Since taking over as the Green Bay Packers general manager in 2018, Brian Gutekunst has had an eventful tenure following in the footsteps of the legendary Packer Hall of Famer Ted Thompson. He was given an extension last offseason, but his decisions have been met with both praise and criticism. Notably, Gutekunst drafted Jordan Love and made trades involving Davante Adams and long-time franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers. So, how has Gutekunst performed as the Packers’ general manager? Let’s examine the positives and negatives of his tenure.
Positive- Drafted Pretty Well In The First And Second Rounds
Brian Gutekunst has an impressive track record when it comes to drafting in the early rounds of the NFL Draft. His first-round picks have included Jaire Alexander, Rashan Gary, Darnell Savage, Jordan Love, Eric Stokes, Quay Walker, and Devonte Wyatt. While there may be some uncertainty surrounding the performance of a few players, such as Darnell Savage and Eric Stokes, the majority of Gutekunst’s picks have demonstrated great potential and even achieved pro bowl status. In terms of second-round picks, most of them have been reliable and solid, with only Josh Jackson being a potential exception. Overall, Gutekunst’s drafting abilities in the first and second rounds have been impressive.
Negative- Third Round Drafting Has Been Abysmal
The Packers’ track record in drafting third-round players has not been great since Morgan Burnette in 2010, and this trend has continued under Brian Gutekunst’s tenure as general manager. Unfortunately, Gutekunst has yet to select a standout player in the third round, which is a concerning pattern for the Packers.
One notable example of this was the 2019 draft, where the Packers selected Jace Sternberger over Terry McLaurin, who was picked right after. However, there is some optimism this year with the promising prospect Tucker Kraft joining the team, hopefully putting an end to this drought. It remains to be seen if the Packers can turn this trend around in the next few years, but the recent misses in the third round have been undeniably disappointing.
Positive- Brian Gutekunst Has Been Good At Signing Free Agents
Brian Gutekunst has a proven track record of success in signing free agents since he became general manager. He has been bold and assertive in his approach towards free agency. His most notable achievement was during the 2019 free agency when he successfully signed talented players such as Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Adrian Amos, and Billy Turner.
These signings were instrumental in helping the Packers achieve three consecutive seasons of 13 wins. In 2021, he further demonstrated his expertise by securing the services of De’Vondre Campbell and Rasul Douglas, both of whom have made significant contributions to the team. Despite a few misses like Jimmy Graham, Jaylon Smith, and Sammy Watkins, Brian Gutekunst’s overall performance in free agency has been commendable.
Negative- Brian Gutekunst Failed In Making The Big Trades To Improve The Team
Brian Gutekunst, the current general manager, has been involved in some significant trade talks. In 2018, he was close to securing all-pro pass rusher, Khali Mack, and in 2020, he almost landed Will Fuller, but the deal fell through. Last year, he pursued DJ Moore from the Carolina Panthers and Chase Claypool from the Pittsburgh Steelers, but unfortunately, both deals did not materialize, and both players now play for the Chicago Bears.
While some may point the finger at Gutekunst, it’s not entirely fair to blame him for these missed opportunities. He cannot control the decisions of other teams, and he has offered fair to very good deals in these trade scenarios. It’s just unfortunate that the trades did not come to fruition, as they could have been a significant benefit to the Packers.
Positive- Hired Matt LaFleur As Head Coach
Towards the end of the 2018 season, Brian Gutekunst decided to relieve Mike McCarthy of his duties as a change was necessary. Moreover, McCarthy was not Gutekunst’s preferred choice as he was appointed by Ted Thompson, who was no longer serving as the general manager. In the 2019 offseason, Matt LaFleur was hired as the new head coach for the Packers, which brought a breath of fresh air to the team.
Regardless of whether it was due to Aaron Rodgers or not, Matt LaFleur’s tenure as head coach has resulted in an exceptional 47-19 record for the Packers. With Rodgers no longer with the team this year, LaFleur’s coaching abilities will be put to the test. Nonetheless, Brian Gutekunst made a wise decision in hiring LaFleur.
Negative- Brian Gutekunst And The Green Bay Packers Lowballing Davante Adams
During his time as general manager, Brian Gutekunst made a major error when he attempted to underpay Davante Adams, the former Packers wide receiver. This miscalculation caused Adams to no longer want to be a Packer. Although Adams’ age may have been a factor, he was the top wide receiver in the NFL at the time and still holds that title today.
Had the Packers offered him a fair deal, Adams may very well have remained with the team. Unfortunately, both parties suffered in the aftermath: the Packers lost a once-in-a-generation talent at wide receiver, and Adams now plays for a subpar team, the Las Vegas Raiders. In hindsight, the Packers and Gutekunst regret not handling the situation better.
Positive- Has Been Exceptional When It Comes To Finding Offensive Line Talent
Brian Gutekunst has a proven track record of finding talented offensive linemen, which is a credit to his expertise in the field. Before becoming the Packers’ general manager, Gutekunst served as a scout and discovered promising players such as Chad Clifton, Scott Wells, Daryn Colledge, Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang, Bryan Bulaga, J.C. Tretter, Corey Linsley, and David Bakhtiari.
As general manager, he continued to excel in this area, selecting Elgton Jenkins, Jon Ruyan Jr., Josh Myers, and Zach Tom in the previous drafts, all of whom are current starters and have been solid contributors to the Packers’ offensive line. Additionally, Gutekunst has prioritized building depth behind the starting line, resulting in a top-ten ranking for the Packers’ offensive line during his tenure. Despite injuries last year, the line ranked seventh overall and third in pass blocking. With the current great state on the offensive line, the Packers are poised to have one of the best lines in the upcoming season all due to Brian Gutekunst.
Negative- Failed In Trading Aaron Rodgers Knowing It Needed To Happen Sooner.
It has been reported that Aaron Rodgers has been harboring dissatisfaction with the Packers for some time now, leading to a lot of friction between the two parties. This ultimately culminated in his trade to the New York Jets this offseason.
While it may have been better for the Packers to have traded Rodgers earlier, particularly after his back-to-back MVP seasons, they still received a good return for him this year. Additionally, if the trade had happened earlier, the Packers would have likely received even more assets, such as multiple first-round picks. However, it’s important to note that the trade ultimately worked out for both parties involved.
Jordan Love Will Determine His Legacy As Green Bay Packers General Manager
The success of Brian Gutekunst’s tenure as general manager rests on the performance of Jordan Love. While Aaron Rodgers secured the legacy of former general manager Ted Thompson, it remains to be seen if Love can do the same for Gutekunst. Gutekunst’s decision to trade up for Love in the 2020 draft was a huge gamble, and the young quarterback’s success is crucial to Gutekunst’s job security.
Gutekunst has done well to provide Love with a strong supporting cast on offense, but if Love doesn’t pan out, Gutekunst’s tenure as general manager will be regarded as a disappointment. Ultimately, the legacy of Gutekunst’s time as general manager hinges on the success of Jordan Love.
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