Packers Make Brian Gutekunst the Team's Next General Manager
The Green Bay Packers have their next general manager to succeed Ted Thompson, and it'll once again be through the Ron Wolf tree.
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reported that the Packers' director of player personnel, Brian Gutekunst, was set to interview with the Houston Texans for their vacant GM job, however, never did.
McClain said that Gutekunst, 44, arrived in Houston, but had already accepted a job to become the Packers' next GM.
Gutekunst, at times, seemed like the least worthy candidate for the job with the sudden uprise in commendation for the Packers' Vice President of Football Administration and Player Finance, Russ Ball. Eliot Wolf -- who had steadily worked his way up the ranks in the Packers' front office for the last 13 years -- also seemed like a clear-cut favorite over Gutekunst.
Now, as reported Sunday morning, Gutekunst is Thompson's replacement. It's a five-year deal, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Much like Wolf, Gutekunst has steadily earned promotions within the organization for the past 19 years. He originally gamed to Green Bay in 1997 as an intern in the scouting department after serving with the New Orleans Saints for two years prior.
After a brief stint with the Packers, Gutekunst became a scouting assistant for the Kansas City Chiefs but returned to the Packers in the final days of the 1998 season. That was when he was named a college scout for the East Coast by Wolf Sr., who was the Executive Vice President and General Manager at the time.
His next promotion was to the director of player personnel during the 2016 offseason, and now, to general manager.
Gutekunst is the Packers' best scouting asset, a craft that he's perfected for nearly two decades up to this point. He interviewed with team president Mark Murphy and coach Mike McCarthy on Friday, and, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky, "knocked it out of the park" in his interview.
Gutekunst was one of the frontrunners last year to be the next GM San Francisco 49ers but chose to return to Green Bay in soon-to-be fulfilled hopes of becoming the team's next GM. The 49ers, meanwhile, went with John Lynch.
Despite the earlier -- and false -- reports of McCarthy leaving if Ball was to be named the GM, his job security is safe for another season with Gutekunst being hired. Now, it's evident that Ball will remain at his current post and McCarthy may finish out his contract -- which runs through 2019 -- until his tenure with the Packers is over or until they choose to extend him once again.
Gutekunst replaces Thompson, who was transitioned into a new role as the team's senior advisor to football operations after serving as the GM from 2005-2017.
__________________________
Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (150)
Bure9620
January 07, 2018 at 01:09 pm
Yeeeeeeeeeees
Turophile
January 07, 2018 at 02:05 pm
GM age has just dropped from 65 (in January) to 44.
That kind of difference can give a whole new energy level to the position.
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 02:11 pm
Gutekunst has to be eager to prove himself, and he's got a great opportunity.
lou
January 07, 2018 at 08:37 pm
It is a Great Opportunity and a long enough deal to prove himself. It looks like Packer President Murphy who some called the "paper pusher" made a sound decision above the fray, in the mold of Bob Harlan. Also for those that can't grasp NFL Writers Hall of Fame Bob McGinn's work, here is what Mike Florio just posted on NBC Sports, "Chances are that someone (perhaps Bob McGinn) will have a detailed story regarding things done behind the scenes to help Gutekunst get the job, and things that will happen behind the scenes now that the Packers have a new football boss". Time for some of you guys to pay attention.
EddieLeeIvory
January 07, 2018 at 09:41 pm
What does that mean in terms of who our defensive coordinator will be?
That is absolutely critical.
We need a new man in charge who doesn't fall asleep by the 3rd quarter.
GBPDAN1
January 07, 2018 at 01:10 pm
Way better then Russ Ball
Turophile
January 07, 2018 at 02:02 pm
That's as good a guess, based on nothing, as any other............
jeremyjjbrown
January 07, 2018 at 02:09 pm
Yep, we'd all like to think we know who the best person was. But, we really don't.
That said, it passes the eyeball test from at least this fan. I hope Ball and Wolfe want to stick around and work with him.
Irish_Cheesehead
January 07, 2018 at 03:49 pm
I agree. The last thing we needed was a tightfisted TT clone. This is great news! Can't wait for the draft now. We might actually take someone in the first round that grades out as first round talent!
NashvilleCheesehead
January 07, 2018 at 04:08 pm
Given MM's support, I think more free agent activity is in our future. MM made his frustration more evident over past couple of years. Hopefully we will see good decision making on both the retention and the acquisition side of FA. GO PACK GO!!!!!!!!
GBPDAN1
January 07, 2018 at 01:12 pm
Let's hope for the best, Folks! Go Pack !
ShanghaiKid
January 07, 2018 at 01:11 pm
Thank God it wasn’t Ball, I would have preferred Wolf, but Gutey is a solid choice. Go Pack Go!
NickPerry
January 08, 2018 at 04:33 am
I agree but I'm very happy with Gutekunst, I think it's a solid hire. Now the optimum outcome from this would be if Wolf stayed as Gutekunst's right hand man and Russ Ball stays EXACTLY where he is. Because this is the first off-season in a long time where change is rampant in GB, I haven't followed other job openings and who's filling them as closely, like how many GM openings are still open.
Hopefully Wolf stays at least another few years and between Gutekunst and Wolf, they can assemble a SB WINNING team. I'm just happy as hell the new GM has a background in scouting. A LONG background!
ShanghaiKid
January 08, 2018 at 11:45 am
Totally agree NP, having a personnel guy willing to navigate trades and FA to maximize Rodgers window is exactly what they needed.
It sounds like the Browns might try to scoop Wolf up, I don’t know if the Packers can block the move but I hope they can because that would be 3 top level execs that the Browns poached.
4zone
January 07, 2018 at 01:11 pm
Somebody else post so I can give this two thumbs up!
Bearmeat
January 07, 2018 at 01:12 pm
I would have personally preferred Schneider, Dorsey, McKenzie or Wolf (in that order). I'm sure Wolf will bail as soon as he can now.
But this is better than a cap guy. I was sure it would be Ball. Hopefully, Gutekunst has some nuts to make some moves and get ARod some players.
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 01:15 pm
I've seen speculation that Wolf and Gutekunst like working together which might keep Wolf in GB (assuming he isn't hired away into another GM opening) for at least 2018. If Wolf isn't hired to be a GM, just about anything else is--at best--a parallel move that might slow down his ascent to GM positions.
I'm just happy we have something concrete in place instead of the last six days of crazy-ass speculation and paranoia.
Bearmeat
January 07, 2018 at 01:20 pm
Dobber, but isn't that half the reason that blogs exist? :D
More seriously though, you KNOW that Gutekunst WILL be compared to the success of the other 4 men I mentioned. I doubt Ball gets a GM job. That's it's own type of paranoia.
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 01:29 pm
Well, there's normal paranoia...
Pot-induced paranoia...
Crystal meth inspired paranoia...
Then there's about 20 more levels of bat-s#!t crazy before we get to what we've been looking at since TT stepped down.
I'm happy to be able to go back to our regularly-scheduled bitching about the Packers' crappy defense and potential internal DC candidates...
I have a hard time comparing GMs. There are so many variables as you go from one job to the next...coaches...players/trade bait...injuries...owners...draft position. I'm just hoping Gutekunst has a level enough head to not completely blow the roof off the joint just because he can. Be smart. Make good moves. Remember that winning in the short term is the goal, but being able to still win in 5-7 years is pretty important, too.
Bearmeat
January 07, 2018 at 01:43 pm
I responded to your last point in the thread right below this one.
jeremyjjbrown
January 07, 2018 at 02:13 pm
"I'm happy to be able to go back to our regularly-scheduled bitching about the Packers' crappy defense and potential internal DC candidates..."
Now just No Darren Perry as DC...
Oppy
January 07, 2018 at 03:34 pm
I'd be good with Darren Perry at DC.
I don't have a problem with 3-4 defense, and when the Packers hired Darren Perry as their safeties coach, LeBeau commented that Perry would become a great defensive Coordinator in the NFL some day...
Perry didn't just play for LeBeau, but he coached under him as well for a year or two, so LeBeau had first-hand exposure to Perry's coaching prowess and I would assume his general defensive acumen.
That all being said.. if the packers stay with an internal pick for DC, i could see it going to Winston Moss, and I don't feel as good about Moss as I would Perry. Any way you slice it, I really have no basis to approve or disapprove of an internal pick, I guess.. But I'd be alright with Perry
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 04:44 pm
By all accounts, Detroit is set to try to hire Patricia away from the Pats, so Moss has nowhere else to go, if that's true.
Brian
January 07, 2018 at 05:08 pm
Wish they would've hired him :(
jeremyjjbrown
January 07, 2018 at 05:05 pm
Perry totally failed to coach the Safety group, which was the worst position group on the team. How he could be an effective DC, I have no idea.
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 05:30 pm
They're very different responsibilities and skill sets, IMO, but you're right in that it's rare for a guy to get his shot at DC if he hasn't been at least a good position coach.
"which was the worst position group on the team."
Plenty of competition there...TE, OLB...
Oppy
January 07, 2018 at 05:38 pm
Just throwing this out there, but I'd deem the insight of a legendary HOF DC with a combined 60 years of NFL experience (45 as a coach) as being perhaps a better indicator of potential than, let's say, the production of a position group for one single year.
Keep in mind last year HaHa was a pro bowler who everyone in the league thought was going to explode (and he did.. just not the way everyone thought) and Morgan Burnett is a solid NFL starter who didn't see the field as much this season with injury and was being asked to play ILB a great deal as well.
cuervo
January 07, 2018 at 01:48 pm
"I'm just happy we have something concrete in place instead of the last six days of crazy-ass speculation and paranoia"
Boy...no kidding...the conspirancy theories and "knowledge" of people that nobody knows anything about was way over the top. I might add, that I correctly identified the load of crap "reporting" that Bob McGinn and others once again was incorrect.
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 01:47 pm
"So, everyone that said Murphy was an idiot, Ball was just a bean counter and Wolf is the closest thing to God himself, can now sheepishly apologize."
All those things might still be true, but at least the GM insanity is now over...
stockholder
January 07, 2018 at 02:49 pm
You must keep in mind that they said, "The New GM will be appointed sunday." They already had their minds made up!
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 03:09 pm
Very possibly...
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 04:46 pm
Now that it's over, I think it's fun to speculate that all this "Ball as GM" stuff was leaked out by TT himself just to get a last stab at Bob McGinn. I can half imagine him sending a snarky, "gotcha!" text to McGinn, except that texting on a rotary phone must be a bitch.
chugwater
January 07, 2018 at 04:56 pm
I'd rather have three weeks of crazy-ass speculation and getting the right guy than a hurried one week wrong guy. Although as a fan, your point is well taken.
Picking a GM is like evaluating a draft class. You don't know until several years down the road.
DD
January 07, 2018 at 03:40 pm
Exactly right bro packer fan! Ball leaves? Okay. Now we'll see how agressive he is with free agency and draft choices. Rodgers has 5-6 years left. Let's go GM!! Now, outside for DC!! New eyes, new attitude, agressive, domineering defense needed now!!
4zone
January 07, 2018 at 01:12 pm
There, 4 thumbs up.
4zone
January 07, 2018 at 01:13 pm
Now see if Wolf gets a shot in Houston instead.
GBPDAN1
January 07, 2018 at 02:04 pm
Maybe the Russ Ball rumours were released to make us feel better about the real new hire... lol.
I'm good with Brian Gutekunst. I'm excited about Philbin. Let's get an imposing DC, now !
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 01:17 pm
Why not feel good about Gutekunst? None of these three guys have an independent track record...at this stage, each is a similar roll of the dice.
Bearmeat
January 07, 2018 at 01:24 pm
Wolf has the name recognition. And there is such a thing in the US that the young up and comer will be the next great virtuoso. Let's call it the Tiger Woods effect.
That said, you are right in that tor every Tiger Woods, there are 5 Michelle Wie's. For every Barack Obama, there are a few Sarah Palin's (yes, no politics - I'm just talking about rocketing to super stardom here, not policy). For every Peyton Manning, there are 5 Blake Bortles.
Actually, I"m watching Bortles now. Ye Gods he is bad. The Jags with ARod would be a dynasty!
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 01:35 pm
"The Jags with ARod would be a dynasty!"
It's a picture of 'what could've been' if the Packers actually played some defense.
Look at what Bortles is throwing to, also...
Ds300916
January 07, 2018 at 01:36 pm
Well multiple years in a row of top 5 picks doesn't exactly hurt your talent pool.
NickPerry
January 08, 2018 at 04:35 am
And an active approach (VERY active) in Free Agency.
Bearmeat
January 07, 2018 at 01:40 pm
Yeah, Capers sucked for at least 5 of his 9 years, but to me, it's clear that we don't have the personnel to play that quality of defense. And I don't think you can draft that deep of a defense alone. We'd have needed to augment with trades and free agency - which hurts the cap in the long run. Look at the last 3 great defenses in the league: JAX, SEA, SF. All three used the draft as the main avenue of player procurement. But all 3 also used free agency and trades liberally.
That also gets me to our other point of contention here. IMO to get to the top and stay there, you have to carry an uncomfortable (but not crazy) amount of risk. Especially when you have an aging QB who is still great but might not be in the mid-term future.
Bearmeat
January 07, 2018 at 01:42 pm
PS: The Jags do have a couple of front line WRs. They're both hurt. Out for the year. But Bortles has been missing guys by Hundley-esque distances all year. I live in the JAX market. I've seen this team multiple times this year in person and on TV.
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 01:45 pm
"The Jags do have a couple of front line WRs. They're both hurt. Out for the year."
Exactly. I think Allen Robinson is a free agent after the season, isn't he? Whatever the case, Fournette and the run game take enough pressure off Bortles that he can manage games and let the defense win for them...he's a poor man's Trent Dilfer (YIKES!!!).
Bearmeat
January 07, 2018 at 01:53 pm
Yeah, you pretty much nailed it.
ARob is a free agent after the year, and the Jags don't have a ton of cap room, so I'd bet he walks. He wants to play with a good QB too. But I don't think GB should jump in those waters. ARod and Davante are very very similar players. Neither are burners, but they are both very strong and very good with the ball in their hands.
We need a Z with jets.
NickPerry
January 08, 2018 at 04:44 am
Right now the Jags have about $24 million for 2018 in cap space. Bortles is scheduled to make over $19 million with NO dead money. IMO Bortles is good as gone and the Jags will be in the market for either Cousins or perhaps Alex Smith AND probably land on of them.
I would LOVE Allen Robinson wearing #15 in GB. I'm thinking an aggressive GM could land Robinson on a one year prove it deal since he's coming off a ACL injury (Like Jefferys received from the Eagles).
The best part of DREAMING up these scenarios is NOW that's a possibility with Gutekunst in place!!!!!!!!!
Coldworld
January 07, 2018 at 02:58 pm
We may not have had the personnel, but I don’t think we used what we had effectively either.
DD
January 07, 2018 at 03:42 pm
Capers was stale, to complex for vommincation. Simpify. Know your assignments, tackle!! Now a couple of fricken animal pass rushers!! PRESSURE!
chugwater
January 07, 2018 at 05:03 pm
I think we are 2-3 guys away on defense too. Clark is a piece. King is a piece. Everyone else is replaceable.
Bure9620
January 07, 2018 at 01:49 pm
Dobber, Would you feel better about Ball?? Of the 3 unknown commodities we know multiple teams have had interest in Gutekunst and some in Wolf. I do not see any teams banging on the Packers door for Russ Ball or the Packers having to reject other teams requests to interview him. Simply because no one wants to interview him. Pretty clear the Packers were scared of losing Gutekunst to Houston.
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 02:05 pm
You're spot on: nobody has ever, to my knowledge, ever interviewed Ball for a GMs job. Why is that? Potentially because he's not a conventional GM candidate. Does that mean he couldn't do the job well? I wasn't as scared of him as others here were. I think he'd require a stronger support staff to be at his best early on than maybe Wolf or Gutekunst (or a candidate from the outside with stronger ties in the scouting community), but that doesn't preclude him from being a good GM. I don't think any of these guys are going to be TTs puppet, but I wouldn't be surprised if they go to that well on occasion.
Too much of the anti-Ball stuff was rampant speculation and paranoia, but all three of these guys are speculative hires. The only ones who really aren't are guys from the outside with track records as GMs.
If the Packers hired Gutekunst because they were afraid Houston might take him and NOT because they felt that he was their best candidate for the job, then--IMHO--they're asking for what they get.
Coldworld
January 07, 2018 at 03:04 pm
In my view it was less about Ball and more about what the hiring of Ball would have signified in terms of the culture and key measure of success. Thankfully they went with a personnel side person.
BG seems more qualified than any of the internal candidates on paper so let’s all hope that he showed a vision we will all appreciate when he “knocked it out of the park” during his Friday interview.
4zone
January 07, 2018 at 01:21 pm
Gutekunst has a longer track record than just Ted too.
4zone
January 07, 2018 at 01:28 pm
Now we need our DC
Irish_Cheesehead
January 07, 2018 at 03:54 pm
Just don't bring Bob Sanders back.
croatpackfan
January 07, 2018 at 01:30 pm
I'm astonished with the quality of the insidersa information Bob McGinn has lately...
Thank you!
P. S. I'm glad the promotion comes from within. I do not think Schneider is so much better than Brian Gutenkunst that Packers would spend the draft pick in an attempt to put him under pressure for GM.
Btw, do you know that Gutenkunst, written as Guten Kunst in German means Good Art... :-)
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 01:35 pm
"I'm astonished with the quality of the insidersa information Bob McGinn has lately...
Thank you!"
POW!!!
I don't think the Packers could afford to spend the pick for Schneider. If they really wanted him, they would've had to battle it out over whether or not moving to GB constitutes a promotion...which would slow things down.
Bearmeat
January 07, 2018 at 02:03 pm
Agreed. I think Murphy would have won a grievance. Schneider does not have full personnel control in SEA. But was that worth the slowdown?
Highly debatable.
I personally wanted Dorsey. Until about 4 weeks ago, he would have been free.
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 02:10 pm
Most of the negative vibes I'd read on Dorsey seemed to be rooted in his butting heads with the owner in KC. That's not necessarily a problem in GB. But, if I'm Dorsey, I just got a peach job...
Bearmeat
January 07, 2018 at 02:33 pm
I don't care how much draft capital CLE has, that owner is a travesty. GB is a better job based on that alone. That, and A-Aron.
WKUPackFan
January 07, 2018 at 01:52 pm
A McGinn column bashing Gutenkunst and claiming that there was disagreement within the front office over the choice will be published by tonight.
Bearmeat
January 07, 2018 at 02:09 pm
lol. Bob McGinn is the ultimate: "GETOFFMYLAWN" neighbor by now.
jeremyjjbrown
January 07, 2018 at 06:46 pm
At least he has the guts to call bullshit on 1265. Most of the other Press are willing to listen to the same vapid BS from TT and MM over and over without question.
Brian
January 07, 2018 at 06:03 pm
One more instance to solidify him as a curmudgeon. Still trying to piss on the Packers.
Coldworld
January 07, 2018 at 01:45 pm
Thank you for a football person!!! I’ve no idea about the merits of Gutekunst versus Wolf versus outsiders mentioned, but at least we went with a personnel side person at the top.
Good luck BG.
ottscay
January 07, 2018 at 02:23 pm
This is my preferred outcome (given that I don't think Schneider is worth draft picks to acquire). I know Wolf is a fan fave because of his name, but he doesn't have as broad of experience as Gutekunst (e.g. Gutekunst coached). Also, despite widespread expectation that Wolf will be a GM somewhere he hasn't much positive response to his interviews with the niners and Colts, while Gutekunst was raved about after his 49ers interview before he pulled out - so there may be some advantage to Gutekunst's people skills/management style. I do hope Russ Ball will stay on, and obviously I hope Wolf will as well, but even if he doesn't Gutekunst should be able to keep the scouting pipeline stocked for the future.
rdent
January 07, 2018 at 01:54 pm
This could turn out to be a good hire. One reason is they may be able to retain Wolf and Ball, at least through 2018. You can bet compensation for Schneider was more than GB was willing to part with, which I beleive would have included draft picks. They got 12 to shop with, I can't wait for the draft and FA starts in march. We will see then if BG will be more proactive in Free Agency than TT.
MytQ
January 07, 2018 at 02:06 pm
My oh my. It's only been a week and GB has a new GM. Looks to me like the entire process was flawed. The organization had no clue what the hell they were doing. Just one big cluster. Congrats to BG.
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 02:17 pm
Huh? I don't think it played out much differently from what we'd expect. Once they got past the Rooney Rule interview yesterday (Doug Whaley), Gutekunst withdrew from consideration in Houston and they didn't waste much time in naming their GM...
MytQ
January 07, 2018 at 02:19 pm
Just a small attempt at sarcasm. People need to step back and let the process play out. I have enough things in my own life that I can control then to stress over a new GM and coaches. But I get it. Its our Packers.
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 02:40 pm
Yeah, ya got me... :)
stockholder
January 07, 2018 at 02:09 pm
Time to fire Murphy. He just didn't want Wolf. I'm sure it was age discrimination. No body ever listens to the young voice anymore. Murphy knew Brian Gutekunst was his ace to stop the talk of wolf. If he couldn't have Ball, then he had to go with Brian. Everything else reported was just to make Wolf look inferrer. The smart thing for Wolf to do is leave. Insubordination will pop up if he has a disagreement, or takes to the press. Suck asses follow each other. This team is in a RE-build. MM will be gone in 2 years. And if you have any player favorites, it won't matter what YOU THINK. DEMAND all you want. The deaf and Dumb still run the show.
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 02:16 pm
Hey! You kids! GET OFF MY LAWN!!!
I bet Gutekunst was behind Davante Adams's extension, too... ;)
stockholder
January 07, 2018 at 02:28 pm
I hope he was. Just watch what gets MM fired. ;)
TommyG
January 08, 2018 at 07:23 pm
Who half-voted? LOL
Doug Niemczynski
January 07, 2018 at 02:26 pm
Lol..Funny
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 02:35 pm
In Brian we believe?
Brian
January 07, 2018 at 06:10 pm
Well, thank you !!!! :)
stockholder
January 07, 2018 at 02:41 pm
Tinnitus. Complications and Recovery.
Community Guy
January 07, 2018 at 02:19 pm
it seems like the timing of this decision is related to the competition for Gutekunst in Houston. i like the decision in that: 1. it rewards the people within the organization who have put a lot of work in already, 2. it remains a reasonable likelihood that Russ Ball will stay with the Packers, and, 3. while Eliot Wolf may end up leaving the organization; hoeve, given his youth and connections, a more experienced Wolf could still conceivably return to the Packers later.
only question i have is: did the Packers follow the Rooney Rule?
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 02:36 pm
They supposedly interviewed Doug Whaley, yesterday. You'll notice that as soon as they interviewed Whaley, Gutekunst withdrew his name in Houston.
Doug Niemczynski
January 07, 2018 at 02:27 pm
Does anyone think we acted to fast on this decision?
stockholder
January 07, 2018 at 02:31 pm
It was planned. To many rumors with in.
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 02:37 pm
You're missing the sarcasm marks...
~~~
stockholder
January 07, 2018 at 02:44 pm
:)
4thand1
January 07, 2018 at 02:30 pm
Gutenkunst was in charge of East coast scouting dept early on? Does this mean we'll get away from the pac 12? Anyway this sounds great, a football guy who worked his way up, knows what it is to be a scout with boots on the ground. GOPACKGO!
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 04:54 pm
Hmmm....lots of PAC-12 guys vs. lots of ACC guys. What...to...choose...
John Ramble Kirk
January 07, 2018 at 02:32 pm
We owe a debt of gratitude to the Houston Texans. Minus their interest, we would've been left with Russ Ball. I have little doubt the fact the Texans actually pursued external candidates unlike the Packers changed the course of Packers history. Murphy had to freak that his Ball/Gutekunst pairing was about to evaporate. We should send money to Houston Texans charities much like Bills fans to Bengals players for the assistance of altering our history.
False reports that MM would quit if it was Ball? That might be false, semantically, but both Wilde and McGinn reported he might walk if it was Ball. 2 saying it and one saying it's false. We may never know.
I'm relieved it isn't Russ but this feels a lot like most drafts when we take the safe pick over the game changer.
The only external interview was Whaley to satisfy the Rooney Rule.
Bearmeat
January 07, 2018 at 03:06 pm
You don't know any of that for sure.
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 03:12 pm
MOOO!!!
Bearmeat
January 07, 2018 at 03:13 pm
Um, Dobber... why are you "mooing" at me? Are you calling me Cow42?
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 04:55 pm
It was an addition to your comment: I thought the original post was pretty bovine.
Bearmeat
January 07, 2018 at 05:47 pm
lol. got it.
Qoojo
January 07, 2018 at 04:10 pm
Packers were turned down for interview by person or team refused request for every external candidate. So given that, do you risk your #1 choice for weeks or months?
How is this a safe pick? What external GM candidate would be a game changer?
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 04:55 pm
Not EVERY candidate: they had a shot at Doug Whaley...
Qoojo
January 07, 2018 at 07:18 pm
I must have been snoozing that day. I don't remember him.
croatpackfan
January 08, 2018 at 04:46 am
I'm still surprised how many people do not know the process of making important business decisions - and football is a business, isn't it?
John, the way you understand why Packers engaged Brian Gutenkunst is, sorry, completely childish ... Do you really believe that managers are making decisions in fear of the move that somebody else could pull away?
Ah, Bob McGinn - and his insider's information. I bet Mike Murphy was interested in seeing where Russ Ball was and what his vision was for Packers' football operations, but that would be just a normal way of doing business. You will hear all of your 3 leading internal candidates (Alonso Highsmith has gone, so he was no longer a candidate!) ...
Reporters from the NFL community have made it clear that Brian Gutenkunst was the first choice for GM of several other franchises, while the impressions at Eliot Wolf were not so high. I think that was the same impression that Mike Murphy got when he talked with 3 internal candidates.
Why everything needs to be a conspiracy. There is only one orange guy that decides uninformed and ad hoc ...
Coldworld
January 07, 2018 at 02:36 pm
Yes in principle, but I think it looks like BG made a big impression and that Houston was likely to offer him their position. That coupled with the risk of challenging on Schneider and rejection by McKenzie probably justifies closing the matter so quickly.
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 02:38 pm
Gutekunst never actually interviewed in Houston. He withdrew from consideration before the interview ever happened.
Coldworld
January 07, 2018 at 03:17 pm
I know, but the scuttlebutt from Houston was certainly suggestive that they were serious about him.
Coldworld
January 07, 2018 at 03:17 pm
I know, but the scuttlebutt from Houston was certainly suggestive that they were serious about him.
digitaldean
January 07, 2018 at 04:20 pm
According to Houston Chronicle, Coach O'Brien had dinner with Gutekunst last night. According to Demovsky, Murphy made decision to hire BG so Gutekunst didn't meet with them. Like the pick. Ball with no scouting experience wouldn't bode well.
Crackerpacker
January 07, 2018 at 02:36 pm
I have no idea if this is a good move, But i would like to wish BG all the best in his new job.
Packer_Fan
January 07, 2018 at 02:59 pm
So, how does an interview go with someone you work with closely on a regular basis? How does one impress their bosses that they are the right person? And for MM to be his boss. MM made comments about the GM position and how it needed to be more aggressive and deliver better players. So we will see how BG acts in February and March during the free agent madness. And who they keep at the end of training camp. There is a gap in player talent to fill and a gap in coaching talent to fill. So here are my wishes for the new year:
- That some good top free agent picks are made like a shutdown corner and a pass rusher. Then appropriate veteran depth like they did with Evans, Dial and Brooks.
- A good draft with perhaps one or two making a good contribution next year. Take a WR in round 2 or 3 to develop.
- Philbin re-energizing the offense and making it less predictable. Need to find a backup QB. Hundley is not it.
- A new defensive coordinator that will make the players believe in it, easy for the players to excel in and respectable the first year.
Roadrunner23
January 07, 2018 at 03:01 pm
Good hire....makes sense
Gutekunst know the personal and how the Packers like to operate. At least his presser’s should be more interesting and less painful than watching Thompson stumble through them.
JDK52
January 07, 2018 at 03:08 pm
Get it, Gute!
Hmm. Need to work on a catchphrase for the new GM.
I'm so glad to be free of the insane speculation of the past week. The amount of vapid criticsm from fans was too much to bear....
On a related note, can we all agree McGinn needs to shut the hell up and retire fully? He may have been a good journalist once upon a time, but his "reporting" on this whole process has been shameful.
MytQ
January 07, 2018 at 03:38 pm
"He may have been a good journalist once upon a time,"
What? Bob McGinn was once a good journalist! I stopped reading his nonsense ten years ago. I just hope his website is free. There's now way anyone should pay their hard earned money on that. According to Bob, Gutekunst and Ball are job sharing.
Brian
January 07, 2018 at 06:26 pm
His site isn't free. In the Milwaukee market, he and his sidekick Rob Reischel (sp?) are on 107.5 The Fan in the afternoon, I think. Anyway, his radio updates are just sour with nothing positive to say about anyone in Green Bay. The few times I have heard them it was McGinn bitching about Rodgers being put back on IR, the next time was how TT had dementia, and the last time was about Russ Ball. I try to miss his air time now.
Roadrunner23
January 07, 2018 at 03:20 pm
McGinn = Fake News
He’s a Crabby old man
stockholder
January 07, 2018 at 03:57 pm
Wolf - Loser! Ball - Kisser. Brian G. New GM.
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 08:10 pm
You need to work on your haiku skills...
stockholder
January 07, 2018 at 10:03 pm
残った、残った
Coldworld
January 07, 2018 at 03:26 pm
According to Rob D at ESPN, Ball personally made the decisions not to resign Peppers and Hyde last year. I am so happy Ball is not GM
Oppy
January 07, 2018 at 03:56 pm
I have a hard time believing Ball was given that kind of leeway.
As I always understood it, TT would have made the decision on whether or not to make the attempt to extend or resign a player, and once that decision was made, discussed with Ball what type of monetary value would be assigned for that player.. Then it was up to Ball to try his best to strike a deal with the player that absolutely did not exceed that line in the sand.
4thand1
January 07, 2018 at 03:29 pm
What a year, things are looking up. The new DC is going to be huge and what players will be let go. It'll keep the postings going at light speed for a while. I have feeling after FA and the draft, we'll be more excited than ever for the new season to start.
Coldworld
January 07, 2018 at 03:47 pm
Certainly seems set for a more interesting off season than normal. Here’s hoping we are coming off a bye this time next year!
Mojo
January 07, 2018 at 11:45 pm
Yeah 4thand1, it'll be interesting to see what the new GM does with underperforming players. I'm betting he'll be more willing to jettison the dead-weight that permeates this roster.
This team could look quite different in September.
tm_inter
January 07, 2018 at 03:54 pm
I like the choice of Brian Gutekunst as GM. I have a hunch that Mike McCarthy also prefers BG over Russ Ball and Elliot Wolf, and both MM and BG will get along and work together very well.
Things are looking up in Green Bay!
Ryan Graham
January 07, 2018 at 03:58 pm
Excited to see what Gute is gonna do with the personnel he's got to work with this offseason. Maybe gonna be a little more aggressive in filling holes in the roster and weeding out the weak. glad to see he scouted the east coast and south east, get away from the Pac 12 west coast come draft day.
Roadrunner23
January 07, 2018 at 03:59 pm
Gutekunst apparently means "good art" in German.
Hopefully he will paint a beautiful Super Bowl portrait in Title-town
dobber
January 07, 2018 at 05:04 pm
A good old ethnic German name fits right in in Wisconsin...
Oppy
January 07, 2018 at 05:29 pm
I was pulling for a hire by name of Fleugelmeinkreikelschwanztenkoppfirmilchgeschtmittle, but Gutenkunst will do I guess
Mojo
January 07, 2018 at 11:48 pm
Trying to figure out how to work Gluten-free into his moniker, but it's just not working out.
Roadrunner23
January 07, 2018 at 04:01 pm
Gutentag herr Gute :)
abad467
January 07, 2018 at 04:01 pm
GUUUUUUUUTE!!!
Qoojo
January 07, 2018 at 04:02 pm
I guess Bob "Sock Puppet" McGinn was wrong. All that drama this morning for nothing. End of the world averted.
Oppy
January 07, 2018 at 05:27 pm
Starting to wonder if the Packers haven't identified a "leak" that sources for Bob McGinn, and they keep that person around just to feed him/her bad info just to Eff with McGinn.
Qoojo
January 07, 2018 at 07:16 pm
Funny, I was thinking about the same thing, but I thoughtthe source anonymously quoted about MM quitting if Ball gets the job, decided to feed McGinn the incorrect info.
packergal
January 07, 2018 at 04:06 pm
This is just my opinion as a result of corporate exposure. "Knocked it out of Park" potentially means Executive Committee asked BG for his 90 day plan and Top 3 priorities to guarantee talent improvement for Pack back to playoffs and SB; they asked him to provide an overview of infrastructure and cost required to guarantee successful draft in 2018 and beyond; they finally asked for Top 3 priorities to ensure good balance sheet in 2018 and for the following 3 to 5 years. If he's a visionary Executive, he likely nailed these and then some.
Qoojo
January 07, 2018 at 04:12 pm
Priority #1, 2, and 3: Sign Rodgers.
Executive committee: Wow this guy knows his stuff!
:)
stockholder
January 07, 2018 at 04:22 pm
Boilerplate
fthisJack
January 07, 2018 at 08:53 pm
"knocked it out of the park" lol. what else would they say...."we drew straws!"
4thand1
January 07, 2018 at 04:41 pm
Excitement at CHTV, the last 3 threads have 446 responses. GOPACKGO!
Handsback
January 07, 2018 at 05:03 pm
Who's watching any football? So Gute is the guy! He better update his FF miles for all the airlines.
4zone
January 07, 2018 at 05:07 pm
I was wondering if this one wouldn't set a new record.
JohnnyLogan
January 07, 2018 at 04:46 pm
Gute worked just as closely if not more so with TT as Ball. I just hope he has better drafting skills and more of a gambler's nature. With Rodgers we need to take risks in FA and stop priding ourselves on how great we are with the cap. Being cap happy gets you a team with no Pro Bowlers.
FAN24583
January 07, 2018 at 04:49 pm
Finally TT and DC are gone! Glad they didn’t pick RB. BG looks like a good solid choice! I am excited to see what is in store for free agency and the draft. I have not been this excited and optimistic about this team in years! Go pack Go!!
Doug Niemczynski
January 07, 2018 at 05:11 pm
Good luck Mr. Brian Gutekunst we need a good GM. I hope your the guy that can help us turn things back in the right direction for another Super Bowl Title!!
carlos
January 07, 2018 at 05:49 pm
Great news. Now if we can get Ball and Wolf to stay it’d be phenomenal. Like Philbin ( hope I spelled his name right) as OC. Exciting moves. Now let’s get our defense figured out.
RCPackerFan
January 07, 2018 at 06:24 pm
A little late to the party, but I really like the hiring of Gutekunst. I preferred Wolf over Gutekunst but that was a 1A to Gutekunst being 1B. Mostly why I preferred him was from the media talking for a long time now that Wolf could be the successor and is being groomed to take over. So I knew his story more.
But I think Gute will do really well. He has the background and was brought up through the system. He is yet another GM from the Ron Wolf tree. I like everything that I have heard of him and now it’s time to see what he can do! Hopefully he can get us where we want to be!
Since'61
January 07, 2018 at 07:33 pm
Another solid decision by the Packers so far in 2018. My best wishes for every success to Gutekunst. I hope that he brings a fresh approach to building the roster that we have been looking for.
Let's give him a chance, his honeymoon period will end when Free Agency begins.
I'm happy it's over and we're done with the rumors and speculation. Thanks, Since '61
gmeyers1
January 07, 2018 at 08:43 pm
When your pick is close to 30 consistently, it makes sense to use free agency to fill your first round need, at least occasionally. TT didn't do that. You can't use a roster spot for someone who can't contribute on the field. Hundley was a dumb gamble. Let's see how the next roster gets built. It should be interesting.
Tundraboy
January 08, 2018 at 08:57 am
Thought and hoped it might be Wolf, but I'm very pleased that G was named. Years of scouting experience in the organization can not be overlooked. Know nothing about him., hell do not even know what he looks like or sounds like, but hope he brings a new approach, energy and a sense of urgency. Hope he finds someone outside for DC and makes revamping the Defense his first priority. Now let's get to work. Team needs a major attitude and identity adjustment.
dobber
January 08, 2018 at 09:22 am
I hope he doesn't chew gum.
Qoojo
January 08, 2018 at 09:45 am
Chewing gum really gets some people upset around here. I suspect the ones upset are still trying to master walking and chewing gum.
Mojo
January 07, 2018 at 11:35 pm
Like just about everything going down in the Packer post-season.
Like that the new GM is young, well respected and with a ton of scouting experience. Hope Eliot stays for at least awhile and that if Ball stays he can work with BG.
Like we didn't have to give up draft choices to get our new GM. We need all of them, especially the high ones.
Like we're moving on from the old DC. Like someone from outside if for nothing else than new ideas.
Like Philbins return. Seemed like everyone thought he was a pawsitive during his previous stint.
The other coaches released, don't know much as to why, but maybe some new blood will be good overall. As far as MM (the coach) I'm OK with him staying. Think he and 12 understand each other after fighting for control earlier.
Always will be a Packer fan, but my hope in the near future just got a boost.
ScaryGary
January 07, 2018 at 11:48 pm
3 simple word,s sign lawerence/reggie taylor/white
HankScorpio
January 08, 2018 at 05:56 am
Eliot Wolf is only 35. I don't see any particular reason he would need to leave the Packers to advance his career. It's been advancing nicely so far. He could build his resume right where he is for 4-6 years and still be a young GM candidate.
Certainly having the top guy be 44 instead of 65 is a bigger block to the top seat but nothing enhances a resume like success and Rodgers' presence enhances the chances of success in GB. There is a plenty of career risk in a lateral move to Cleveland, for example. Everyone says that Cleveland is primed for success but they have been picking top 10 forever. It seems likely that the scouting infrastructure needs a complete overhaul to turn all that draft capital into production on the field. Which is a process that offers no guarantees.
Pack88
January 08, 2018 at 10:22 am
Some one just tweeted "Thompson's first two picks were ARog and Nick Collins so no pressure here. Don't forget he also picked Terrence Murphy ( Gregg Jennings before Greg Jennings but lost to career ending injury in his first season ) so 3 probable many time pro-bowl players 1-2-3 no pressure at all!