GREEN BAY, Wis. — General manager Brian Gutekunst of the Green Bay Packers expressed confidence following a season where the team demonstrated improvement, yet he acknowledged that being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs does not meet the franchise’s high standards.
Gutekunst emphasized that the organization must maintain a heightened sense of urgency, particularly after experiencing losses to the NFC’s top teams—Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, and Minnesota Vikings—including a disheartening 22-10 defeat to the Eagles in the NFC Wild Card round. This loss marked the end of the season, similar to their earlier matchup against the Eagles, which they lost 34-29 in their opening game held in São Paulo, Brazil. The Packers managed to secure the final playoff spot in the NFC but completed the regular season having lost all six encounters with the division’s elite.
Matt LaFleur, in his sixth season as head coach, guided the Packers to an overall record of 67-33, including three playoff appearances and two NFC Championship Game berths in 2019 and 2020. Nonetheless, the team’s last Super Bowl appearance dates back to the 2010 season, when they took home the championship under coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
“I think everybody’s gutted,” LaFleur remarked after their season concluded. “Playing your best and still falling short invokes a distinct feeling.”
As the offseason approaches, the Packers face critical decisions, with 11 players set to become unrestricted free agents, including three starters—center Josh Myers, linebacker Isaiah McDuffie, and defensive tackle T.J. Slaton. Additionally, the status of cornerback Jaire Alexander remains uncertain; he has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, missing ten games each year and facing a suspension in 2023. Alexander opted not to comment during the locker clean-out day, indicating he had “nothing good to say.”
When questioned about a potential disconnect between the organization and Alexander, Gutekunst clarified that while there is mutual frustration due to Alexander’s inability to play, he does not perceive any real disconnect. “I feel for him, because he wants to be out there and he wants to play,” he stated.
If the Packers decide to part ways with Alexander, they would save around $6 million in salary cap space, providing them approximately $57 million in projected cap room for the offseason. This financial flexibility could allow for additional free-agent acquisitions following past signings like All-Pro safety Xavier McKinney and Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs.
Considering the team’s youth, which was the youngest in the NFL for two consecutive years, Gutekunst believes they are well-prepared for the upcoming season. “The decisions we’ve made over the past few years have put us in a situation where we’re in pretty good shape,” he remarked, expressing optimism about their prospects for assembling a championship-caliber team.
Gutekunst also noted interest in retaining veteran kicker Brandon McManus, who joined the team midway through the previous season. He addressed the recovery of wide receiver Christian Watson, who suffered an ACL tear in the regular-season finale against Chicago, indicating Watson has not yet undergone surgery. Additionally, he expressed satisfaction with the defense’s performance under new coordinator Jeff Hafley, who led the unit to impressive rankings in total defense, scoring defense, and turnovers. “I thought we were playing our best football on defense at the end of the year. I’m really excited about where the defense is right now,” Gutekunst concluded.
