Brian Gutekunst, Green Bay Packers
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 25: General manager Brian Gutekunst of the Green Bay Packers speaks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst was in attendance at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on February 24, discussing the team’s plans for 2026.
After finishing the season on a five-game losing streak — capped by a Wild Card loss to the bitter rival Chicago Bears — Gutekunst and the Packers are eager to reset heading into 2026.
Gutekunst, along with head coach Matt LaFleur and vice president/director of football operations Russ Ball, all received extensions following the season finale.
All three will play a role in shaping what the roster looks like this fall, but Gutekunst didn’t hold back when asked about running back Josh Jacobs.
Brian Gutekunst Makes Clear Statement on Josh Jacobs
Gutekunst delivered a firm answer regarding Jacobs’ role with the Packers in 2026.
“Absolutely,” Gutekunst said, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. “He’s a very important cog in what we’re trying to do here.”
Jacobs had been floated as a potential cap casualty for Green Bay, with two years remaining on his deal. The 28-year-old is entering his eighth NFL season and his third with the Packers after leaving the Raiders.
Jacobs is set to earn a base salary of $10.2 million in 2026 with a cap hit of $14.5 million, according to Spotrac. A post-June 1 release would save the team $11.4 million while carrying $6.25 million in dead cap over the next two seasons.
Jacobs led the team in rushing last season with 929 yards and scored 14 total touchdowns while losing three fumbles. He missed two games due to injury, appearing in 15 regular-season contests plus Green Bay’s lone playoff game, where he ran for 55 yards on 19 carries.
That said, The Leap’s Peter Bukowski pointed out that the Packers still lack explosive run plays with Jacobs in the backfield.
“Packers were 9th in rushing success rate, but 21st in EPA/rush last year. That’s down from 9th in EPA/rush in 2024. Packers have been very good with Josh Jacobs getting 4-6 yards. They need more explosive runs,” Bukowski said.
There was also the emergence of Emanuel Wilson, who filled in effectively when Jacobs was sidelined. Wilson rushed for 496 yards and three touchdowns on 125 carries.
Brian Gutekunst Says Packers Continue to Emphasize Draft-and-Develop Model
Guntekunst made it clear that Green Bay builds their roster through the draft.
“We’re always going to be a little bit of a draft-and-develop team. That’s always going to be our bread and butter,” Gutekunst said, per AtoZ Sports’ Travis May. “I think the system is set up that way with the salary cap. That’s the most advantageous way to build a football team.”
Gutekunst added that retention remains a key part of the organization’s philosophy, even if it can be difficult.
“As far as the retention thing… again, I think the salary cap thing kind of limits you,” Gutekunst said. “I’ve talked a lot about, I think league wide about how teams sign about one and a half from each draft class… that’s usually the guys they retain.”
While Jacobs wasn’t originally drafted by Green Bay, he clearly fits into the type of veteran presence Gutekunst is looking for. The veteran running back now appears positioned to remain a central piece of a still-young roster moving forward.