GREEN BAY – Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst addressed the media Tuesday shortly after the NFL's trade deadline passed.
Here are five things learned:
- There's nothing but appreciation for Preston Smith's efforts in Green Bay.
One of four major free-agent acquisitions of Gutekunst's in 2019, Smith lasted the longest before being traded to the Steelers for a seventh-round draft pick Tuesday.
In four of Smith's five full seasons with the Packers, he posted at least eight sacks, with a high of 12 the year he first arrived. The 10-year NFL veteran also developed into a respected leader in the locker room overall, and with the edge rushers in particular.
"For him to be here still 5½ years later and produce like he's produced, he's done a lot of good things for us," Gutekunst said. "I'm really appreciative. He played a lot of good football for us and won a lot of games. I wish him nothing but the best moving forward."
- The move was about handing more opportunities to younger players.
Sixth-year pro Rashan Gary is now the most experienced edge defender in coordinator Jeff Hafley's 4-3 scheme, with everyone else in his third year or younger. That group includes Kingsley Enagbare, Lukas Van Ness, Arron Mosby and Brenton Cox Jr.
Gutekunst noted the snap counts for Enagbare and Van Ness already have risen a bit lately, and their workload could still increase some more. The bigger beneficiaries of opportunity could be Mosby and Cox, both former undrafted free agents.
Mosby, mostly a special-teamer to this point, got his first career sack (shared with Gary) last week in essentially the first handful of defensive snaps he's played. Cox played sparingly in four games last season and has been a regular gameday inactive so far in 2024, which prompted Gutekunst to call him "eager."
"We're excited to see both of those guys, see some more snaps," Gutekunst said. "I think certainly they've earned it. I thought they did a really nice job in training camp, and they've continued that through practice.
"Allowing these two guys to get on the field a little bit and maybe some snaps to go to some other guys, too, I think will help us."
No single edge rusher necessarily has a bigger spotlight on him, though. The emphasis is on the collective effort of an edge-rushing group that has produced just eight sacks (including Smith's 2½) so far this season.
That's one factor in Hafley's defense not yet having "that real breakout game," but Gutekunst feels it's coming.
"From that entire group, we need more from those guys as we move forward into the second half of the season, and I think we'll get that," Gutekunst said. "I like the way they work. They've got to continue to keep pushing."
- Other leaders in the locker room are expected to emerge in Smith's absence.
Gutekunst didn't mention anyone specific, but in addition to established veteran leaders Jordan Love, Kenny Clark, Elgton Jenkins and Gary, first-year Packers Xavier McKinney and Josh Jacobs took on leadership roles upon arriving as free agents.
There are also others who aren't quite as visible but who might become so sooner than later.
"Whenever you lose (leadership), that just usually creates room for other guys to step into that void," Gutekunst said. "I think we have a lot of guys who are capable of doing that. We want to grow together, and the group that we've got in our front is doing that right now."
Bigger picture, leadership starts with QB1 in Love, and that won't change.
"He leads our team exactly how we want him to lead our football team," Gutekunst said. "Obviously, you guys have seen his ability to make plays and be a difference-maker in this league. He's meeting all my expectations. We have high standards around here and there's a lot put on his plate. Certainly, we feel very, very strongly that he's the guy to do that to."
- Any concerns with Love's play are about getting him healthy and continuing to work through the growing pains.
Love has thrown a league-high 10 interceptions in 6½ games, having missed 2½ contests due to injuries and fighting through other games at less than full strength.
Acknowledging there have been tough plays anyone would like back, Gutekunst noted the explosiveness of the Packers' offense is "very much because of him." It's also important to remember Love has started fewer than 30 NFL games to this point and remains "unflappable," a valuable trait at the position.
"When you're able to make plays like he does, there's a bit of a fine line where you're feeling it out," he said. "He's still a very young player from the amount of times he's started.
"It has to get better. I think we all know that. But at the same time, I'm not overly concerned. The way he works, the way he goes about things, that's just a matter of time in my opinion."
- Despite the disappointment last week, the GM remains bullish on this team's outlook for 2024.
Gutekunst referenced the way Head Coach Matt LaFleur and his staff got more out of last year's team as the season progressed toward a peak, and he believes this year's team can follow a similar path.
It can't be assumed, though, and it has to be proven on the field. Gutekunst's confidence stems from believing the players assembled "are made of the right stuff." In the long run, that'll help smooth out what so far has been a bit of a bumpy ride.
"We've got to continue to come together as a football team and play better football at times, but we're 6-3, I think we're in a good spot," he said.
"More consistency and maybe a little bit better in situational football (is the goal). To go deep in the playoffs and to contend for championships, you have to be that kind of team. We're working towards that and I think these guys have had really good moments, but you've got to be consistent with that, you've got to be able to call upon that whenever you need it."
