GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - A year ago, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst declared that the team would “ramp up” their urgency. Twelve months later, the results tell a sobering story: just nine regular season wins and a devastating five-game losing streak to close out the season.
Yet despite the bitter finish, Gutekunst’s approach this offseason suggests the organization isn’t backing away from its championship aspirations—if anything, they’re doubling down.
**All-In on 2026**
“The most important thing, I think, is the 2026 season and how we’re going to chase a championship,” Gutekunst said. “That’s the most important thing. That will never change.”
The GM acknowledged the delicate balance between short-term success and long-term competitiveness, noting the need to avoid piling up too much debt on the salary cap “credit card.” But his message was clear: the focus is squarely on fielding the best possible team for the upcoming season.
**Coaching Staff Continuity**
The Packers have largely maintained stability on the coaching staff, with only two significant changes. Cam Achord was hired as special teams coordinator earlier this week, replacing Rich Bisaccia. On defense, Jonathan Gannon steps in for Jeff Hafley as defensive coordinator.
The special teams hire comes despite years of struggles on what some have dubbed “we-fense” in Green Bay. Still, Gutekunst emphasized the unit’s importance in today’s NFL.
“It’s incredibly important, you know, not only from a field position as part of the game, but all these games are coming down to a kick or a couple points,” he said. “So, everything matters. The details matter. And that’s a big part of winning a football game.”
Beyond those moves, the Packers’ brain trust remains intact—a deliberate decision aimed at building through consistency.
“(Head coach) Matt LaFleur, (executive vice president) Russ (Ball), and I have been working on the football thing for a long time. Now, (president) Ed (Policy)’s kind of part of that as well since Mark (Murphy) retired,” Gutekunst explained. “The thing that I enjoy most about the process is just, you know, no one’s... We’re not hiding from anything. We’re very, very realistic about where we are and what our team looks like and what we need to do.”
**The Rashan Gary Question**
One of Gutekunst’s defining traits as GM has been his willingness to part ways with players a year early rather than a year too late—a philosophy built on honest self-evaluation rather than sentimentality.
That approach could be tested with edge rusher Rashan Gary, who recorded 7.5 sacks in the first seven games before going dry the rest of the season. Releasing Gary could save the Packers approximately $20 million in cap space.
But Gutekunst pushed back on the notion that Gary’s production fell off a cliff.
“Sometimes with pass rushers, there’s an ebb and flow to that as far as production goes. It was with sacks. But he was impactful towards the second half of the season,” he said. “Rashan’s got all the talent in the world. And he’s produced at a high level for us since he’s been here. And we would expect that next year as well.”
**Limited External Options**
Don’t expect the Packers to be major players in free agency, and without a first-round draft pick, a superstar rookie addition seems unlikely. Instead, Green Bay’s 2026 fortunes will rest largely on the shoulders of the current roster.
“Our 2026 will be defined mostly by that, right? The guys that are already here and what they do to get better and better our football team,” Gutekunst said. “I’m excited about that because I really do like the group of guys we have in that locker room.”
The GM pointed to the team’s growing experience and maturity, noting that several key players are entering the prime years of their careers. The Packers are a seasoned team now—the question is whether that experience will translate into execution when it matters most.
“Right now what we have to do is we have to be able to get in those moments that we’ve struggled with the last two years and finish them off,” Gutekunst said. “And I’m excited about that.”
**Key Dates Ahead**
With the NFL Combine wrapping up, the next major milestone is March 9, when the legal tampering period begins and teams can officially negotiate with free agents. Two days later, on March 11, signings become official.
How active the Packers will be during that window remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Brian Gutekunst is pushing more chips to the center of the table, betting that his current core has what it takes to break through in 2026.
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