Why the Packers promoted Brian Gutekunst to GM, in a 90-second read

The Green Bay Packers named Brian Gutekunst as the new general manager, as first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Packers made it official on Monday.

Gutekunst, 44, has been with the Packers since 2002 and became the team’s director of player personnel in 2016. He will replace Ted Thompson, who previously served as the team’s GM for 13 seasons before transitioning to a different role within the organization.

Brian Gutekunst was in demand elsewhere. The Packers named Gutekunst the GM before another team could do it first. The Houston Texans flew him in Saturday and planned to interview him for their vacancy on Sunday, but he took the job in Green Bay instead.

He was also considered one of the frontrunners for the job with the San Francisco 49ers a year ago that eventually went to John Lynch.

Gutekunst may not have been the Packers’ first choice. A promotion from within isn’t surprising for Green Bay, but the team may have been interested in an outside hire before making the promotion.

They swung for the fences first by requesting to interview Seattle Seahawks GM John Schneider, but they were turned down.

Gutekunst may be the Packers settling, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad hire. Green Bay just tried to pull off a home run first.

The Packers had to tread through some drama. One of the rumors was that Green Bay could have Gutekunst split the GM role with Russ Ball. That is not the case, and it’s unclear if Ball will stay in his current position as vice president.

That’s good news for Mike McCarthy, who reportedly isn’t in good graces with Ball and could’ve been out as the Packers’ head coach if Ball was named GM. By hiring Gutekunst, Green Bay is likely sticking with McCarthy for another season.