Brian Gutekunst sets the tone for the Green Bay Packers' offseason
The Green Bay Packers general manager has made it clear that he wants to put the 'title' back in Titletown.
It was in the final question of Brian Gutekunst’s final press conference of the 2024 season where he gave the money quote. Standing before the dedicated beat reporters in Green Bay, the Packers general manager closed out his seventh season with a simple message for what he’s looking for this offseason.
“For me, the thing that’s been on my mind since we concluded this season is we need to ramp up our sense of urgency,” Gutekunst replied at the end of his 35-minute media availability last Thursday afternoon. “The life of a player in the NFL is not very long. We got a bunch of good guys in that locker room. We got a bunch of talented guys in that locker room and I think it’s time we start competing for championships. I think they’re ready. They’re wired right. I think this group is the kind of guys that can do that. But at the end of the day, you gotta go do it.”
Believe me, Brian, you’re saying what all Packers fans are certainly feeling after having watched their 22-10 Wild Card loss in Philadelphia over a week ago.
The Packers had improved, whether it was in their talent, their defensive solidity, etc. The thinking has been with those improvements, that means winning a playoff game or contending further in the NFC. Further than they had the season before. Not taking a step backward and getting bounced out of Wild Card weekend with more penalties (8) and turnovers (4) combined than points scored (10).
By now, Gutekunst deserves the benefit of the doubt by not only going all-in over the course of Aaron Rodgers’ final years in Green Bay, but for how he remade the team after he traded Rodgers. It wasn’t with the snap of a finger and the Packers took a couple of lumps along the way; whether it was from fans, their former quarterback or by those from the outside who have been critical in how the Packers do things their own way.
As the cycle ramps up and the offseason comes into view, Gutekunst’s comments about the Packers’ need to ramp up their sense of urgency and prioritizing the way they do things around 1265 Lombardi Avenue will be a big talking point in the months ahead.