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GREEN BAY – Brian Gutekunst held his end-of-season press conference Feb. 4. Following are several highlights from the Green Bay Packers general manager’s 38½-minute session with the media.
Gutekunst gave every indication Rich Bisaccia will be back as special teams coach and that the GM thinks the Packers are trending in the right direction in that facet of the game.
The Packers finished last season ranked No. 4 in the NFL in net punt coverage and No. 11 in net kickoff coverage, but they were No. 28 in net punt return, No. 21 in net kickoff return and No. 23 in field-goal percentage.
“What Rich brings to our culture, this football team, he’s a very impactful coach around here,” Gutekunst said. “I thought we’ve been better on (special) teams these last few years than we’ve been in a long time. Our cover units have been better, we have one of the best punters in the National Football League, an excellent snapper.
“Brandon (McManus) was excellent last year [i.e., 2024], this year he worked through some things injury-wise and then had a bad playoff game. That was kinda how that ended. I've got a lot of faith in Rich and his staff, what they do around here, not only the X's and O's and what they bring to the field, but what they bring to this place culturally is really important.”
Gutekunst said in recent seasons he’s kept more special-teams players on the roster than in the past, which was a departure from his time working for his mentor, Ted Thompson.
“(It) was always funny, because Ted was a special teams guy,” Gutekunst said of Thompson as an NFL player. “We were never going to have a player that was strictly a special teams guy. He had to play a position, and that would mean you’re in kind of a developmental role as a position player on offense or defense.
“I think when Rich got here and the way I think about him and the faith I have in him, we’ve certainly had a lot of those kind of guys that are more special teams-oriented players, and we improved, we’ve gotten a lot better.”
Gutekunst also strongly suggested he intends to pay McManus the $1 million roster bonus he’s due on the third day of the league year in March.
McManus went 24-for-30 on field-goal attempts and 32-for-33 on extra points in the regular season and missed three big kicks (two field goals and an extra point) in the Packers’ loss to Chicago in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
The 34-year-old had a thigh injury in the middle of last season, but Gutekunst noted that after his return from the injury the kicker made 32 straight field goal and extra point attempts combined until the first of his three missed kicks in the playoffs.
“He worked through an injury thing early in the year which I commend him for fighting through because it was a little more than probably he let on,” Gutekunst said. “Once he got through it he was really, really good until that final game. He's a pro’s pro.
“One thing I've always felt good about is he knows how to kick in weather, so certainly we didn’t see that game in Chicago, for him not to perform like normally does. Yeah, we’ll have competition at that spot, but not because of anything that happened this past year. I think we always have had competition at that spot.”
Gutekunst theoretically left open the door for several highly paid but underperforming players to return next season, though which will actually be back will be determined in the next month or so.
Both of Gutekunst’s big free-agent signings from last offseason, Aaron Banks and Nate Hobbs, were plagued by injuries and poor performance in 2025, whereas edge defender Rashan Gary’s production nose-dived in the second half of the season after a solid start.
Banks and Hobbs are due roster bonuses on the third day of the new league year (March 13) – Banks $9.5 million, Hobbs $6.25 million.
Both had injury issues dating to training camp – Banks had multiple injuries (back, ankle, groin and stinger), whereas Hobbs had knee issues (meniscus tear, later MCL sprain).
When asked about Banks’ and Hobbs’ return, Gutekunst said: “Losing five games in a row, I don’t know if we’ve made decisions on anybody yet. But yeah, those guys are under contract, so I'd expect them back.”
Gary's chances of returning are likely the worst of the three unless he’d agree to a big pay cut, which seems unlikely. He’s due $19.5 million in salary and bonuses next season, and the Packers can save about $11 million in badly needed salary-cap room if they cut him.
“I expect all these guys under contract to be back, but we’re just getting started at looking how we’re going to build out the team for next year,” Gutekunst said of Gary. “I thought he started out really, really strong. Obviously he had a lot of production early. I think he ended up with 60-some pressures and 7½ sacks, which that’s pretty good production in the National Football League. I did think towards the end of the year he wasn’t as productive as he was at the beginning.”
Gutekunst gave no indication of whether the Packers will play a 3-4 or 4-3 defensive scheme under new coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
Gannon ran a 4-3 as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator in 2021 and ‘22, then a 3-4 as coach of the Arizona Cardinals the last three seasons.
“(He) has the versatility to do what he thinks is in the best interest of our current players,” Gutekunst said. “That will kind of evolve as he gets to know our team.”
Gutekunst said he didn’t know a lot about Gannon until coach Matt LaFleur brought him in for an interview to replace Jeff Hafley.
“Everybody spoke really, really highly of him,” Gutekunst said. “Really enjoyed our visit together and excited about what he can do. He brings some different ideas than what we’ve done in the past, so that’s exciting. Obvioiusly he has a very strong, proven track record. That experience is something that was enticing.”
Gutekunst suggested he’ll try to sign tight end Tucker Kraft to a contract extension this offseason even though Kraft is coming off a torn ACL sustained in early November.
Kraft, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, probably won’t be ready to play until around the start of the regular season.
“Certainly the impact he has on our football not only as a player but as a leader is very important to us,” Gutekunst said. “We've obviously already been in contact with him and just letting him know how we feel, and we’ll kinda see where it goes.”
Gutekunst suggested that right tackle Zach Tom will be back for at least part of training camp after undergoing surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon after the season.
Tom injured his knee against Denver on Dec. 14 and had platelet-rich plasma injections in an attempt to return but was unable to play after the injury.
“Really proud of Zach and how hard he fought to get out there and play with what he was dealing with,” Gutekunst said. “He's going to be on the shelf for a little while here in the offseason, but I wouldn’t expect it to impact his 2026 season.”
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers GM Brian Gutekunst indicates Rich Bisaccia will return
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Special teams coach Rich Bisaccia appears set to return
Gutekunst gave every indication Rich Bisaccia will be back as special teams coach and that the GM thinks the Packers are trending in the right direction in that facet of the game.
The Packers finished last season ranked No. 4 in the NFL in net punt coverage and No. 11 in net kickoff coverage, but they were No. 28 in net punt return, No. 21 in net kickoff return and No. 23 in field-goal percentage.
“What Rich brings to our culture, this football team, he’s a very impactful coach around here,” Gutekunst said. “I thought we’ve been better on (special) teams these last few years than we’ve been in a long time. Our cover units have been better, we have one of the best punters in the National Football League, an excellent snapper.
“Brandon (McManus) was excellent last year [i.e., 2024], this year he worked through some things injury-wise and then had a bad playoff game. That was kinda how that ended. I've got a lot of faith in Rich and his staff, what they do around here, not only the X's and O's and what they bring to the field, but what they bring to this place culturally is really important.”
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Gutekunst said in recent seasons he’s kept more special-teams players on the roster than in the past, which was a departure from his time working for his mentor, Ted Thompson.
“(It) was always funny, because Ted was a special teams guy,” Gutekunst said of Thompson as an NFL player. “We were never going to have a player that was strictly a special teams guy. He had to play a position, and that would mean you’re in kind of a developmental role as a position player on offense or defense.
“I think when Rich got here and the way I think about him and the faith I have in him, we’ve certainly had a lot of those kind of guys that are more special teams-oriented players, and we improved, we’ve gotten a lot better.”
Gutekunst also strongly suggested he intends to pay McManus the $1 million roster bonus he’s due on the third day of the league year in March.
McManus went 24-for-30 on field-goal attempts and 32-for-33 on extra points in the regular season and missed three big kicks (two field goals and an extra point) in the Packers’ loss to Chicago in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
The 34-year-old had a thigh injury in the middle of last season, but Gutekunst noted that after his return from the injury the kicker made 32 straight field goal and extra point attempts combined until the first of his three missed kicks in the playoffs.
“He worked through an injury thing early in the year which I commend him for fighting through because it was a little more than probably he let on,” Gutekunst said. “Once he got through it he was really, really good until that final game. He's a pro’s pro.
“One thing I've always felt good about is he knows how to kick in weather, so certainly we didn’t see that game in Chicago, for him not to perform like normally does. Yeah, we’ll have competition at that spot, but not because of anything that happened this past year. I think we always have had competition at that spot.”
Will any or all of Aaron Banks, Nate Hobbs and Rashan Gary be back?
Gutekunst theoretically left open the door for several highly paid but underperforming players to return next season, though which will actually be back will be determined in the next month or so.
Both of Gutekunst’s big free-agent signings from last offseason, Aaron Banks and Nate Hobbs, were plagued by injuries and poor performance in 2025, whereas edge defender Rashan Gary’s production nose-dived in the second half of the season after a solid start.
Banks and Hobbs are due roster bonuses on the third day of the new league year (March 13) – Banks $9.5 million, Hobbs $6.25 million.
Both had injury issues dating to training camp – Banks had multiple injuries (back, ankle, groin and stinger), whereas Hobbs had knee issues (meniscus tear, later MCL sprain).
When asked about Banks’ and Hobbs’ return, Gutekunst said: “Losing five games in a row, I don’t know if we’ve made decisions on anybody yet. But yeah, those guys are under contract, so I'd expect them back.”
Gary's chances of returning are likely the worst of the three unless he’d agree to a big pay cut, which seems unlikely. He’s due $19.5 million in salary and bonuses next season, and the Packers can save about $11 million in badly needed salary-cap room if they cut him.
“I expect all these guys under contract to be back, but we’re just getting started at looking how we’re going to build out the team for next year,” Gutekunst said of Gary. “I thought he started out really, really strong. Obviously he had a lot of production early. I think he ended up with 60-some pressures and 7½ sacks, which that’s pretty good production in the National Football League. I did think towards the end of the year he wasn’t as productive as he was at the beginning.”
Still no word on whether defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon will run 4-3 or 3-4
Gutekunst gave no indication of whether the Packers will play a 3-4 or 4-3 defensive scheme under new coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
Gannon ran a 4-3 as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator in 2021 and ‘22, then a 3-4 as coach of the Arizona Cardinals the last three seasons.
“(He) has the versatility to do what he thinks is in the best interest of our current players,” Gutekunst said. “That will kind of evolve as he gets to know our team.”
Gutekunst said he didn’t know a lot about Gannon until coach Matt LaFleur brought him in for an interview to replace Jeff Hafley.
“Everybody spoke really, really highly of him,” Gutekunst said. “Really enjoyed our visit together and excited about what he can do. He brings some different ideas than what we’ve done in the past, so that’s exciting. Obvioiusly he has a very strong, proven track record. That experience is something that was enticing.”
Tucker Kraft in line for contract extension?
Gutekunst suggested he’ll try to sign tight end Tucker Kraft to a contract extension this offseason even though Kraft is coming off a torn ACL sustained in early November.
Kraft, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, probably won’t be ready to play until around the start of the regular season.
“Certainly the impact he has on our football not only as a player but as a leader is very important to us,” Gutekunst said. “We've obviously already been in contact with him and just letting him know how we feel, and we’ll kinda see where it goes.”
Zach Tom 'on shelf' for the offseason
Gutekunst suggested that right tackle Zach Tom will be back for at least part of training camp after undergoing surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon after the season.
Tom injured his knee against Denver on Dec. 14 and had platelet-rich plasma injections in an attempt to return but was unable to play after the injury.
“Really proud of Zach and how hard he fought to get out there and play with what he was dealing with,” Gutekunst said. “He's going to be on the shelf for a little while here in the offseason, but I wouldn’t expect it to impact his 2026 season.”
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers GM Brian Gutekunst indicates Rich Bisaccia will return
Continue reading...
