Packers GM Brian Gutekunst

[milani]

I wouldn't look to the Bears for how to address my QB situation.

Not sure why they thought that they had to have both Foles and Dalton to back up a rookie QB, with a team that really isn't that good to begin with. The amount of money that the Bears spent on QB's, for what they got back, was crazy.

As far as the Packers, they don't need a high paid veteran backup behind Rodgers, but I have always like the idea of a very experienced backup QB on a good team. A bad team, why spend the money, have 3 developmental guys.

Now Gute may have looked at this different than Thompson. Gute realized that Rodgers suffered a broken clavicle in both 2013 and 2017. Although he was not there he must have wondered how likely is Rodgers to take another hit and go down for a season or more. Would we have the line to protect him. 2017 and 2018 did not end well. I think Gute realized that there is really only one Brett Favre who never missed a start until his final season in Minnesota. Was the QB class in the 2021 draft much better? Will it be even better next year?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

All true… although i’d have to see a whole lot more from him before I’d even consider a 5th year option… ie I‘d want him starting before i’d pay that to a backup QB.

oh most definitely on the 5th year option, that would not be cheap to invoke it on a QB, think it was around $23M for 2022 QB's. If Rodgers plays for the Packers another 2 years and Love gets little or no playing time, the Packers might be able to retain him on a cheap contract, until such time that he proves himself. I just don't see a big second contract for a QB that hasn't proven a thing.

Love may end up being just a backup to Rodgers while in Green Bay, if that is all he is and he becomes a reliable one, I would be just fine with that and wouldn't consider it a busted pick.

 

[swhitset]

oh most definitely on the 5th year option, that would not be cheap to invoke it on a QB, think it was around $23M for 2022 QB's. If Rodgers plays for the Packers another 2 years and Love gets little or no playing time, the Packers might be able to retain him on a cheap contract, until such time that he proves himself. I just don't see a big second contract for a QB that hasn't proven a thing.

Love may end up being just a backup to Rodgers while in Green Bay, if that is all he is and he becomes a reliable one, I would be just fine with that and wouldn't consider it a busted pick.

If he hadn’t been selected by trading up for him in the first round… I could agree with that …. but the facts as they are… I can’t.

 

[gopkrs]

That pre supposes that he ever even gets that chance. Personally, I hope he doesn’t. I’d like to see a Rodgers extended… and that would make it unlikely that Love is ever a starter in Green Bay.

Depending on what someone else is willing to pay him; I don't see why he can't just stick around as the backup. And get his chance later. And no, I do not consider the KC game his chance.

 

[swhitset]

Depending on what someone else is willing to pay him; I don't see why he can't just stick around as the backup. And get his chance later. And no, I do not consider the KC game his chance.

I agree with that… I may not have agreed with the pick… but now that we have him… we might as well get as much value as we can.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

If he hadn’t been selected by trading up for him in the first round… I could agree with that …. but the facts as they are… I can’t.

So had the Packers just used the 30th pick on Love, you would have been fine, its that 4th rounder that bugs you?

 

[tynimiller]

So had the Packers just used the 30th pick on Love, you would have been fine, its that 4th rounder that bugs you?

I know a TON of Green Bay fans that claim this would have made it better....sure....but if your opinion of the Love pick hinges on trading up, I think it is a fairly shallow take

 

[swhitset]

So had the Packers just used the 30th pick on Love, you would have been fine, its that 4th rounder that bugs you?

lol…. no it just bugs me more…

I probably wouldn’t have even cared at round 3 or later… a second rounder.. i’d have been skeptical… round 1… I was not pleased lol.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

lol…. no it just bugs me more…

I probably wouldn’t have even cared at round 3 or later… a second rounder.. i’d have been skeptical… round 1… I was not pleased lol.

I was going to say, the Packers 4th rounder (#136) that they traded ended up in the Rams hands. They used it on TE Brycen Hopkins....he has 1 career reception for 9 yards.

I realize that won't make you feel any better.

EDIT....OK....I will make you feel even better....Maybe the Packers keep that 30th pick and OT Isaiah Wilson drops into their lap. At the end of his first season, the Titans traded Wilson and a 2022 7th round pick, for a 2021 7th round pick. lol The Dolphins ended up releasing him after he showed up late for his physical and missed 2 practices, the Giants have him on their PS.

Now THAT is a busted first round pick!

Isaiah Wilson - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Schultz]

Was Gute afraid Love would have been gone by a lower round?

No. He just likes giving away extra draft picks in trades.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I think the situation in Chicago is a good one to observe. They had Trubisky and they won the division a few years ago with him. They send him packing and go with Foles last year until he is hurt. Then they pick up a veteran in Dalton but draft Fields. And Fields is their starter for most of the season as a rookie coming out of a great program in Ohio State. And after all that they are back with Foles who wins the game Sunday for them. I like the idea of a veteran as well. The problem is that neither Ted Thompson nor Gute had any luck locating one unless you call Seneca Wallace a name veteran. So what choice do you have? Get a later round QB like Hundley or Tolzien? So that is how and why you get a Love. Although I thought he would still be on the board come the second round.

I'm absolutely stunned that any Packers fan would use the way the Bears handled their quarterback situation over the past few years as an example to justify selecting Love in the first round of last year's draft.

Was Gute afraid Love would have been gone by a lower round?

Love would probably not have been on the board for the Packers in the second round. Gutekunst should have taken that risk though.

Almost 2 years after Love was drafted, one can say that it probably was a massive miscalculation by Gute in regards to Aaron Rodgers talent level. At the time of the pick, not so much IMO.

There were a lot of fans who mentioned selecting Love was a terrible move from the get-go.

Now Gute may have looked at this different than Thompson. Gute realized that Rodgers suffered a broken clavicle in both 2013 and 2017. Although he was not there he must have wondered how likely is Rodgers to take another hit and go down for a season or more.

I'm not sure what you mean about Gutekunst not being there when Rodgers was injured, he has been with the Packers since 1998.

Love may end up being just a backup to Rodgers while in Green Bay, if that is all he is and he becomes a reliable one, I would be just fine with that and wouldn't consider it a busted pick.

There should be absolutely no doubt Love should be considered a busted pick if he never ends up starting for the Packers.

EDIT....OK....I will make you feel even better....Maybe the Packers keep that 30th pick and OT Isaiah Wilson drops into their lap. At the end of his first season, the Titans traded Wilson and a 2022 7th round pick, for a 2021 7th round pick. lol The Dolphins ended up releasing him after he showed up late for his physical and missed 2 practices, the Giants have him on their PS.

Now THAT is a busted first round pick!

Isaiah Wilson - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

It's true that selecting Wilson would have been significantly worse than picking Love. The Packers could have ended up with Higgins, Pittman or Claypool for example as well though.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

If what this article says is true, Rodgers isn't thinking about not playing for the Packers anymore, but he hasn't ruled out the possibility of retirement.

Aaron Rodgers makes interesting comments about his NFL future

Aaron Rodgers has once again played some of the best football of his career this season, and he looks like he could play as long as Tom Brady if he wanted

larrybrownsports.com

 

[tynimiller]

From article:

What was more interesting is that Rodgers voluntarily brought up that he is not “thinking about (playing) elsewhere.” He indicated that the relationship between him and Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has improved.

“The things that I’ve said about the team this year and about Brian’s and I’s relationship have been heartfelt and genuine. I do appreciate a lot of the things that I’ve seen from the team that are directly related to conversations we had in the offseason,” Rodgers said. “That was meaningful to me. I’ve enjoyed being a part of conversations that directly affect my job, which I talked about in the offseason. Brian’s taken the lead in that, and I do appreciate the way our relationship has grown.”

No where did I read he no longer is considering leaving the Packers...he merely states a lot of growth and the relationship is better and improved.

Did I miss something?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

No where did I read he no longer is considering leaving the Packers...he merely states a lot of growth and the relationship is better and improved.

Again, I said if you can believe the article, he isn't leaving. You quoted what they said/implied from his presser:

What was more interesting is that Rodgers voluntarily brought up that he is not “thinking about (playing) elsewhere.” He indicated that the relationship between him and Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has improved.

 

[tynimiller]

Again, I said if you can believe the article, he isn't leaving. You quoted what they said/implied from his presser:

Gotcha and missed the "poker clause" LOL

It has been quite obvious a lot of reconciliation has been felt by him and done in house. A guy doesn't look that happy unless there has been. Still not a fan of a full grown man using pre-schooler tactics to get his way with a fit, but hey whatever...I'll take the most skilled QB for a few more years I guess.

 

[milani]

I'm absolutely stunned that any Packers fan would use the way the Bears handled their quarterback situation over the past few years as an example to justify selecting Love in the first round of last year's draft.



Love would probably not have been on the board for the Packers in the second round. Gutekunst should have taken that risk though.



There were a lot of fans who mentioned selecting Love was a terrible move from the get-go.



I'm not sure what you mean about Gutekunst not being there when Rodgers was injured, he has been with the Packers since 1998.



There should be absolutely no doubt Love should be considered a busted pick if he never ends up starting for the Packers.



It's true that selecting Wilson would have been significantly worse than picking Love. The Packers could have ended up with Higgins, Pittman or Claypool for example as well though.

Although Gute was in the organization he was in no way involved in the Packer draft process back then nor was he the one who made any decisions. I pointed out the difference in perspectives between Thompson and him. Gute was certainly aware of both Rodgers injuries as was the entire football world. The Bears are just a comparative example of what another NFL team did. Whether Love turns out to be a busted pick or not will be hindsight. Teams have to take chances. I pointed out on this board that Lombardi made his 1st round pick Don Horn in 1967. And this happened right after Bart Starr was named the league MVP, won another championship, and led the league in passing that season. AND he was only 33 at the time. Horn had only 2 highlight games in his short Packer career. And the only reason he got on the field was due to injuries or the season result being inconsequential. Lombardi was the Packer head coach and GM at the time. NO ONE railed him for such a decision. He had an aging team. He could have drafted a player at many other positions in the first round. But he did not. He went with a QB. Starr only lasted through 1970 when his arm was shot. Horn could have been the heir apparent. It is just that he was not. So crucify Vince.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Although Gute was in the organization he was in no way involved in the Packer draft process back then nor was he the one who made any decisions. I pointed out the difference in perspectives between Thompson and him. Gute was certainly aware of both Rodgers injuries as was the entire football world. The Bears are just a comparative example of what another NFL team did. Whether Love turns out to be a busted pick or not will be hindsight. Teams have to take chances. I pointed out on this board that Lombardi made his 1st round pick Don Horn in 1967. And this happened right after Bart Starr was named the league MVP, won another championship, and led the league in passing that season. AND he was only 33 at the time. Horn had only 2 highlight games in his short Packer career. And the only reason he got on the field was due to injuries or the season result being inconsequential. Lombardi was the Packer head coach and GM at the time. NO ONE railed him for such a decision. He had an aging team. He could have drafted a player at many other positions in the first round. But he did not. He went with a QB. Starr only lasted through 1970 when his arm was shot. Horn could have been the heir apparent. It is just that he was not. So crucify Vince.

But it isn't EXACTLY the same.

I gave up on the topic, since there is no exact science or statistics to back the claims being made by either side of the discussion.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Gotcha and missed the "poker clause" LOL

It has been quite obvious a lot of reconciliation has been felt by him and done in house. A guy doesn't look that happy unless there has been. Still not a fan of a full grown man using pre-schooler tactics to get his way with a fit, but hey whatever...I'll take the most skilled QB for a few more years I guess.

Well, one has to be careful with articles, since it often is the author of the articles opinion, based on what he/she has heard. That said, I agree with his conclusion, as well as your statements, Rodgers does seem happier and maybe he recognized some of his fault in the process along the way as well. Success also has a way of mending some fences too.

 

[tynimiller]

But it isn't EXACTLY the same.

I gave up on the topic, since there is no exact science or statistics to back the claims being made by either side of the discussion.

That and some in this discussion hold a borg like mentality...makes discussions impossible.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Davante Adams also spoke a bit about his future, without really indicating where he will be next year.

First time this season Aaron Rodgers addresses his future with Packers or elsewhere

GREEEN BAY (WLUK) - For the first time this season Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers & wide receiver Davante Adams went in depth on Green Bay futures. "There will be a lot of things I will weigh in the offseason. Saying that or any of the comments I've made doesn't mean I am thinking about...

fox11online.com

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

some in this discussion hold a borg like mentality

LOL.... very true.

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

 

[milani]

But it isn't EXACTLY the same.

I gave up on the topic, since there is no exact science or statistics to back the claims being made by either side of the discussion.

Right. No 2 situations are exactly alike. There are all kinds of differences. What I was pointing out was criticism in regard to Gute and the team for drafting Love in the first round when Rodgers is a future HOF QB with some years left has its parallels. I was explaining the differences and the similarities and the future possibilities. First, the attack on Gute and Murphy may very well be over the top. And Rodgers may have a reason for concern and dismay. I saw a similar move years ago by my company when I thought I was in the drivers seat. So it can be disturbing. On the other hand I pointed out that not only did such an event take place in the past but did so WITH the Green Bay Packers and WITH unarguably the greatest coach of the 20th century in the NFL. And I made mention that unlike the Love circumstance of today Don Horn was no more highly regarded than he was. And yes Rodgers has been named MVP, he has won a SB, and he has had league leading numbers in many categories. But going into the 1967 NFL draft so did Bart Starr. IN fact he had won more championships at the time than Rodgers today. But unlike today there was NO such attack of Lombardi by neither media nor fans. And there was no resentment or disenchantment by Bart Starr of all people. Someday there will be an heir apparent to Aaron Rodgers just as we knew there would be one for Bart Starr. We hope today that someday it will be a successful Jordan Love just as we hoped Don Horn would be the one to carry the torch for another decade. As it turned out Horn never became what we had hoped after Lombardi departed. And we had no one to truly carry the torch for Bart Starr until #4 came along. Let us also hope that we do not have to wait another 25 years like we did then.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Right. No 2 situations are exactly alike. There are all kinds of differences. What I was pointing out was criticism in regard to Gute and the team for drafting Love in the first round when Rodgers is a future HOF QB with some years left has its parallels. I was explaining the differences and the similarities and the future possibilities. First, the attack on Gute and Murphy may very well be over the top. And Rodgers may have a reason for concern and dismay. I saw a similar move years ago by my company when I thought I was in the drivers seat. So it can be disturbing. On the other hand I pointed out that not only did such an event take place in the past but did so WITH the Green Bay Packers and WITH unarguably the greatest coach of the 20th century in the NFL. And I made mention that unlike the Love circumstance of today Don Horn was no more highly regarded than he was. And yes Rodgers has been named MVP, he has won a SB, and he has had league leading numbers in many categories. But going into the 1967 NFL draft so did Bart Starr. IN fact he had won more championships at the time than Rodgers today. But unlike today there was NO such attack of Lombardi by neither media nor fans. And there was no resentment or disenchantment by Bart Starr of all people. Someday there will be an heir apparent to Aaron Rodgers just as we knew there would be one for Bart Starr. We hope today that someday it will be a successful Jordan Love just as we hoped Don Horn would be the one to carry the torch for another decade. As it turned out Horn never became what we had hoped after Lombardi departed. And we had no one to truly carry the torch for Bart Starr until #4 came along. Let us also hope that we do not have to wait another 25 years like we did then.

Just to be clear, I was in agreement with you, but some will continue to say what Gute did in drafting Love was unprecedented in the history of the NFL. I guess in the true meaning of the word, those people are correct. Then again, someone wearing jersey number 3, standing on the 12 yardline, facing NW, at precisely 2:04 pm on the 3rd Sunday of October in a leap year; with 22.5 mph winds, would also probably be unprecedented.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Although Gute was in the organization he was in no way involved in the Packer draft process back then nor was he the one who made any decisions.

Gutekunst became the director of college scouting in 2012, you can be assured he was heavily involved in draft decisions from that point on.

The Bears are just a comparative example of what another NFL team did. Whether Love turns out to be a busted pick or not will be hindsight.

It doesn't make any sense to pick a random team that drafted a quarterback and use it to justify the Packers selecting Love though as the Bears and many other teams found themselves struggling to find an even decent starter at the time they used a first rounder on a QB.

I agree that hindsight will need to be used to decide if Love ended up being a bust. One thing a lot of you seem to misunderstand is that I don't consider him to be a terrible choice in the first round but that I would have preferred the Packers to not select any QB in the first round at all.

Teams have to take chances. I pointed out on this board that Lombardi made his 1st round pick Don Horn in 1967. And this happened right after Bart Starr was named the league MVP, won another championship, and led the league in passing that season. AND he was only 33 at the time. Horn had only 2 highlight games in his short Packer career. And the only reason he got on the field was due to injuries or the season result being inconsequential. Lombardi was the Packer head coach and GM at the time. NO ONE railed him for such a decision. He had an aging team. He could have drafted a player at many other positions in the first round. But he did not. He went with a QB. Starr only lasted through 1970 when his arm was shot. Horn could have been the heir apparent. It is just that he was not. So crucify Vince.

As mentioned above that is the only example anyone has been able to come with that is truly similar to what the Packerd did last year.

As I wasn't alive at that point I have no idea about how fans responded to the move.

But it isn't EXACTLY the same.

I gave up on the topic, since there is no exact science or statistics to back the claims being made by either side of the discussion.

It should be pretty obvious to everyone that the Packers didn't find themselves in situation remotely close to any of the teams you mentioned which ended up spending a first rounder on a quarterback.

I even listed stats to back up my claim which you conveniently chose to ignore.

Right. No 2 situations are exactly alike. There are all kinds of differences. a I there would be one for Bart Starr.

True, but there are similar situations like the Packers drafting Horn in 1967 after winning the Super Bowl and most others that are completely different (for example, the Giants selecting Jones after Eli went 8-23 the previous two years).

Just to be clear, I was in agreement with you, but some will continue to say what Gute did in drafting Love was unprecedented in the history of the NFL.

Well, if there's only one example you're capable of bringing up, with that having happened 53 years earlier, I guess it's fair to consider it close to unprecedented.

On top of it, Horn ending up a bust isn't a ringing endorsement for doing it again.

 

[PikeBadger]

Gutekunst became the director of college scouting in 2012, you can be assured he was heavily involved in draft decisions from that point on.



It doesn't make any sense to pick a random team that drafted a quarterback and use it to justify the Packers selecting Love though as the Bears and many other teams found themselves struggling to find an even decent starter at the time they used a first rounder on a QB.

I agree that hindsight will need to be used to decide if Love ended up being a bust. One thing a lot of you seem to misunderstand is that I don't consider him to be a terrible choice in the first round but that I would have preferred the Packers to not select any QB in the first round at all.



As mentioned above that is the only example anyone has been able to come with that is truly similar to what the Packerd did last year.

As I wasn't alive at that point I have no idea about how fans responded to the move.



It should be pretty obvious to everyone that the Packers didn't find themselves in situation remotely close to any of the teams you mentioned which ended up spending a first rounder on a quarterback.

I even listed stats to back up my claim which you conveniently chose to ignore.



True, but there are similar situations like the Packers drafting Horn in 1967 after winning the Super Bowl and most others that are completely different (for example, the Giants selecting Jones after Eli went 8-23 the previous two years).



Well, if there's only one example you're capable of bringing up, with that having happened 53 years earlier, I guess it's fair to consider it close to unprecedented.

On top of it, Horn ending up a bust isn't a ringing endorsement for doing it again.

You and many others here are a draft for needs guy. Eventually, those of you that adhere to that philosophy are going to have to realize that people like Thompson and Gutekunst didn't/don't adhere to that philosophy and draft for best talent value available on their board. I suspect an awful lot of people here would be quite surprised (myself included) if we saw the Packers draft board the day prior to the draft.