The key to a successful NFL franchise is the general manager. They are the ones that construct the roster and are responsible for putting the best product on the field. They are also in charge of cap space and hiring the right coach to lead the team. Brian Gutekunst has been general manager of the Packers for three years and going into his fourth this year. He receives a lot of criticism, especially with the Jordan Love pick in the 2020 NFL. Yet, Brian Gutekunst is currently one of the best general managers in the NFL.
His 2019 Free Agency Made a Huge Impact For the Packers
Brain Gutekunst’s signings in the 2019 free agency alone make him a top-notch general manager. He signed Zadarius Smith, who is arguably the best edge rusher in the NFL. He has had back-to-back double-digit sack seasons. Also, he signed Preston Smith, who has been a real effective player for the Packers. In addition, he was able to get Adrian Amos, and he has had two great seasons for the Packers and is one of the best strong safeties in the NFL. He had also signed Billy Turner, who has shown his versatility playing numerous positions along the Packer’s offensive line. All of these players have indeed become staples for the Packers franchise. All four are in their third year with the team. This clearly alone Gutekunst showed how good of a general manager he is.
Brian Gutekunst Made the Tough Decisions That Made the Team Better
Brian Gutekunst saw firsthand the Packers missing the playoffs for two years in a row and saw changes definitely had to be made. The main problem was everything was becoming stale with the Packers roster from 2017-2018 with the players and coaches. Gutekunst’s first big tough decision was cutting Jordy Nelson, and yes was not handled the right way, but Jordy did indeed lose a step, and it was time to move on. He also fired Super Bowl-winning head coach Mike McCarthy mid-season when the Packers playoff hopes were out of reach. Also, not resigning Clay Mattews, Randall Cobb, and cutting Mike Daniels, all of who were pro bowl players for the Packers. These were certainly tough and unpopular decisions but helped the team in the long run.
Productive Players From Each of His Drafts
No general manager always has the perfect draft, but the goal is to get players to build around and hopefully be cornerstones. Brian Gutekunst accomplished that goal as he has gotten good players from each draft. In 2018 he got Jaire Alexander, who is becoming a lockdown corner, and drafted Marques Valdes Scantling, who led the NFL in yards per catch in 2020. In 2019, the Packers got Darnell Savage, Rashan Gary, Elgton Jenkins, and Kingsley Keke. His 2020 draft was questionable but found promising players in Josiah Deguara, AJ Dillion, Kamal Martin, Jon Runyan, and maybe Jordan Love. What will determine his legacy as a general manager will be how the Jordan Love pick turns out.
Hiring Matt Lafleur and Transforming the Packers of Not Depending on Aaron Rodgers
What makes Brian Gutekunst a great general manager is how he is building the Packers. The biggest one was hiring Matt Lafleur, who is becoming one of the best coaches in the NFL. Also, built the Packers to not rely on Aaron Rodgers as they have in the past. Late in Mike McCarthy’s tenure as head coach relied too much on Rodgers, and Gutekunst wanted to change that. He and Matt Lafleur are creating a team that takes a lot of pressure off Aaron Rodgers. Was shown in 2020 where Aaron Rodgers had the most balanced offense in his career, and He is building off of it. He has done a great job making the offense into his image and help take the pressure off Aaron Rodgers.
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