ugh! Youth? Coaching? Lack of veteran leadership? Hell if I know.
NickPerry
February 24, 2026 at 07:15 am
"The results are hard to ignore. Jordan Love, Elgton Jenkins, Christian Watson, Rashan Gary and Zach Tom have all been drafted by Gutekunst and they all earned second contracts with the Packers."
Wow, when you list those players it looks even MORE pathetic. I've been a Gute supporter for a long time but the reality of it is he hasn't done a great job. I would think there are more than that after EIGHT years of draft picks. Can you really add in Watson since he signed a one year extension? A buy some time extension?
Ted was GREAT at drafting mid round All Pro O-Linemen and 2nd round WR studs. With Gute? No so much.
BUT...The million dollar question is it Gutes drafting or MLF's coaching staff? LaFleur IMO has been notorious for hiring the who's who of who the hell are you when hiring assistant coaches. Well, at least I heard of Bobby Babich and Gannon in this years cycle.
I'm very curious to see what Gute does this offseason because this current roster could just as easily MISS the playoffs as making noise in them.
Sorry guys, I'm starting to lose faith. I hoped Policy would go back to a GM calling the shots. Instead he gave extensions to BOTH...
BIG SIGH...
dobber
February 24, 2026 at 07:56 am
"I'm very curious to see what Gute does this offseason because this current roster could just as easily MISS the playoffs as making noise in them."
In that case, I'm happy to say that the 53 they had active a month ago probably looks meaningfully different from the active 53 they work with in September. I have no idea what those shifts are going to look like...but we've seen where the right moves--even the low-cost ones--and a little injury luck can make a bid difference. Gute will have to be active in the first couple weeks of FA, though, and not be looking only at bargain basement moves in early April.
"I hoped Policy would go back to a GM calling the shots. "
I'll be honest in that IMO I think people make a bigger deal of this than it really is.
Guam
February 24, 2026 at 08:14 am
"I'll be honest in that IMO I think people make a bigger deal of this than it really is."
I've never seen any public display of friction between the "football committee" but it doesn't appear they are always on the same page either. Gute drafts a man coverage CB at #1 (Stokes) and LaFleur hires a zone DC; Gute drafts an LT at #1 (Morgan) and LaFleur plays him everywhere but LT; Gute drafts a WR (Golden) at #1 and LaFleur sits him despite injuries to his best receivers (Watson and Reed).
Are they all really pulling in the same direction? Would a unified football operation under a GM do a better job of having one vision for the team? Impossible to know for certain, but there do appear to be some inconsistencies within the present operation.
Guam
February 24, 2026 at 07:59 am
Actually the list isn't all that pathetic NP. It takes four years before a player can have a chance to earn a second contract (the author's cutoff for that list) so Gute's last four drafts aren't even eligible yet. Gute didn't draft well his first couple of years, but his more recent drafts have been more productive.
Your really interesting question is about Gute's drafting versus the coaching staff's ability to develop. Besides the list of current Packers that haven't lived up to their draft status, there are three former Packer draftees that didn't do much in Green Bay but are doing better elsewhere. Oren Burks, Cole Van Lanen and Eric Stokes seemed to thrive under different coaching staffs.
Eric Stokes is a particularly frustrating situation since one of the big Packer problem areas is CB. The Packers could have used the rejuvenated Stokes last season, particularly since he only cost the Raiders $3.5MM in cap space. Gute is far from blameless, but LaFleur and Company have their failures too.
Coldworld
February 24, 2026 at 08:41 am
If you had asked me this time last year, I’d have been a lot more bullish about Gute. However, it’s indisputable that he whiffed on 2 big FA acquisitions, at least in terms of production last year (Hobbs and Banks) and, both now and perhaps for the future his draft last year may potentially be one of his worst. That’s not based on talent as much as help in a year of urgency that led us to pick up Parsons and shorten our cap window and surrendering first round picks till 2028.
The draft and the Parsons acquisition seem contradictory to me. It’s not just Gute, but his actions appear muddled and based upon unrealistic self evaluation that seems to encompass the leadership as a whole. Gute may not have the authority to change that, but he probably does have the ability to not succumb to it. Signs from last year suggest to me that he’s becoming part of that not holding out against it.
Guam
February 24, 2026 at 09:08 am
Gute was pretty good in free agent acquisition until last year. Injuries had something to do with Hobbs and Banks poor performance and Banks looked better late in the year when he got healthier; Hobbs never looked good at any point in the year. If they don't perform to contract in 2026, they will become big black marks against Gute.
I'm fine with the Parsons acquisition, but Gute's 2025 draft did seem odd to me. With Watson, Reed, Doubs and Wicks already in the fold, why draft two WRs within your first three choices? You can only play so many WRs at once and a gadget player like Savion Williams never made much sense to me. An OL or DL would have been much more useful.
Unrealistic self evaluation indeed CW. And Policy just reaffirmed the whole mess.
Coldworld
February 24, 2026 at 09:26 am
The Parsons acquisition certainly ties in with “urgency” but the draft did not. Perhaps the acquisition of Hobbs and Banks was meant to. However they didn’t in practice and, in hindsight, even had they turned out well, it seems to me both the CB room and the OL were still vastly overrated. The same is true of the DL in terms of believing we could muddle through without Clark, which appears to be a belief that persisted into December.
Maybe Gute needed to stand up to Policy and demand full control over coaching or leave. He’d have been in demand I suspect. It’s got to be frustrating watching the handling of the OL and players like Belton and Golden. Sometimes ultimate success has less to do with ability than the intestinal fortitude to know when to put one’s position on the line to permit that ability to be realized. Did Gute just whiff on doing so?
This is what happens when it’s a “shared” vision: not a truly unitary one but a set of accommodations. Sometimes one has to take a stand. He did not and has admitted he was not consulted about LaFleur being extended. Whether he agreed with that decision or not, he should have put his foot down at Policy making the call if he wants to succeed. Since we need him to succeed or leave to prosper, that matters.
dobber
February 24, 2026 at 10:28 am
"perhaps for the future his draft last year may potentially be one of his worst. That’s not based on talent as much as help in a year of urgency that led us to pick up Parsons and shorten our cap window and surrendering first round picks till 2028."
The lens of the draft, which happened long before there was a sniff of Parsons, shifted--yes--but it doesn't change that many of these guys were drafted to play in '26, which was probably the best way to view how they were picked. I think it was Vic Ketchman who said something like: if you need your draft picks to step in and play at a high level right away for you to contend, you're probably not as close to being a contender as you think you are.
"The draft and the Parsons acquisition seem contradictory to me. "
Everything changed in August, and that was before Hobbs (who had a good camp) and Banks had a chance to show. Yes, we've been pointing to a window for a couple seasons, but the acquisition of Parsons was a radical change in whatever "plan" was in place prior to that, in cap, depth charts, expectations, etc., especially for a team that seems to always be more forward looking and less about the right now. We need to question just how close they were in August prior to picking up Parsons, but unexpected opportunity doesn't always lend itself to the long game.
golfpacker61
February 24, 2026 at 08:58 am
"“I have a lot of respect for what they do top to bottom,” said an anonymous NFL executive. “They’ve done some things that people questioned, but they do it right. They got the quarterback right. They’re just really good evaluators.”
What about Creed Humphrey, Cooper DeJean, T J Watt, George Karlaftis, Christian Wilkins, Any CB but Erik Stokes, Devin Lloyd etc, etc, etc. A lot of huge misses too.
dobber
February 24, 2026 at 09:13 am
Who are all people who have never been in my kitchen?
TKWorldWide
February 24, 2026 at 09:32 am
It’s not MY job to give out cookies, but I’ll contact the committee!
dobber
February 24, 2026 at 10:45 am
"The Packers could have used the rejuvenated Stokes last season,"
I wouldn't expect him to show that improvement in a scheme he failed in in GB. He got a chance to play more man coverage in Vegas.
Guam
February 24, 2026 at 11:31 am
Agreed he is a man coverage CB Dobber, but he couldn't have been worse than Hobbs on the outside and he was a whole bunch cheaper. I think our coaching staff failed him.
TKWorldWide
February 24, 2026 at 08:35 am
I think you’re among a growing contingent. But we shall see.
If Micah, Tom, Wyatt, and Kraft had all played in the post season with the same first round exit, I think heads would have rolled rather than been extended.
Starrbrite
February 24, 2026 at 07:37 pm
I think that was a huge possibility—although I think we could have beaten anyone with them.
dobber
February 24, 2026 at 07:23 am
"If the team hovers in the divisional-round tier for the next five years, the conversation will turn."
Apparently Cory hasn't been paying attention to message boards, fan forums, and even mainstream journalism. If he had, he'd move that timeline up considerably.
"Gutekunst has built a strong foundation. The question now is whether he’s willing, when the time comes, to push all the chips in."
Micah Parsons? Gute started his own timer with that move. He's going to have to dig deeper into the cap this off-season to move things forward. This off-season will be the measure of whether they jump into the ring of true contenders, or are happy to shuffle around the edges until their cap collapses and they're forced into trading away assets to fuel the next rebuild.
LambeauPlain
February 24, 2026 at 07:34 am
The article lays the 8 year performance of the Packers "since taking over for Ted Thompson in 2018" squarely at the feet of Brian Gutekuenst.
"The Packers had back-to-back 13-win seasons early in Gutekunst’s tenure and came away empty-handed. At what point does prudence start to look like hesitation?" Coaching has played no role in the burgeoning hesitation, apparently.
The problem is Gutey did NOT take over for Ted...he only assumed part of the GM's duties...only Personnel. Ted's remaining accountabilities were farmed out around the Football Committee table to Russ Ball, LaFleur, and Murphy. The Football Committee has now been enshrined by Ed Policy.
I firmly believe the status quo Management by Committee will continue to generate similar, frustrating results in pursuit of a Lombardi.
MooPack
February 24, 2026 at 07:39 am
We'll see in this 8th year whether Gutekunst and the rest can change their tune or be another Henry the eighth.
Henery the Eighth, I Am!
Second verse same as the first!
stockholder
February 24, 2026 at 07:49 am
Building a foundation that can't weather storms.
Key injuries derailing windows, have happened.
But trading established talent to stay young,
has produced, a "constant revolving door".
The competitiveness at qb produced Willis.
A guy some think will be a super-star.
Willis had nothing to do patience.
And when you look at Gute's long term financial
Commitments.
He's had just as many failures per cap.
Gute's philosophy has restricted MLF. (IMO)
Just as we never known what to expect.
Next up; has always been the question mark.
golfpacker61
February 24, 2026 at 09:10 am
"Building a foundation that can't weather storms." Having solid inexpensive veteran backups always goes a long way to building a stronger team. GB took a big chance counting on Kraft not going down, and having always unavailable Like Musgrave as the insurance. We lost that bet.
"But trading established talent to stay young, has produced, a "constant revolving door".
In that vein Dobber, I would be lobbying to trade Musgrave and sign a vet TE like Charlie Kolar. If we always try to move them too late, we get nothing back to try to replace them. Jenkins and Gary will be those candidates this year.
How would you feel about trading Wyatt for an actual "Run Stuffer", which we need way more than Wyatt? And save the big contract extension on a so-so player(Wyatt). Maybe Wyatt to Tennessee for D'Vondre Sweat and a 5th round pick?
dobber
February 24, 2026 at 09:21 am
Agreed: they need a true Y to shore up the TE room, and I like Kolar as a blocker and upside guy who was boxed in somewhat behind Andrews and LIkely, but do you look for that Y TE on day 3 of the draft and get him for 4 years on the cheap? I don't think Musgrave goes anywhere until his deal runs out.
Too often, other GMs know that if you're shopping a guy, it's a pretext to a cut. If they're really interested in that player, they can just wait you out. Player-for-player just doesn't happen very much except at the cut deadline in August.
golfpacker61
February 24, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Kolar is "projected " to get a quite affordable contract worth only $1.5 million annually. Kolar is a really solid blocker but was way underused as an offensive weapon @ Baltimore. He has great hands and caught over 150 passes for 2050 yards & 23 TDs in 3 years at Iowa State. I honestly believe he is better than Musgrave and it's not even close. He doesn't miss games either.
Coldworld
February 24, 2026 at 05:03 pm
He’s very different from Kolar. In my opinion we need both, but for different roles and reasons. Kraft is the starter. If Kraft is healthy, most of the time we don’t need another weapon as a TE (Musgrave), we need a blocker-in line and lead-which Kolar is-who can provide the odd surprise play and emergency outlet for Love.
That is all LaFleur uses second TEs for. Their targets and yards as TE2s have been minimal throughout his tenure. Unfortunately, Lewis aside, we really haven’t had a good blocking TE (except Kraft).
We need one now partly to free Kraft to do more offensively, partly to spell him and partly as cover if Kraft is hurt for the more physical side. As long as we have Musgrave, he can be used as a weapon and the blocker can remain in his role largely unchanged. Kolar for me would provide that TE 2 blocking solution and do so better than we’ve had since Lewis. Musgrave is the offensive role back up to Kraft this year, not a substitute for either.
stockholder
February 24, 2026 at 11:14 am
Hold on -
I would be lobbying to trade Musgrave and sign a vet TE like Charlie Kolar.
Your losing two things here-
1. A low budget of controlled contracts
2. Comp picks
3. Scheme ready etc.
Trading Wyatt for an actual "Run Stuffer"-
1. They say they missed Wyatt.?
And it can get you a run stuffer with a 3rd rd comp.
Even that 5th you want to trade.
It's the guys that can do both you want.
Without the baggage.
I never wanted to draft Wyatt to start with.
My argument with you and bird dog
was that the Ravens Travis Jones would be better.
golfpacker61
February 24, 2026 at 01:16 pm
No comp pick reduction for a $2 million per year contract is the way it has been explained to me. Kolar wouldn't have to come off the field for pass or run plays. Kolar is just a better all around TE and as cheap or cheaper than Musgrave.
I am with you 100% on Travis Jones over Wyatt in that draft Stockholder. Jones was my favorite DT in that draft by far. And he was available even after our original 3rd round pick in the 2022 draft.
Just think how well that draft could have gone in 2022 for GB.
We could have taken Devin Lloyd, the #1 LB instead of Quay.
We could have drafted Watson @ #28 instead of Wyatt.
We would not traded #53 & #59 that year to move up to #34 to select Watson because we would have picked him @ #28 where we should have.
We would have had #53 or #59 to draft Travis Jones who has been the way better NFL player than Wyatt.
Sorry I am a hindsight guy because the draft is my favorite time of the year. I always match my picks against what GB does.
Cheezehead72
February 24, 2026 at 07:55 am
This quote makes no sense and is still up for debate. "Ultimately, it was the right move because Parsons is the No. 2 defensive game wrecker in the league and it also proved that Gutekunst is willing to sacrifice the future for the present."
It makes no sense because the present has passed. Yes Parsons is a great player but he got hurt and we ended up with a 7th seed in the playoffs. There was no change from the last two seasons. So that trade did nothing to the present. Now the future has arrived and we have no first round pick and we will have to conduct some salary cap gymnastics and stick the landing to keep a competitive team. Oh and remember Parsons will be out to start the season.
We do not know if this trade will work out in the future as it has not happened yet. Like I said last season I will tell you in 3 to 4 years whether it was a good trade. Right now I do not see it being a good trade. It is up to the Packers leadership and team to prove my opinion wrong.
TKWorldWide
February 24, 2026 at 08:45 am
So, we all need to be PATIENT for the next 3 or 4 years? 😉
golfpacker61
February 24, 2026 at 09:17 am
Trading for Parsons was a low risk all in move by the Packers. Honestly, just how good and impactful have our first-round picks been over the last 7 years anyway? Giving up drafting 2 players in 2026/2027 that probably won't start but have "Potential" or a great "RAS" score, and an aging Kenny Clark coming off a bad year was a great move.
We got a young "Game Wrecker" who can make an average defense look better. If we had 2 average NFL talent CBs playing this year, and an average Edge rusher on the other side of Parsons, our defense could have carried us into the playoffs. I would make that trade every day all day long.
Starrbrite
February 24, 2026 at 07:41 pm
Right on Golf—preach it. I’m with you.
stockholder
February 24, 2026 at 11:26 am
Truthfully -
They wouldn't have made the play-offs without Parsons.
Defense-
Great players are what you need
Which is why Wolf wanted Reggie White.
And think of the way Gary played.
I only had to look at Gute's drafting to know
he wouldn't get a faster return.
Great players do the job right away.
Example -
You've been critical of
Van Ess
Walker
Wyatt - you want to trade
And how many failed in the secondary
where you want a CB now.
golfpacker61
February 24, 2026 at 01:23 pm
I like Van Ness, I am a Hawkeye. He was a mistake @ #12.
I would have selected Devin Lloyd over Quay, who was the 8th best LB in 2022?
Wyatt would not have been my pick, Travis Jones was better. And I would trade Wyatt to the Titans for Sweat and a 5th round pick. and then select Aaron GravesDT-Iowa who had 6.5 sacks last year.
We need a CB room overhaul now, or the window just keeps getting smaller.
LambeauPlain
February 24, 2026 at 12:19 pm
"So that trade did nothing to the present."
Oh, but it did...the recent past that was the "present" at the time made a HUGE difference to the Team. You are weakly trying to defend your never ending narrative that Parson's was a bad trade...you were wrong for most of the season...but thanks to an ACL tear to a star NFL player who was never injured before, proves your narrative?
Your opinion is just that...and seemed focused on a hope Parson's injury lingers well into next season so you can pretend you knew this would happen all along.
Starrbrite
February 24, 2026 at 09:51 pm
Well said Lambeau—excellent!!
Since'61
February 24, 2026 at 08:12 am
Stability is good. However if the NFL had not changed the playoff format the Packers "stability" would have been hovering out of the playoffs for the last 4 seasons (22-25).
This off season is critical for the Packers to return to the playoffs and be better than one and done in the playoffs. Gute is not the only issue. MLF needs to step up his coaching if the Packers are going to move deeper into the playoffs. I wonder if Gute had total control of football operations if he would have kept MLF this long since Gute did not have the opportunity to choose MLF as his HC in the first place. Now he can't replace him even if he would prefer to.
IN any case Gute needs to reinforce the OL, DL and CB rooms this offseason. Thanks, Since '61
TKWorldWide
February 24, 2026 at 09:35 am
HUGE offseason coming up! Gonna be interesting. And crucial for success in 2026. Please, no high RAS projects.
TXCHEESE
February 24, 2026 at 08:39 am
I believe BG has done a pretty solid job. GB has remained competitive on his watch, and not had to take on a rebuild. Does he have his weaknesses? Yep, every GM does, or they would be winning the SB every year according to some folks. I can remember some disasters from Ted, especially in his later years...drafting ex-point guards for defensive backs, and signing waaay past their prime TE's to free agent deals.
I do think Gute should enlist some expertise on OL and DL evaluation. GB needs some immediate upgrades on both. Otherwise, he has a pretty competitive roster.
He took his shot last year with Parsons and was widely praised around the NFL landscape and this site for doing so. Injuries were a huge story this past season. That doesn't excuse GB from crapping the bed down the stretch and losing 2 very winnable games against the Effing bears. But, as they say, poop happens. Get back up and go at it again.
golfpacker61
February 24, 2026 at 09:25 am
"I do think Gute should enlist some expertise on OL and DL evaluation."
I wouldn't stop there TX, add stop trying to fit square pegs into round holes. While it's a good concept to have players that can perform at multiple positions on the OL, Maybe just draft a really good OG to play OG. And stop trying to shoehorn DBs into something they haven't done successfully before.
I would add sometimes the best player for the Packers is sitting right there in front of us. It shouldn't take getting hit with a 2x4 in the head to figure out Creed Humphrey was 10 levels better than Josh Myers. Or that we need CB help and Cooper DeJean was right there. Those picks did not require being a "Draft Genius!"
TXCHEESE
February 24, 2026 at 10:29 am
Very valid points on both of your examples. I will admit, being uniformed concerning the Humphrey/Myers options, but I too, was absolutely sure if DeJean was available for the taking, GB would jump.
Starrbrite
February 24, 2026 at 09:57 pm
Yes, how did we miss on Creed, Cooper—-and for heaven’s sake —TJ.
I’m a Guty apologist but those misses were staggering.
dobber
February 24, 2026 at 10:38 am
"GB has remained competitive on his watch, and not had to take on a rebuild."
The rebuild happened, it was just very quick and they got lucky when they turned over the core of the roster. Who's left that played with ARod on his last playoff team in GB? Not that many guys.
"I do think Gute should enlist some expertise on OL and DL evaluation."
That was supposed to be Milt Hendrickson for the OL when they brought him in. He's now asscended above the scouting. They also added James Campen last season to do some scouting and advising (then he was hired to coach the OL by MM).
Bitternotsour
February 24, 2026 at 10:53 am
Rebuilt without significant bloodletting. Thank god he hit on Love. Shame he didn't get the haul from Denver for Rodgers, but that's on LaFleur/Murphy. Gutekunst presented the deal, John Schneider reaped the rewards, the two Ted Thompson apostles. I'd say that is as good of an argument for a GM/DIrector of Football Ops that can be made.
#firerussball
Coldworld
February 24, 2026 at 05:20 pm
It will be interesting to see if Morgan turns out to be a starting caliber T if, as expected, he replaces Walker. If he does, it will make Gute’s other perceived weakness, early rounders, look much less valid. More so if LaFleur can figure out a way to unlock Golden, even if it’s just scheming him open to do what he did in the playoffs.
If Morgan takes off and Belton continues to looks promising as a G, some of the current frustration with Gute will perhaps shift to LaFleur via Butkus and Stenavich and how they have handled talent. I don’t expect LVN to break out, rather just to be a decent rotational run first player, but if Belton, Morgan and Golden impress, Gute will look a lot better even if that is the case.
LeotisHarris
February 24, 2026 at 08:46 am
The Corner. A cozy home to mixed metaphors and nonquitters. Is it wise to push all the chips in after building a strong foundation? Does the pope shit in the woods? Does functional equal fearless? We'll have to burn that bridge when we get to it. Is quiet competence admirable? Not sure, but this is not rocket surgery.
What do we value more, parades or patience? Why not imbue the mundane with the choreography of comfort? A fundamental tenet of logic theory is that, from a false premise, any implication is true. Either way, it takes a big dog to weigh a ton. That's why the neighbors always drove a Buick.
Guam
February 24, 2026 at 09:15 am
Did you mean "non sequitur" rather than "nonquitter" Leotis?
Bitternotsour
February 24, 2026 at 10:01 am
both sorta work, don't you think?
LeotisHarris
February 24, 2026 at 10:41 am
Doh! I did. Pointing out the fly in Cory's eye while ignoring the twig in my own.
Thanks, Guam for your keen eye and editing.
TKWorldWide
February 24, 2026 at 09:47 am
It begs the question: What weighs more, a pound of feathers or a pound of bricks? I’m in the midst of researching that, and I’ll report back on the 51st of the month.
Bitternotsour
February 24, 2026 at 10:05 am
Leotis, message boards start with a foundation of false premise and (self) assumed competence. Laughable at heart, but positive true. Any implication is true, particularly when the trolls take over (and they're out in force, like the return of mosquitos in the summer)
NFLfan
February 24, 2026 at 09:00 am
Yes, Gute was not given full GM authority, but he has been responsible for player personnel choices. I wish one of the writers would tally (in both Draft capital and actual real $$), the consequences of his poor early round Draft choices and the toll it has taken on the team. Very few of his early round choices have lived up to their Draft status, ie., Gary, Stokes, Q Walker, LVN, Savage, J Morgan, J. Myers, Amos, Belton, Musgrave, etc.
He is responsible for the current state of the OL, DL, and CB room. A contending team would have acknowledged his deficiencies and moved on, but there are a group of men who are preventing the proper growth of the Packers. (They are acting in collusion, paying themselves well and have the protection of being in a group) -reminds me of the MO of many politicians.
The Packers will not emerge as a seriously contending team until this group is pried loose.
PatrickGB
February 24, 2026 at 09:36 am
It’s the offseason. My rose colored glasses are firmly on. We do better this year.
dobber
February 24, 2026 at 10:32 am
OH YEAAHHHH!!!
golfpacker61
February 24, 2026 at 09:41 am
The best moves for GB to make this off season and wouldn't cost a ton of $$, would be to sign/buy 5 cheaper, upgrade FAs at key positions to replace and strengthen our actual weaker/suspect position groups. I am talking about LB, NT, CB, TE, KR. Those 5 moves would fill holes and open up the most crucial draft for GB in the last 10 years.
We don't have a wheelbarrow full of cash this year to spend, we still have our own players that we need to resign, but 5 new solid, veteran, upgrade, players for about $15 million total per year would go a long way to making GB an actual contender rather than a pretender.
The only position group that needs a total makeover is CB, but if we don't that will be our Achilles heel going forward. Buy/sign 2 inexpensive, younger, veteran BOUNDARY CBs like Rasul Douglas, Rock Ya-Sin or whoever has actual starting experience and doesn't miss every other game. THEN draft 2 BOUNDARY CBs before the 5th round. Then hit the UFDA market. We can rebuild the CB room in a year, and having Parsons means just average CBs will benefit from him chasing QBs into mistakes. Prioritize size, speed, health, and having takeaway skills.
the_gavia_pass
February 24, 2026 at 09:56 am
let's start saying 90% of NFL owners would have lost patience in that terrible April 2020 night. the worst mistake in packers history, when gute traded up for a mediocre QB with no communication to the HOF starter QB, so ruining the relationship and also ruining packers chances to upgrade the roster to go to SB. he would have been fired in almost all NFL teams.
but packers had a mediocre president and a terrible organization with ball gutey and lafleur all on the same level reporting to Murphy.
why gutey Is still here, now that Policy has confirmed that organization? how a good or great GM can accept to be on the same level of russ ball or lafleur?
in my opinion gutey Is Just trying to save his ass, he Is not a John Schneider, he Is not chasing excellence in any way and the SB.
but now I think he Is not the real problem...the real great problem in GB Is that parasites board of management...that Is the GB cancer
Bitternotsour
February 24, 2026 at 10:08 am
Let's start by saying 90% of everything you write is horseshit. the remainder is pure comedy.
Go ride your bike, we're all better for it.
dobber
February 24, 2026 at 10:39 am
There are no longer any lines at the luge run.
NFLfan
February 24, 2026 at 11:04 am
@BN-I continue to worry about your hostility-as a medical professional, my guess is chronic hypertension and likely undiagnosed depression, exacerbated by the lack of appreciable sunlight in the beautiful PNW
I think GP is on to something.
the_gavia_pass
February 24, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Reading you often and now knowing you are a medical professional...I'm Happy to live in Italy fare from medical professionals like you.
I am the founder of the Italian Packers fans, you can read all my posts in the last 11 years in my group and you will find out I Always had a good point on the packers future with this organization. I am out of green bay so I can clearly see how people Is so short-sighted there...it's the typical small city mentality. but the reality Is Just 2 SB in 60 years. so Just and average organization. BTW I climb 900 meters in 1 hour by bike..try to do It.
NFLfan
February 24, 2026 at 02:20 pm
My post wasn't directed at you. I guess it was lost 'in translation'
the_gavia_pass
February 24, 2026 at 12:03 pm
don't worry I ride 2 times a week every week of the year. we have 20 degrees here in Milano today we already can climb mountains while you still are in your artic frozen tundra 24h a day in your home.
Oxymoron 3339
February 24, 2026 at 04:38 pm
I agree with Gavia.
We go to the NFC championship in January 2020 but we couldn’t stop the run and instead of going all in we pick backups at QB, RB and TE.
Why in the world would anyone think we will ever go all in with Gute.
jannesbjornson
February 25, 2026 at 07:34 am
The 2019 Draft deep-sixed any chances to put them over the top. Elton Jenkins saved the overall score. Gary chosen over any of the remaining D-line blue chips was inexcusable. Then the cluster selecting Savage. Moving into round two for another guy would have been the better route.
splitpea1
February 24, 2026 at 10:10 am
The problem with is Gute is that is he's been relatively more successful in the later rounds and with UDFAs than the first three rounds--where you usually get your impact players. His first round selections have been spotty, his second round selections better, and with the exception of Kraft, has largely butchered the third round. And at least before you could praise his more notable free agent acquisitions, but the signings of Banks and Hobbs has tarnished that aspect. While the Packers have been competitive over the years under Gute's management, he's going to have to do a much better job of finding star players who are able to contribute quicker in the early rounds if a Trophy is ever to be achieved.
I think it's time to turn the corner on the Packers' version of "draft and develop"; it worked beautifully during the first few years of Ted's tenure, but now a fresh and more successful approach is needed. Can Gute change his stripes and take the unmistakable blue chippers right in front of him or is he going to continue to bank on athletic projects that may or may not pan out?
Swisch
February 24, 2026 at 11:41 am
The key is that Gute regularly puts the Packers in a position to win a title.
He can't completely control the results.
Who picked the Patriots and Seahawks in the Super Bowl?
***
Gute is very good, but there's always room for improvement. One, don't draft developmental players in the first three rounds, only in the last few rounds. Two, don't pay highest salary on second contracts, as in Jaire; pay top five or top ten. If a player isn't happy with that, then let him go. Maybe an exception can be made for a true difference-maker like Micah.
LaFleur is very good, but he needs to get his act together as far as adjustments in the second half of games. Also, he needs to make more coaching calls from his own judgment in that particular situation (e.g., play calling, going for it on fourth down, throwing the challenge flag), and not what the analytics or the crowd says he should do.
I'm excited about the upcoming season for the Packers as having a real shot at winning the Super Bowl.
The drama is in the willingness of Gute and LaFleur and the players to make it happen, or at least take the Packers to the fullness of their potential.
For the most part, Gute positions the Packers for titles. I'm glad we have him as our GM.
Oxymoron 3339
February 24, 2026 at 07:38 pm
Must be related to
Oxymoron 3339
February 24, 2026 at 04:41 pm
When we had 4 & 12 I always felt like we had a punchers chance.
I haven’t felt that in several years but it’s not because of Love. It’s because our roster is not that good.
Oxymoron 3339
February 24, 2026 at 04:44 pm
Eight years of zero first team all pro’s drafted.
Oxymoron 3339
February 24, 2026 at 04:48 pm
We are competing with the teams that have won the last 8 Super Bowls, primarily the Chiefs. One of the biggest differences is that their GM Brett Veech is way better than Gute. It’s not even close.