INDIANAPOLIS – Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst conducted a 40-minute sit-down with writers Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis amongst other media obligations.
Here are 10 things learned from him, as well as others who took to the podium.
Having spent his 2026 first-round pick (and 2027’s) to acquire Micah Parsons last summer, Gutekunst emphasized the Packers won’t be ignoring first-round prospects.
They may not interview as many and could use more of their allotted formal interviews on others, but they’re still doing the homework because there’s no telling what opportunities may present themselves down the line – like trading for a top player like Parsons, who was a first-round pick in 2021.
“It’s important that we don’t skip any of those steps,” Gutekunst said. “Getting to know these players inside and out, whether it be for this draft or going into free agency and their professional career is really, really important for us. So the groundwork that our scouts do on these players in college really does carry over quite a bit into our pro scouting staff and how we look at these players.”
Despite Parsons’ December knee injury, Gutekunst has “no regrets” about making the trade and expects him to come back “better than ever” next season, whenever he’s ready.
Parsons has actively posted rehab updates on social media. Gutekunst joked that Parsons already calls him the “No man” in terms of how much to push, and perhaps in anticipation of when he’ll want to be back on the field versus when he’ll actually be allowed to return.
“He communicates pretty well and everything’s going really well,” Gutekunst said. “I’m sure not only with him but a couple others, there’s going to be a lot of pressing to get out there and play.
“Obviously we made a very big investment in him and protecting that investment I think is really important.”
Green Bay’s special teams coordinator the past four seasons, Bisaccia stepped down last week and the front office didn’t see it coming.
“I wouldn’t say we were expecting it at all,” Gutekunst said. “It caught us by surprise, but I think there’s some other opportunities he wanted to look at. Very appreciative for his run with us.”
His departure has left the Packers looking for a new coordinator after the bulk of the hiring cycle has run its course. Gutekunst is looking at the bright side there, as now Head Coach Matt LaFleur doesn’t need to rush any decision.
“Kind of glass half full,” Gutekunst said. “This actually allows us to take our time. When you get into that coaching cycle, sometimes you’ve got to move fast without knowing everything you want to know about the candidates. Right now, we don’t have a lot of competition so Matt’s taking his time, being really thorough.”
It was announced Tuesday morning the Detroit Lions would be one of the teams playing in Munich next season, but the Packers haven’t heard anything about going abroad.
“I don’t (know) and I have nothing to base it on,” Gutekunst said. “In my mind I’m expecting to just because I think it’d be a lot easier to expect to and then not have to, but I have not heard anything about that.”
The Packers have a list of pending free agents as well as players whose contracts will need to be looked at cap-wise as the new league year approaches in a couple of weeks.
Notable changes are coming.
“I don’t think it’s one of those overhaul-type situations where we feel we’ve got to overhaul the roster,” Gutekunst said. “But there’s some significant issues that we’ve got to make sure that we fix before we get into next season.”
He didn’t get into which players might be released, retained, allowed to leave in free agency, or have their deals reworked, but discussions with agents take place, and in some cases continue, behind the scenes at the combine as the groundwork is laid for various decisions.
“This week obviously is a big week to gain information,” he said. “As soon as we get back, it’s a pretty quick turnaround before free agency starts, so you’d like to have as many of those conversations as you can and know where you sit with your players, along with what the market’s going to be.”
