 The Green Bay Packers are preparing for another pivotal offseason, and general manager Brian Gutekunst will be front and center next week as he represents the franchise at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. While head coach Matt LaFleur will once again skip the event, Gutekunst is scheduled to speak with the media Tuesday morning at 10:15 a.m. Eastern—one of the earliest appearances of the day.
For Packers observers, Gutekunst’s presence marks the true opening of the team’s offseason strategy. His comments often hint at positional priorities, contract philosophies, and long-term roster vision, making his appearance a highly anticipated moment for fans and analysts awaiting clarity on organizational direction. His decision to speak early in the schedule suggests a desire to address key questions swiftly and shift focus toward evaluations, interviews, and meetings that dominate the week in Indianapolis.
Last season, Gutekunst bypassed the traditional midseason press conference entirely, helped by the timing of an early bye week and a quiet trade deadline. His most recent public remarks came on February 4, during an end-of-year session delayed by contract extensions for LaFleur, Gutekunst himself, and executive vice president of football operations Russ Ball. With continuity secured among the top leadership roles, the Packers now turn their focus to roster building and structural adjustments ahead of free agency and the NFL Draft.
LaFleur’s absence from the combine is hardly surprising. He has skipped the event in 2023, 2024, and 2025, reflecting a broader organizational shift in how the Packers approach pre-draft evaluations. Historically, NFL head coaches traveled to the combine for in-person prospect interviews and full access to athletic testing. But Green Bay’s post-pandemic philosophy emphasizes 30 pre-draft visits, where the team can host prospects at their facility for deeper one-on-one evaluations. These sessions allow for expanded film review, scheme discussion, and personality assessment—elements the organization favors over brief combine conversations.
As a result, the Packers’ coaching staff places less value on traveling to Indianapolis for short, timed interviews in the combine’s high-pressure environment. For them, the true insights come later, during quieter, more controlled sessions in Green Bay. The combine, however, remains a priority for Gutekunst and the personnel department, who rely heavily on athletic testing, medical evaluations, and leaguewide networking to shape draft boards and free-agency strategy.
One storyline that complicates the Packers’ offseason planning is the unresolved introduction of new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, hired nearly a month ago. The organization has yet to schedule a formal press conference to introduce him, leaving fans with unanswered questions about schematic direction, staff changes, and defensive philosophy. With the combine ending on March 2 and free agency essentially beginning on March 9 with the start of the legal tampering period, the team faces a tight timeline to provide clarity and implement Gannon’s vision.
The upcoming weeks will be particularly demanding for the Packers front office. Not only must they prepare for combine interviews and testing, but they also must complete staff decisions that remain in flux. Following the resignation of special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia on February 17, LaFleur has been evaluating candidates for the vacancy. Four coaches have reportedly interviewed, though one has already withdrawn after accepting a college position. The Packers are expected to accelerate the hiring process to ensure the staff is fully assembled before free agency opens.
The departure of Bisaccia marks a significant transition for the Packers. Under his leadership, Green Bay saw noticeable improvement in coverage discipline, kicking-game execution, and overall consistency after years of struggles. His exit leaves a meaningful gap to fill at a moment when the team seeks stability and cohesion entering a crucial offseason. The selection of a new special teams coordinator will affect roster construction, depth chart distribution, and game-day strategy—elements that Gutekunst must consider as he evaluates players at the combine.
While LaFleur remains in Green Bay, Gutekunst’s trip to Indianapolis symbolizes the operational divide within the organization: coaching responsibilities at home and front-office responsibilities on the road. This structure allows LaFleur to remain focused on staff decisions, scheme planning, and internal organization while Gutekunst handles leaguewide duties. The arrangement is now routine, though it continues to shape the Packers’ preseason approach.
From a team-building perspective, the Packers enter the combine with several key questions that will influence draft and free-agency priorities. Their defensive transition under Gannon may reshape needs at linebacker, cornerback, and defensive line. Offensively, Green Bay could look for depth at wide receiver, interior offensive line, and tight end as they continue developing their young core. Gutekunst traditionally avoids tipping his hand, but his combine remarks may provide subtle insights about which areas require reinforcements.
The early speaking slot assigned to Gutekunst reinforces the idea that the team wants to use its time efficiently, freeing up the remainder of the week for scouting meetings and player interviews. Evaluating medical reports, reviewing athletic data, and comparing positional tiers will be essential tasks as the Packers prepare for a draft class rich in defensive talent and offensive skill players.
Beyond roster considerations, Gutekunst’s role in Indianapolis also includes assessing future free agents and potential trade candidates. The combine often serves as an unofficial marketplace where front-office executives gauge player availability, contract projections, and leaguewide trends. For the Packers—who must navigate cap constraints, possible contract restructures, and decisions involving veteran leadership—this week could shape their broader strategic arc.
As March 9 approaches, the Packers must be fully prepared to act decisively. Free agency offers an opportunity to patch holes, reinforce depth, and potentially acquire impact players to support LaFleur’s system. But those decisions rely heavily on combine evaluations and staff clarity—two areas still unfolding as the team navigates a busy stretch.
The intersection of timing, staffing needs, and organizational communication makes this one of the most pivotal periods of the Packers’ offseason. With Gutekunst stepping forward as the franchise’s public voice at the combine, his comments will set the tone for what lies ahead. Whether discussing personnel philosophy, staff updates, or draft strategy, his presence signals a transition from internal reflection to external action.
And as Green Bay approaches a new league year—with uncertainties swirling around coaching assignments, roster decisions, and defensive identity—the spotlight will once again widen around Gutekunst. Tuesday’s press conference won’t provide all the answers, but it will be the first major step toward understanding how the Packers intend to navigate the road ahead.
