What Brian Gutekunst didn't say this week matters more than what he did

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst tackled myriad subjects during his season-closing presser. However, he probably revealed more with what he didn't say than what he did.

Three and a half weeks after the Green Bay Packers’ playoff loss to the Chicago Bears, general manager Brian Gutekunst met with the assembled media for his season-closing press conference. He discussed myriad subjects during his approximately 40 minutes in front of the mic, including several that quickly made the rounds on social media:

• Gutekunst expressed support for Rich Bisaccia, a sign that the embattled special-teams coordinator will return for the 2026 season. “I have a lot of faith in Rich and what we’re doing there,” the GM said. “I think the last game, obviously, we missed some kicks. Brandon (McManus) had made 32 straight going into that game, so we certainly didn’t see that coming. But we got to be better in those situations.”

• As for new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, Gutekunst said the team will take more time before deciding whether to shift to a 3-4 base defense or maintain the four-man front that Jeff Hafley installed in 2024. “He has background in both 4-3, 3-4, and has the versatility to kind of do what he thinks is in the best interests with our current players,” Gutekunst said of Gannon. “That’ll kind of evolve as he gets to know our team.”

• On whether Aaron Banks and Nate Hobbs, last year’s high-priced free-agent additions, might not return for 2026, Gutekunst gave a fairly definitive answer: “Those guys are under contract, so I would expect them back.”

On the surface, those answers don’t reveal much more than what already seemed apparent. If the Packers wanted to move on from Bisaccia, they presumably would have in January before the pool of replacement options thinned. As for Gannon’s alignment preferences, Gutekunst presumably has some idea of the direction the team will go, but it won’t alter their offseason plans too dramatically. And with Banks and Hobbs, Green Bay would receive only modest salary-cap relief from releasing them -- about $5.4 million combined in additional cap space as pre-June 1 cuts -- and replacements could cost even more without offering upgraded play.

However, when it comes to providing true insight into what the front office has planned for the offseason, Gutekunst probably revealed more with what he didn’t say than what he did.