Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst answered a variety of questions about the upcoming offseason during a 30-minute meeting with reporters at Lambeau Field on Friday.
Here are the top takeaways from Gutekunst’s season-ending press conference:
1. Packers want to get a deal done with Kenny Clark soon: Gutekunst confirmed getting a new deal done for Clark is one of the Packers’ top priorities this offseason. Clark, a first-time Pro Bowler in 2019, will enter the final year of his rookie deal in 2020. The Packers want him locked up long-term. It’ll be a slow process, but there’s confidence a deal will get done. “I’m optimistic we’ll be able to come to an agreement at some point,” Gutekunst said. Clark doesn’t anticipate needing to hold out to get a new deal.
2. Expect WR and ILB to be target areas: Receiver and inside linebacker sound like two positions the Packers will work hard to improve this offseason. Gutekunst plainly said he wants to add help at receiver, and linebacker is another position he wants to “take a long look at,” especially with Blake Martinez about to be a free agent. The Packers explored ways of adding an “explosive offense player” at the trade deadline but couldn’t find the right value. Gutekunst also talked about the difficulties of playing inside linebacker in today’s NFL, and he had no doubts about the need for speed at the position.
3. Packers want the vets back: Gutekunst made it clear he still believes Bryan Bulaga, Mason Crosby and Tramon Williams can play at a high level. He specifically mentioned Bulaga and Crosby as players the Packers want to bring back. Financials always play a big part in these decisions, but if the money is right, expect the Packers to interested in bringing back all three before or during free agency. Bulaga and Crosby are likely high-priority players for Gutekunst.
4. Packers are really excited about the second year in the offense: Matt LaFleur, Aaron Rodgers and now Gutekunst have all expressed excitement about what the offense could do in 2020. Gutekunst specifically mentioned conversations with LaFleur about the massive jump from Matt Ryan in his second year in this same offense back in 2016. The Packers are clearly anticipating a big jump from Rodgers and the offense next season. Gutekunst said Rodgers is still playing at an “elite level” individually. Another year getting comfortable in the system and a few additions in the passing game could take the group to another level in 2020. “I’m really excited to see what he can do in Year 2,” Gutekunst said.
5. Quarterback is possible: Despite Gutekunst’s confidence level in Rodgers, he wouldn’t ruling out drafting a quarterback if the Packers felt the player was a starting-quality passer at the next level. It’s a philosophy learned from working under Ron Wolf and Ted Thompson, two general managers who often drafted quarterbacks despite having a franchise passer. However, Gutekunst didn’t make it sound like finding a potential successor for Rodgers was much of a priority this offseason.