Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst answered questions for over 30 minutes on Wednesday. The press conference served as both a 2025 season-ending press conference and the opener of the 2026 offseason.
Gutekunst discussed returning on a contract extension, the disappointment of losing five straight games to end the 2025 season and what’s ahead as the offseason begins. More than anything, Gutekunst dismissed injuries as an excuse for the failures to end the 2025 season, and he said his team won’t run from championship expectations moving forward.
We’ll have more coverage at Packers Wire over the next several days, but here are a few quick takeaways from Gutekunst’s press conference on Wednesday:
Expect Rich Bisaccia and Brandon McManus to return
Gutekunst praised both special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia and kicker Brandon McManus, strongly suggesting both will return for 2026, and he dismissed any need to further emphasize special teams moving forward. More specifically, Gutekunst said McManus battled through an injury and then made numerous kicks before his playoff disaster in Chicago, where he missed two field goals and an extra point and cost the Packers seven points. He called him a “pro’s pro” but did say competition at kicker is likely. On Bisaccia, Gutekunst praised his impact as a culture builder in Green Bay.
“I have a lot of faith in Rich and what we’re doing there,” Gutekunst said.
Vague on upcoming personnel decisions
Gutekunst mostly passed on providing information on any of the upcoming decisions facing his front office staff. On several occasions, Gutekunst said a player is “under contract” and “expected to be back” but offered nothing more. That’s not surprising — a general manager isn’t going to throw a player under the bus or show his hand on a player’s future. It’s tough to determine what the expected path is forward for players like Rashan Gary, Nate Hobbs and Aaron Banks coming out of Wednesday’s press conference.
“Losing five games in a row, I don’t know that we’ve made a decision on anybody yet,” Gutekunst said.
Early extension talks with Tucker Kraft
Gutekunst said the Packers have already been in touch with Tucker Kraft’s representatives about a contract negotiation, despite the fact that Kraft is currently rehabbing a torn ACL. It sounds like the early stages of a negotiation have begun or will soon begin.
“The impact he has on our football team not only as a player but as a leader is important to us,” Gutekunst said.
However, Gutekunst did acknowledge that — while the team would love to have him back — quarterback Malik Willis will likely have opportunities to play more as a looming unrestricted free agent.
Cornerback renovation? Not happening?
Expecting a major rebuild at cornerback? Gutekunst probably squashed those dreams. He said Keisean Nixon had a “very, very good” season in 2025, and he was complimentary of how Carrington Valentine developed in a starting role. He also noted Nate Hobbs’ injury situation. While he admitted depth and competition is required, big changes are probably unlikely at cornerback.
“Do we need wholesale changes? No,” Gutekunst said.
Other notables
— Gutekunst expects right tackle Zach Tom to miss time during the offseason but he does not think his knee injury will affect Tom’s 2026 season.
— Gutekunst noted new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has experience in both the 3-4 and 4-3 fronts, but he didn’t specifically say which base front the Packers will be using in 2026. He likely knows. He just wasn’t willing to share today.
— Gutekunst called running back Josh Jacobs a “warrior” for battling through injuries and a “really important” player on the roster, suggesting he’ll be back in 2026. But he once said similar things about Aaron Jones in 2024.
— Gutekunst strongly suggested Jordan Morgan will be the left tackle in 2026. Of note, Gutekunst said Morgan probably did enough during last year’s preseason to win the left tackle job, but injuries forced adjustments. Rasheed Walker is set to be a free agent.
— Gutekunst believes his team will have plenty of “flexibility” entering free agency. The Packers have young players they want to re-sign, and they always want to be in a position to make a move if an opportunity presents itself.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Quick takeaways from Packers GM Brian Gutekunst’s press conference
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
