Latest news with #Gutekunst
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL sees Elgton Jenkins as top 10 interior offensive lineman entering 2025
Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins ranked in the 10 of interior offensive linemen for the second consecutive season. Last year, Jenkins -- who played left guard -- ended up at No. 10 in Jeremy Fowler's voting-based review of positions from coaches, scouts and executives at ESPN. This year, Jenkins is moving to center but is still considered a top player, coming in at No. 9 overall in Fowler's preseason rankings. One voter had Jenkins as high as the No. 2 interior offensive lineman. Another voter, an NFL coordinator, said Jenkins is "so underrated." "Can play anywhere, tough, physical, smart," the coordinator said. Jenkins is a two-time Pro Bowler who has started games at guard, center and both tackle positions in the NFL. He's one of pro football's only true five-position offensive linemen. Last year, Jenkins received 10 All-Pro votes for his work at left guard. He was a Pro Bowler as primarily a left guard in both 2020 and 2022. After signing Aaron Banks to a big deal in free agency, the Packers are moving Jenkins to center -- a position he played extensively at Mississippi State and a position he's played several times at the NFL level, including a start last season. General manager Brian Gutekunst believes Jenkins has big potential at center entering 2025. "We feel he has a chance to be an All-Pro center," Gutekunst said in March. The Packers are hopeful the addition of Banks at left guard and Jenkins' move to center can provide a boost for the interior of the offensive line in 2025. A contract adjustment might be required for Jenkins before he plays for the Packers this year. He turns 30 in December and has only two years left on his current deal, and he's now moving to less lucrative position at center. Jenkins didn't participate during the offseason workout program while negotiating a reworked deal with the Packers. Gutekunst has a difficult needle to thread. Jenkins is a top player, and his move to center is vital to the 2025 Packers. But he's also approaching 30, and committing more guaranteed money to him long-term can be a risky financial adventure. The Packers and Jenkins need to compromise before the start of the 2025 season.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Packers Predicted To Make Major Trade With Browns For $13M Defensive Back
Packers Predicted To Make Major Trade With Browns For $13M Defensive Back originally appeared on Athlon Sports. One of the primary responsibilities of an NFL General Manager is to ensure that the team's roster is in optimal condition heading into the season. For Green Bay Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst, this meant prioritizing enhanced protection for quarterback Jordan Love by signing former San Francisco 49ers guard Aaron Banks, drafting Anthony Brown in the second round of the 2025 draft, and injecting fresh talent into the receiving corps with Matthew Golden, Savion Williams, and Mecole Hardman. Advertisement Gutekunst also improved the pass rush by drafting Barryn Sorrell, Collin Oliver, and Warren Brinson. Moreover, he signed former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs in free agency. Still, the cornerback position is one of the weakest links on the team. Nevertheless, during mandatory minicamp, Gutekunst expressed strong confidence that his starting cornerbacks will step up and make a significant impact this season. Still, Gutekunst is likely to stay alert to league-wide transactions. If the right opportunities come along, he could make one or two moves to add players who can help Green Bay win games. Given that the Packers have a weak spot at cornerback and the Browns may want to improve their receiving corps, both teams could potentially strike a deal in the future, as suggested by The Athletic's Zac Jackson. Cleveland Browns CB Greg Newsome II (0) and S Juan Thornhill (1) celebrate after a pass break up during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens.© Ken Blaze-Imagn Images "Not now, but months from now you can envision some sort of Greg Newsome for a GB receiver framework," Jackson wrote. Newsome was a first-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2021. He appeared in 12 games each season and started at least 11 games annually from 2021 through 2023. However, last season he started only 3 of 13 games and earned an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 52.2, ranking him 177th out of 223 qualifying cornerbacks. Advertisement The Browns picked up Newsome's fifth-year option last year, locking him in for a $13.37 million salary in 2025. If the Packers were to trade for him, they would likely need to negotiate a long-term contract extension. Throughout his career, Newsome has alternated between playing outside cornerback and slot, offering the kind of flexibility Green Bay typically values in its defensive backs. Newsome is coming off a down year in 2024, so it is tough to imagine Green Bay giving up draft capital and a receiver, then turning around and negotiating a new deal for a player who took a step back. Still, Jeff Hafley has a strong track record of developing defensive backs — and if anyone can help Newsome get back to form, it is the Packers' defensive coordinator. Related: Former Packers $21 Million Star Named Potential Replacement For Jaire Alexander This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox Sports
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Packers receiver Bo Melton works out at cornerback after release of Jaire Alexander
Associated Press GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst believes the Packers have more cornerback depth than most NFL teams even after releasing two-time Pro Bowl selection Jaire Alexander. But that didn't stop them from exploring creative ways to boost that position as they opened their minicamp Tuesday. One day after the Packers cut ties with Alexander, wide receiver Bo Melton spent part of practice working out at cornerback. Melton, the older brother of Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton, already has showcased his versatility with his contributions on special teams. 'We just thought that if there is somebody that can potentially do both, he would be that guy,' Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. 'I think a lot of it is just from his production on (special) teams and just his ability to make plays on teams.' Melton has combined for 24 catches for 309 yards and one touchdown plus 11 carries for 75 yards over the past two seasons. He also had a touchdown in the Packers' 2023 NFC divisional playoff loss at San Francisco. Anything he could contribute on defense would help Melton distinguish himself in a receivers room that got crowded with the arrivals of first-round draft pick Matthew Golden and third-round selection Savion Williams. 'I think it's just something we're going to look at and see if it's a possibility,' Gutekunst said. 'There are very few guys who have done it in our league, there have been a few, and when a guy's able to do that, it certainly helps your football team.' Green Bay got accustomed to playing without Alexander when injuries caused him to play in just 34 of the Packers' 68 regular-season games over the past four years. He appeared in only seven games last season. Now the Packers know they won't have him at all. 'He's someone who definitely believed in me from the get-go when I got my opportunity. … It's tough to see him go,' quarterback Jordan Love said. 'I wish him nothing but the best, but right now, it's moving on and seeing what's next for our team.' The Packers' top three cornerbacks — Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and Nate Hobbs — have 91 combined starts. Thirty-two of Nixon's 34 starts and all 19 of Valentine's starts came with Green Bay. Hobbs started 38 games with the Las Vegas Raiders from 2021-24 before signing with the Packers. 'Some guys don't even have two, (and) we've got three really good starting corners that we really like quite a bit,' Gutekunst said. 'Again, I think we have more depth than most.' But the only other Green Bay cornerbacks with any NFL playing experience on defense are Isaiah Dunn and Gregory Junior. Dunn played 114 defensive snaps for the New York Jets in 2021. Junior played 18 defensive snaps for Jacksonville in 2022 and 93 more in 2023. 'I think we know that three of those guys have gone out and played significant snaps, and then we've got a lot of young guys that are just kind of unknown,' LaFleur said. Gutekunst said there was no 'bad blood' regarding Alexander's exit and said the Packers made the move because of the 28-year-old's recent injury history. Alexander was due for a base salary of $16.15 million in 2025 and $18.15 million in 2026 as part of the four-year, $84 million contract extension he signed in 2022. Releasing him cleared about $17 million in cap space. 'I just think for what that amount of money is, I think that's a lot to pay for a guy who hasn't been able to get on the field,' Gutekunst said. 'Again, it's not his fault. It's just something that kind of transpired, so we just kind of were looking for something different.' NOTES: OL Elgton Jenkins was present for minicamp but wasn't practicing. Jenkins, who is moving from left guard to center this year following the offseason signing of Aaron Banks, hadn't attended the voluntary organized team activities. 'He's helping out and coaching the other guys right now,' LaFleur said. 'He's worked on the side, but we thought it was best to keep him out today. … Love said he's looking forward to the opportunity to match up with former Packers teammate Aaron Rodgers now that the four-time MVP has joined the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Packers play at Pittsburgh on Oct. 26. Love said the two of them have exchanged texts since Rodgers signed. '(I) told him that we're going to need to swap jerseys after the game,' Love said. … Love said that his wedding is 'coming up here soon, a couple weeks out.' Love is engaged to volleyball player Ronika Stone. 'It's been awesome,' Love said. 'We're excited.' ___ AP NFL: recommended
NBC Sports
20-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Brian Gutekunst has concerns about NFL players getting injured in Olympic flag football
The NFL is expected to vote today to allow active players to participate in Olympic flag football, but not everyone is on board. Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst said he's a supporter of using the Olympics to promote American football around the world. But he doesn't think it's a good idea to risk NFL players getting hurt doing it. 'I think overall, [flag football in the Olympics is] a great thing,' Gutekunst told ESPN. 'I'd love it if we kept the NFL players out of it.' Gutekunst cited 'the risk' of injury as the reason he's not enthusiastic about NFL players in the Olympics. Although the injury rate in flag football isn't as high as in tackle football, injuries do happen in flag games. And if an NFL star gets a serious injury in an Olympic flag football game, that star's team is not going to be happy that it lost a key player in a game that might draw international attention to football but means nothing to his team. Still, NFL owners appear willing to risk it, and many NFL players appear eager to become Olympians. It looks like NFL players will be in the Olympics in the summer of 2028, with their teams crossing their fingers and hoping that they'll show up to training camp healthy.
USA Today
12-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How closely did Packers stick to draft principles in 2025? What we learned from 8 picks
How closely did Packers stick to draft principles in 2025? What we learned from 8 picks With the Green Bay Packers' scouting philosophy remaining very much the same going all the way back to the days of Ron Wolf, a fairly strong grasp has been established on what the team looks for in terms of athleticism and other traits at various positions during the draft. Every year though, exceptions are made and the boundaries are bent. These departures from the norm can be small or significant, and there were plenty of them this year. In the 2025 draft, Green Bay deviated from their usual standards on seven of their eight picks, but also stuck to their core principles. Here is how the Packers bent their general guidelines this year: WR Matthew Golden Golden had the most limited athletic profile the Packers have drafted in the first round since 2001, only running a 40 and skipping the vert and broad jumps, as well as the agility testing. It seemed more players than ever opted out of some, if not all of the pre-draft testing this year, which likely prompted this exception being made. Many people thought Green Bay would have to care less about athletic testing in general this year due to the widespread lack of testing, with the idea being: 'If you remove all the players who did not test from your board, there will be barely anyone left." That did not really turn out to be the case. Every player the Packers drafted did at least some athletic testing, and although they did take some players with incomplete profiles, they did not draft anyone who skipped the 40-yard dash. Gutekunst talked pre-draft about how skipping testing hurts players more than it helps them, and made it clear it clouds or even changes evaluation of prospects if they do not test. He was true to his word, and athletic testing will continue to be a vital part of Green Bay's draft philosophy. Along those lines, they did not bend on their penchant for taking players with truly elite speed in round one. Since Brian Gutekunst took over as general manager, he has spent nine of his ten first-round picks on players with an "elite" speed grade according to the Relative Athletic Score (RAS) system. Jordan Love is the only exception. Golden also stretched the limits of how small they are willing to go, at least in terms of non-slot receivers. At 5-11 and 191 pounds, he has the smallest height/weight combination of any boundary receiver drafted by Gutekunst, and going back to the Ted Thompson era, he is even smaller than Greg Jennings was coming out of college. Jennings was just over 5-11, and 197 pounds, and was previously the floor for a receiver the Packers have spent premium capital on in the last two decades. Anthony Belton Tipping the scales at 336 pounds, Belton is the heaviest offensive lineman the Packers have drafted by 15 pounds, even going back to the Thompson era. He actually played even heavier in college, and whether Belton actually keeps dropping weight to get closer to Green Bay's usual range in the low 320s remains to be seen. Speaking to the media at rookie minicamp, he mentioned wanting to drop another 10 pounds, but his weight as of now is unknown. The 336-pound listing is from the combine, so whether he has put weight on since then and wants to lose it again, or is still around that weight but wants to get even lighter, is something of a mystery. Rather than the Packers making an exception or changing their preferences though, the lesson from the Belton pick might be that they actually do not care about players being "too heavy." There have been rumors Green Bay would have selected offensive tackle Darnell Wright instead of Lukas Van Ness if he had been there in 2023. Wright, who was drafted by the Bears before the Packers could have a chance at him, is also a big man at 333 pounds. The assumption that has long been made is that Green Bay stays clear of the comically sized offensive tackles, from both a height and weight standpoint, because there is a limit to how big you can be and still be able to bend, play with leverage and potentially kick inside to play guard. This assumption is likely true, but it seems the key factor is height, rather than weight. Belton is 6-6 even, which is tied for the tallest offensive lineman drafted in the Gutekunst/Thompson era, while Wright was just under 6-5 ⅓. As long as they are not too tall, and are good athletes, like Wright was and Belton is, it appears the Packers do not care how heavy they are to an extent. Gutekunst even joked after the draft that he would often be teased in his days as a scout for over-grading guys who had size. For how well those on the outside have nailed down the types of players the Packers like, there will still always be things that are unknown. It seems this is one of those instances, and something to keep in mind in the future, rather than something the team has changed. Savion Williams Contrary to popular belief, the Packers do care about production, especially at the skill positions. Savion Williams is the least productive wide receiver, in terms of production as a true receiver, that Green Bay has drafted in the Gutekunst/Thompson era. He had just 611 receiving yards in his best season. The previous low in a best season was Christian Watson, who had 801 in his final year at North Dakota State. Williams did have some impressive rushing production to make up for it though, having put up 322 yards on the ground, bringing his yards from scrimmage total up to 933 yards, and he also put up 12 total touchdowns in 2024, six through the air and six on the ground. The Swiss army knife role Williams had within the TCU offense, and the supplemental stats that came from it likely eased concerns over his lack of true receiver production. Barryn Sorrell Sorrell has shorter arms than any edge rusher Gutekunst has drafted at 32.5", although they are longer than Clay Matthews' whom Thompson drafted in round one. Collin Oliver If Oliver is viewed as an EDGE, he is a huge outlier for the Packers in terms of size at just under 6-1 ⅔ and 240 pounds. He is 10 pounds lighter than any edge rusher Gutekunst has drafted (although he is the same weight as Matthews) and a full inch shorter, even including the Thompson era, with Nick Perry the previous low. If he is viewed as a linebacker body type however, Oliver does not break any rules, which is possibly what made Green Bay feel comfortable taking him, knowing there is at least the potential for him to play some off-ball linebacker and not just be a designated pass rusher. Warren Brinson Brinson is marginally slower in terms of 40 time and 10-yard split than any defensive tackle Gutekunst has drafted, behind Karl Brooks by 0.01 seconds in the 40 and 0.02 seconds in terms of 10-yard split, both completely negligible differences. Micah Robinson At 183 pounds, Robinson is lighter than any cornerback the Packers have drafted since at least 2011. He is one pound lighter than Shemar Jean-Charles, whom Gutekunst admitted was a big outlier for them. John Williams If Belton had not become the heaviest offensive lineman drafted by Green Bay in the Gutekunst/Thompson era a day earlier, the award would have gone to John Williams, although not by much, as he is just one pound heavier than Sean Rhyan and Derek Sherrod.
