Gutey, Rodgers, Love and Davante - A Packer Fan's View
By contributor
Editor's Note: The following is a guest post from a Packers fan impelled to put on (digital) paper his view of the whole situation.
Brian Gutekunst woke up the morning after the Packers annual devastating playoff loss and stared into the proverbial abyss. The bizarre Jordan Love pick notwithstanding, the young general manager had pitched a nearly perfect game in his four seasons at the helm. A career defining all-or-nothing binary suddenly lay at his feet: does he trust the three wizards and run it back, or does he listen to Ted?
Gutekunst had thrilled the majority of the Titletown Faithful with a fresh progressive mindset. He deftly combined his predecessor Ted Thompson’s stalwart frugality with a modern acknowledgement of his team’s championship window, and a dalliance with the traditionally forbidden free agency. He inked free agent home runs like Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Billy Turner, Adrian Amos, De’Vondre Campbell, and Rasul Douglas–-as well as contributors like Christian Kirksey and Rick Wagner, among others. Gutekunst stole Alan Lazard from the Jaguars practice squad, and hired one of the most successful young coaches in NFL history in Matt LaFleur.
When it came to the draft, he eschewed his predecessor Thompson’s preference for selecting the amorphous “football player” for quantifiable speed and athleticism. His success in the draft ironically made his job harder at the conclusion of rookie contracts. His draft highlights speak for themselves: Jaire Alexander, Rashan Gary, Darnell Savage, A.J. Dillon, Elgton Jenkins, Eric Stokes, Josh Myers, and Tedarrell Slaton. With that track record and a young brilliant head coach, why not move 12 & 17 for a king’s ransom in draft capital, and then geek-out analyzing Relative Athletic Scores of 22 year-old’s? It’s not hard to guess what Ted Thompson would do: prove no player is bigger than THE Green Bay Packers, reinforce fidelity to the cap, and build through the draft with an unprecedented arsenal of picks. He’d say goodbye to Rodgers and Adams without blinking.
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Of course, the first wizard mattered the most. From 2021 to 2022, Aaron Rodgers went from aggrieved and aspiring game show host to loyal foot soldier in the Titletown Army—preaching gratitude and extolling the virtues of his one-time nemesis, Gutekunst, in interviews and MVP speeches. With two NFC Championship Games and 39 regular season wins in the last three seasons, Gutekunst was inarguably accomplished in his short tenure, but perhaps nothing was more impressive than repairing his relationship with the infamous Complicated Fella™️.
But even though he’s coming off back-to-back MVP’s, Rodgers turns 39 this year and at this point it’s clear he’s dedicated to making his future with the Packers an annual “beautiful mystery.” Rodgers also doesn’t mind taking the attention off football with media conspiracy theories or sharing his independent epidemiology research ideas. Did Gutekunst trust Rodgers’ wizardry to continue, or was he tired of solving mysteries and ready to push the reset button by acquiring franchise-altering draft capital for Rodgers?
The second wizard earned his title because of late hands and violent feet. What would become clear even before the start of the 2021 season, however, is that Davante Adams didn’t just want to get paid. He wanted to get PAID. Although inarguably deserving, the Packers’ thin salary cap paired with an outlier mega-deal for DeAndre Hopkins in Arizona made that difficult. But by all accounts, the Packers front office brass was surprisingly comfortable acquiescing to this new reality, making an exception from their traditional fiduciary prudence for a transcendent video game wide receiver.
As he had for 14 years with the Packers, the last wizard would find a way to afford the first two with complex spread sheets, arcane clauses, and contingent footnotes. If the salary cap really IS a myth, Russ Ball may be it’s primary modern author. Known for his mastery of the lesser understood loopholes in the NFL’s esoteric salary cap, Ball had renegotiated, reconfigured, and restructured his way into the hearts of the modern, analytical Packers fan. If Gutekunst chose to rebuild and cash in 12 and 17 for a reported five or so premium draft picks and/or young players—Ball’s job would be relatively easy. But if Gutey wanted another run or three with Rodgers and Adams—it would be the test of Ball’s career.
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The media and Packers fans alike assumed the conventional wisdom: either bring back Rodgers and Adams or trade them both. The world was wrong. When Gutekunst shocked the world by shipping Adams to Las Vegas for 2022 first and second round picks, he was trusting that Rodgers was elite long before his majestic mind meld with route artist Davante Adams, and would be when he was gone. Gutey knows a little something about motivating Aaron Rodgers with bad news. Rodgers will now have all the motivation in the world to drag some rookie to star status, and a yet-to-be-named replacement-level receiver to their career high numbers next season. Although the Packers 7-0 record without Adams is far closer to a small sample sized statistical anomaly than the biblical road map for an Adams-less future many Packers fans now see—Rodgers’ historical wizardry elevates everyone, without exception.
With reports coming in that Rodgers signed his deal knowing Adams was likely gone—it appears he and Gutekunst didn’t see the binary decision the rest of the world saw. Thinking outside-the-box may be one of the few personality traits Rodgers shares with his GM. But here’s the problem: the NFL doesn’t traditionally reward hedging. It’s either rebuild, or go all-in, and the teams that haven’t learned that lesson are relegated to the competitive purgatories in Chicago and Minneapolis.
As presently constituted, the 2022 Packers are not legitimate Super Bowl contenders. If the 13-win teams of the last three seasons weren’t strong enough to even show up to the Super Bowl, why would Packers fans have any hope that a team replacing Davante Adams with 66 cents on the dollar will get it done? After all, isn’t Adams a primary reason for Rodgers late career resurgence? Or, like Greg Jennings before him, does Adams turn into a pumpkin the moment his jet’s wheels hit the Vegas tarmac? While Packers fans talk themselves into the latter, plus a nominally improved cap situation and a suddenly exciting 2022 draft class—in the back of their minds they debate the wisdom of half measures.
Gutekunst and Ball are far from done working their magic, and by the time they are, this team could return to favorite status. However, the reality is—relying on unproven rookies and the remaining free agent class (that is still free for a reason)—that’s just not likely. Unfortunately, it might be as simple as a young GM wanting to keep his job by remaining competitive, and not wanting his career defined by trading the B.O.A.T., Aaron Charles Rodgers.
It would’ve been a tremendously courageous decision to trade both Rodgers and Adams. Even with that haul of picks, Gutey would’ve had to continue to out-draft his competitors for it to work. Projecting the professional success or failure of college students is about as easy as winning your March Madness bracket, and if he failed at that daunting task, he’d likely be fired. But if he had taken (for example) the return the Seahawks got for Russell Wilson (basically: three young players, two firsts, and two second rounders)—and added the first and second rounder for Adams, the Packers would likely be set up for a decade. They would’ve had a year to give Jordan Love an extended tryout, and if he wasn’t the answer, easily traded up in the loaded quarterback class of 2023.
Instead, Gutekunst chose an annual beautiful mystery over listening to Ted. The Rodgers soap opera will continue. Packers fans will hope these decisions were made with the same calculated mindset that defined Gutekunst’s young tenure, rather than self-preservation. But recall the young GM’s one substantial mistake was hedging at the quarterback position, by trading up in the first round for Jordan Love. Other than that one decision, the Packers went all-in the last three seasons—but now the bill is due. So when Gutekunst and Ball push their chips to the middle again in 2022—this time without Davante Adams—the Packers’ enemies are anxiously hoping to call what they hope is a bluff, and finally take back The North.
Sean O'Brien, Packers Fan.
Follow him on twitter at @ob_sean.
Comments (81)
LambeauPlain
March 19, 2022 at 10:19 am
What is bizarre are fans who label the Love pick as bizarre after six quarters of regular season football in two years. In those 6 quarters, Love outplayed a fan guaranteed HOFer in Mahomes....and out played "Captain Capture of Cap", who played with starters while Love played with backups. Love even led the backup team to a lead the defense could not hold.
JohnnyLogan
March 18, 2022 at 07:47 pm
Oh, please, if a one-game anomaly has you putting Love and Mahomes in the same sentence, then you are truly myopic. Love has shown nothing as yet. He may turn out to be a Hall of Famer, but I don't think Gute sees it at this point. So let's ask ourselves why Gute didn't trade Rodgers.
Many reasons -- he's already got a Hall of Fame QB in Rodgers... he thought he'd have both Adams and Rodgers (Adams turned down more money to go play in Vegas)... and maybe a most telling reason may be that after a few seasons of watching Love on the practice field, he's no longer enamored.
I think the Packers came out of this Ok. A couple of decent WR's in the draft, a possible pick-up midseason of a legit WR in the run to the playoffs, and a more talented and seasoned defense... give much hope for the future. Adams departure hasn't sunk the Packers.
This is a very very good team.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
March 18, 2022 at 10:18 pm
I didnt see him compare Love to Mahomes. He stated a fact. Love did outplay Mahomes. If you cant accept that, then it says more about you and your lack of a grasp on reality than the OP.
Strat
March 18, 2022 at 11:14 pm
You can't read and he didn't outplay Mahomes. The Chiefs were playing bad football at that time on both sides of the ball, especially the D. All he had to do was something and he did nothing. He reminded me of what rookie QB's looked like before the NFL made it easier to throw the ball. He looks scared in a position where that's the last thing you want to do. Doesn't matter how many quarters he's played. Fact is, if he was what the Packers thought he was, or even close, they would've shown Rodgers the door, scored the motherload, and moved on. He was a bad and unnecessary pick for a number of reasons. They didn't need to draft a QB at that time. Patriots needed a QB and were still drafting in front of the Packers and they passed on Love, with good reason.
LambeauPlain
March 19, 2022 at 10:46 am
He did out play Mahomes in that game...a defensive struggle. It is called football.
Obviously you were pulling your hair out after TT drafted Rodgers...who played like crap during his early outings on the field. I recall how "fans" back then were complaining about his selection even after Favre was threatening to retire. Reminds of another QB who has been coin flipping "retire or not retire" for the last two seasons.
He was a bad and unnecessary pick for what reasons, exactly? Two 13 win seasons? Did Love keep them from going to the SB? How?
Can you guarantee Rodgers will not retire after 2022? 2023? Now that man, Mr Rodgers, could nuc the Packers playoff chances all by himself if he retires.
Archie
March 19, 2022 at 10:22 am
I agree that Gute is acting like he knows that Love's future may not be what he thought it was he night he drafted him.
Pack's way of doing business has to change i.e., stop waiting till the 11th hour to make their best offer. By that time negative feelings have set in. If Gute really wanted Adams back, as it now appears he did, Ball should have made this offer or something close to it long ago.
Personally, I would have traded both and given Love a year to prove himself. Take one step back to take several steps forward, maybe.
After no #1 picks on WR since 2002, this could be the year we take two in the first round - the kid from Bama and the kid from ARK. Two very different types of WRs who would complement each other well. And I could see them going after a TE as well (McBride). Give Rodgers the weapons he will need to leverage our OL and RBs. And yes, one of those top 4 picks must be used to get Kenny Clark his Robin.
LambeauPlain
March 19, 2022 at 10:27 am
Oh please. Nothing like erecting a straw dog to kick.
I had Mahomes and Love in the same sentence because they competed against each other. Yet you myopically claim Adams probably left the Pack who offered more money because he watched Love practice? LOL!
Packerpasty
March 19, 2022 at 11:13 am
exactly, well said...to put Mahomes and Love in the same sentence is pretty darn funny, especially when its implied that Love is just as good...green and gold blinders are on I guess...
egbertsouse
March 18, 2022 at 09:08 pm
You are delusional. Please take your meds before you post. You are embarrassing yourself.
Bure9620
March 18, 2022 at 09:13 pm
Yup, excellent points.. jordan Love was told 9n a Wednesday he was going to start on Sunday....with basically no reps with the starters..
Bure9620
March 18, 2022 at 09:17 pm
Yup, excellent points.. Jordan Love was told on a Wednesday he was going to start on Sunday....with basically no reps with the starters..played quite admirably considering those difficult circumstances and outplayed Mahomes on the road.......I don't think Love will ever really be treated fairly or objectively by most media or most Packers fans.
Coldworld
March 19, 2022 at 12:02 am
And heightened Covid protocols further limiting even walk through. LaFleur also used an unchanged Rodgers game plan. (Why?).
Thegreatreynoldo
March 19, 2022 at 11:44 am
Well, I agree that these are mitigating points. They mean that fans should not discount Love and should not discount the possibility that he could develop into a good QB.
They do not provide support for the notion that Love is good, or will be good. The facts are that Love completed 56% of this passes for 190 years, just 5.6 yards per attempt (4.85 AY/a), 1 TD, 1 INT, and a 69 passer rating. Those are bad numbers. The team scored 7 points. The notion that Love outplayed Mahomes is one, unimportant even if it were true, and two, untrue. Mahomes was about the same as Love. Mahomes finished with a 74 passer rating, completing 54% for 166, 1 TD and 0 INTs. If it were true, fine, but I'd say Love was not quite as terrible as Mahomes was in that game, but it was a close call. And Love had nothing to do with Mahomes having a terrible game.
LaFleur and circumstances did Love no favors, so I agree with Coldworld.
Stroh
March 18, 2022 at 09:43 pm
Yeah, that bizarre pick led directly, or very nearly, to Rodgers 2 MVPs the last 2 yrs. To deny that is to deny human nature! Rodgers came back renewed and with a vengeance immediately after drafting Love! That wasn't by accident. The Love pick has already paid off in spades!!
Alberta_Packer
March 18, 2022 at 11:38 pm
Just for the sake of perspective - the MVP is a regular season award. I would far prefer A.R. be a SB MVP.
Bure9620
March 18, 2022 at 11:55 pm
Me too....if he ever makes one again. We will win the NFC North.....
Pack88
March 18, 2022 at 06:40 pm
This was a well reasoned article but the human factor was skipped over like an extraneous calculation and not perhaps the crux of the matter! I have expressed the belief that when Adams was not extended last year he became determined to leave GB. Adams has had several brutal head shots through his career and he is very aware of how quickly it could come to an end. I believe his close friends (Rodgers perhaps) knew he wasn't coming back. When he built the house in Vegas I was convinced a tag and trade was underway. At the time I thought Denver was the destination as a pkg with 12. When 12- resigned I didn't think Vegas would step up, but I am sure having a new HC who was fully behind Carr. the impetus was there to make a great deal for GB. It may prove to be a great deal for Vegas as well but we shall see.
Pack88
Coldworld
March 18, 2022 at 07:17 pm
It’s possible, but it seems awfully like a hunt for the palatable.
BirdDogUni
March 18, 2022 at 07:29 pm
I concur with your assessment of the Adam's situation. Once he wasn't extended last season, he wasn't coming back. He'd made up his mind, whether they tagged him or not. He felt he deserved an extension or FA. I don't blame him.
I absolutely love Gutey wrangled a 1st and 2nd round pick out of the mess, and can't wait to see what else he has in store for us.
BruceC1960
March 18, 2022 at 09:12 pm
Did 12 & 17 really think they could both be paid top $$ ?
BirdDogUni
March 18, 2022 at 09:51 pm
IDK. I know I am glad that DA solved the problem the way he did though. I think it's going to be a very good year.
Alberta_Packer
March 19, 2022 at 12:02 am
If it's true that the Packers were willing to match the Raiders offer - then yes. Fortunately DA did the Packers fans a big favor by accepting the Raiders offer.
SanLobo
March 19, 2022 at 11:07 am
Yes, and they were right. They both have contracts as the highest paid in their position.
Turophile
March 18, 2022 at 07:03 pm
Contributor:
"But recall the young GM’s one substantial mistake was hedging at the quarterback position, by trading up in the first round for Jordan Love."
But was drafting Love a mistake ? Firstly he is still unproven as being either good or poor, the jury is still out. Secondly, he may have been a major spur to Rodgers playing as he has, these last two seasons.
Coldworld
March 18, 2022 at 07:19 pm
This time last year Gary was a mistake in the eyes of many. So was Dillon.
BirdDogUni
March 18, 2022 at 08:01 pm
I admit I was immediately pissed when we drafted Gary. It also didn't take me long to admit I was wrong. You know I loved the Dillon pick. ; )
How pissed do you think the guys will be if Gutey drafts Breece Hall before a WR? Lol
I want it to happen just to see the reactions.
Coldworld
March 19, 2022 at 12:18 am
Only twice have we picked the position I thought we would in the first round. Both have been corners. I’m not sure what the receivers will fall into range of our picks. At this point it wouldn’t shock me to see one move back for an extra shot.
Archie
March 19, 2022 at 10:29 am
Much more likely that Gute will trade up in R1 &/or R2 this year.
dobber
March 19, 2022 at 12:32 pm
I think he stays put with those picks and takes the most play-ready guys at shallow roster positions he can get.
LambeauPlain
March 19, 2022 at 10:33 am
I would like to see Gutey move back with one of his 1st rounders and one of his second rounders to garner more picks.
With the cap nuc to go off, getting as many solid prospects thru the draft on day two on rookie deals makes sense to me.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
March 18, 2022 at 10:22 pm
I absolutely hated Gute for passing on Derwin James or Tremaine Edmunds just to trade down and then trade back up for Jaire. Then I was proven wrong almost instantly. That was when i stopped doubting Gute's judgement. The man is a boss.
Alberta_Packer
March 19, 2022 at 12:04 am
"The man is a boss" - when he's allowed to be.
Stroh
March 18, 2022 at 09:47 pm
Drafting Love reinvigorated Rodgers into the MVP the past 2 yrs!! To deny that is to ignore that Rodgers loves to carry a HUGE chip on his shoulders to motivate him, not to mention deny human nature!
jont
March 19, 2022 at 10:59 am
"But was drafting Love a mistake ?"
I said then and I'll say again that the Love pick was by itself OK but in the context of the draft and free agency moves that off season it was not good because other more pressing needs were not addressed adequately, if at all. If GB had taken a good receiver or ILB then the Love pick would not have stood out so much, would not have defined that season's personnel decisions.
On its merits the pick was a risk-- even Love supporters thought moving up cost the Packers too much-- but given the trouble the Pack had when 12 had his broken collar bones, upgrading the GB room was necessary.
It's water over the dam now, but one can't help but wonder what might have been with a good choice of WR that year.
Coldworld
March 19, 2022 at 11:08 am
The career “success” rate for first round picks is considered to be less than 6 out of ten ( just under 5 out of ten for second round picks). That’s a debate that can be had often around the league. It keeps the football chatter industry going almost single-handedly .
MarkinMadison
March 18, 2022 at 08:55 pm
I think this move made a TON of sense. One of the reasons that Rodgers locked in so hard on Davante was the obvious imbalance in talent in the WR room. Meaning Davante had as much talent as everyone else in the room combined. The situation only would have become worse as Davante's cap number bloomed. So this is the logical choice: you keep the elite QB and you trade the one great WR so that you have a chance to reset the room with more draft picks and more cash available. The 2022 WR room will look nothing like the 2021 WR room. And that is a good thing.
Alberta_Packer
March 18, 2022 at 11:44 pm
I would also consider a new WR room as a good thing. What may hamper this renewal is that Rodgers has shown that he doesn't like to practice much anymore - certainly pre-season and the regular season (if the opportunity arises). However this may positively benefit Love.
egbertsouse
March 18, 2022 at 09:18 pm
Houston just got 3 first round draft choices plus other picks for DeShaun Watson, a guy who might be suspended next year. Gute didn’t have the guts to rebuild the franchise in this manner and instead opened the vault to throw cash at a guy who craps the bed every playoff season. I didn’t like TT but he is far better than this gutless weenie.
WestCoastPackerBacker
March 18, 2022 at 09:56 pm
How does NO look without Brees, NYG without a Manning at the helm, NE without a Brady behind center, and PIT looking for a QB that can prove he even belongs in the NFL. ALL of the teams that went very far in the playoffs had a top talent at QB. So what if GB could "rebuild?" Could they have rebuilt to the level of relevance? Why not ride the tails of the guy who might be the most talented QB ever to play the game? That gives you an amazing season of football and an excellent chance in the post season. But to roll the dice on finding another QB and going 8-9 or 7-10 for several years isn't going to make fans happy. I am glad Gutey kept #12. WRs were always more replaceable than the guy that distributes the ball. Without Adams they can build a much stronger roster, and they'll find receiving talent. It's a ways until the season starts; they'll get some guys that can catch and run and score.
Coldworld
March 19, 2022 at 12:24 am
How did Pittsburg look last year, NO the year prior? Nothing is for ever and nothing is achieved by one player in isolation. Ask Montana. The past scores no points in the present.
Archie
March 19, 2022 at 10:37 am
The supply of NFL quality WRs is ever-increasing these days as both the college and pro games have become more geared to the passing game. With that said, why pay $28+MM/yr for a WR when you can find a perfectly good one in the draft? They say RBs have diminished in value. WRs should join them if you believe in supply and demand economics. OTOH, there will always be a shortage of franchise QBs and game changing pass rushers. So QB, Edge/DT and CB deserve the big bucks.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
March 18, 2022 at 10:24 pm
Id be willing to bet everything I own that the choice to bring Rodgers back was made by Murphy or the EC. No way Gutekunst made that decision. Never in a million years.
Alberta_Packer
March 19, 2022 at 12:05 am
I agree - after all he went against the grain to draft Love. While the E.C. may have had a part in the decision - my strong guess is that this is the work of the outdated and harmful Murphy
Bure9620
March 19, 2022 at 02:36 am
This is just not a comparable situation......
stockholder
March 18, 2022 at 09:22 pm
Let's just stop beating around the Bush. Love was the wrong pick. And Gutey got an F from his peers that draft. He's made some great moves. But Love wasn't one of them. It's Time!. They're the biggest words said in Green Bay. And there is No better Time than now to dump Love. We need play makers. Not excuses, Reasoning, or any other BS, that Love is the next Rodgers. The pattern has emerged that the WR cupboard is bare, Stale, and out dated.
Stroh
March 18, 2022 at 09:50 pm
Love was the exact right pick. Todgers created a chip on his shoulders after Love was selected. He doesn't win 2 more MVPs without that chip on his shoulders!
Thegreatreynoldo
March 19, 2022 at 11:54 am
This is your opinion. It cannot be proven or disproven.
WestCoastPackerBacker
March 18, 2022 at 09:58 pm
Why exactly do they "dump" Love, and who will be the backup? And exactly which team would want him and for what compensation? He's a relatively cheap backup and if they need him, they'll find out what they have. It's silly to dump him now.
dobber
March 18, 2022 at 10:05 pm
"And Gutey got an F from his peers that draft."
GMs don't give each other grades.
Strat
March 19, 2022 at 12:13 am
Green and yellow colored glasses will never admit that. The B.S. of not playing enough quarters is just that. How many quarters do they think Love will play now? Very few unless they want Rodgers to get injured. The staff can evaluate him in practice and worthless preseason games since those are their only options unless Rodgers can't play. So now they'll probably trade him. And what do you think they'll get for him? Just because they were foolish enough to move up to get Love, doesn't mean another team will bail them out by giving them a high draft pick. Big, unnecessary mistake.
Alberta_Packer
March 19, 2022 at 12:28 am
On the other hand - Love is just a Rodgers hang nail or other little toe away from seeing meaningful regular season action this year. Because QBs usually become more fragile, not less, as they age.
Bure9620
March 19, 2022 at 01:43 am
I really don't understand how you could have full evaluation of Love. Think of it this way, they believe they have a special talent but raw prospect and took a swing. They took a swing knowing they already had a roster capable of competing for a Super Bowl. So take the QB you like. And if Rodgers is hurt?? Season over? It can't be.....Do you think the Falcons regret trading Favre all those years ago??
Coldworld
March 19, 2022 at 11:14 am
Love is so often viewed through the lens of feelings about Rodgers. It’s ironic that their stats at the same point in their tenure are virtually indistinguishable. Only time will tell.
ricky
March 19, 2022 at 10:05 am
This is impatience personified. Dump Love? Why? Is he a locker room cancer? Has he been an off field problem? Or is he a player who has had three seasons to learn the offense, and is still on a cheap contract? If you dump him, exactly who will be the Packers backup QB? This is just disappointment that Love, who has gotten to start one game (with poor game planning and no adjustments to his style of play) didn't set the world on fire. But he did light a huge fire under Rodgers' underperforming butt, and pushed him into a higher gear. For that reason alone, keep him around.
Archie
March 19, 2022 at 10:42 am
The rumor was that the Pack felt they had to trade up for Love because the Colts were interested in him. Unless GB knows Rodgers is only staying in GB for one more year, now is the TIME to trade Love to Indy for a #2 and #3. Otherwise you risk losing him as a FA after year 4 (one year away).
Packerpasty
March 19, 2022 at 11:15 am
all these "thumbs down" on anything critical about Love makes me very suspicious...there aren't that many dumb people around, (well maybe there are) but I smell a rat....
Turophile
March 19, 2022 at 12:59 pm
Plenty of dumb people around. If you look around you and don't see anyone dumb, chances are it's you.
Lphill
March 18, 2022 at 09:43 pm
Packers did not go all in the last 3 seasons , keeping Maurice Drayton as long as they did is not going all in , signing a valid linebacker in 21 but not 19 or 20 is not going all in , signing a QB in the first round is not going all in ,sure they made moves like everyone else but they didn’t put it all on the line .
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
March 18, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Why dont you go get a GM job and show us how its done then?
Lphill
March 19, 2022 at 12:05 am
I guess I made my point , right ?
Coldworld
March 19, 2022 at 12:27 am
Going all in and making dumb decisions are not mutually exclusive. Using an apple to justify claiming all oranges are green.
Stroh
March 18, 2022 at 09:55 pm
Without Adams In the lineup the Packers are 7-0! The offense becomes diversified instead of Adams centric! Take your Adams fandom and replace it with an attack that is difficult to prepare for. This exactly what Favre went thru without Sharpe!
albert999
March 18, 2022 at 10:48 pm
The real Adams numbers
https://sports.yahoo.com/inside-davante-adams-three-67-001601321.html
Thegreatreynoldo
March 19, 2022 at 12:18 pm
Looks like Adams just wanted out. That is a 3 year, $67.51M ($22.503M AAV with $7.75M dead) deal. Nothing guaranteed fully or in practice after year 3. Just a $8.17M cap number for 2022.
No wonder GB agreed to match it. It would have been a fabulous contract in GB for Adams.
The FO needs to stop pissing players off or Adams wanted loads more money or a much better structure to play in GB. Adams will never see $35M in cash in year 4 and again in year 5 unless that is the going rate for however well Adams is still playing.
HaroldDrake
March 19, 2022 at 01:31 am
Excellent article. Of course, the Adams gap now needs to be filled. The Packers have operated with a second-tier receiving corps for several years even with DA in the mix. At present, the game's top QB AR12 has not a single elite WR target which is inconceivable given his $50 million per annum salary and a supposed "all in" strategy.
Gutekunst is now obliged to find at least one elite veteran receiver (Smith-Schuster, Jarvis Landry), bring back MVS to at least give Rodgers another familiar face in the WR corps, and perhaps take a shot on a Julio Jones at a reduced salary.
Meanwhile, the Packers need to draft an elite WR (Olave, please) in the first round and another in the second round.
There is no point in committing to Aaron Rodgers for the next two years (and possibly a third) unless you are giving him viable throwing options. Oh, did I forget to mention that Green Bay could use an elite tight end and please don't include Tonyan or Deguara in that category?
And, in anticipation of the Luddite Brigade arguing for a run-first offensive strategy, need I point out that you do not give AR12 a $150 million contract to hand the ball off to Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. Even the Great Draft Bust Jordan Love is capable of that at a fraction of the cost.
Aaron Rodgers needs an elite WR corps to enable him to lead the Packers to a Super Bowl. Gutekunst has thus far denied him those "weapons" by having fielded several No. 2 receivers to complement Adams. Now that Adams is gone, the team needs to embark on a massive restructuring of the WR corps or the Rodgers New Deal will be utterly meaningless.
It is staggeringly obvious that early warnings of a WR debacle in 2022 have come true with the added vengeance of the departure of the NFL's top receiver, Davante Adams. Surely Gutekunst does not believe that the third-rate Amari Rodgers (slow and fumble-prone), the aging Randall Cobb, and Tonyan provide Rodgers with an adequate multiple threat passing attack in which Rodgers is forced to rely on a more balanced aerial strategy as opposed to the Adams-centric version. If one looks at a sample of the NFL's best teams (Kansas City, Cincinnati, Tampa Bay, Buffalo, the LA Chargers), all have elite QBS and every single one of these squads have a better WR corps than the Packers. We all witnessed how Rodgers lacked a capable TE and a reliable alternate receiver in the loss to the Niners in January (and please stop moaning that he missed an open Lazard on the long pass to a double-covered Adams).
What is evident is that the Packers do not have a speedy slot receiver. They do not have an elite wideout on either side of the offensive formation. They do not have a deep threat. This is the massive challenge facing Gutekunst. Dare we pray for the acquisition of DK Metcalf?
Bure9620
March 19, 2022 at 02:46 am
They don't value receivers on the same level with other positions and especially not right now. They value potection. And with a 39 year old $150 million QB that does make sense. You surround young QBs with a bevy of weapons. Surround a Vet with great protection. This is tue around the league as well. Poor protection for a vet QB makes them want out, see Russell Wilson.
They have Lazard, Rodgers in year 2 and Cobb. Working on MVS and have 4 top 100 picks to draft cheap young speed....
LLCHESTY
March 19, 2022 at 04:58 am
Actually 5 in the top 100, 4 in the first 59.
Bure9620
March 19, 2022 at 07:59 am
Yes, Thank you
croatpackfan
March 19, 2022 at 06:05 am
"There is no point in committing to Aaron Rodgers for the next two years (and possibly a third) unless you are giving him viable throwing options. Oh, did I forget to mention that Green Bay could use an elite tight end and please don't include Tonyan or Deguara in that category?"
To be honest with you, I believe AR need to improve significantly his accuracy, more than trying to give him any WR you believe has good hands. There is no receiver who is able to constantly catch balls thrown unaccurate. AR accuracy deminishing year by year, what you can see the best on long throws. Of course, if you want to see.
HankScorpio
March 19, 2022 at 05:29 am
I stopped reading when the author compared Gute to TT. They are nothing alike at all. In terms of cap management, TT preferred a pay-as-you-go approach while Gute does not mind using future cap dollars to pay for the current roster. In the draft, TT was more into trading down than up, holding the view to throw as much against the wall as possible to see what stuck. Gute prefers to trade up in an effort to get quality over quantity.
The Lombardi count stands at 1-0, in favor of TT.
Archie
March 19, 2022 at 10:50 am
Yes, as different as different can be.
Can you imagine draft day with Gute had he traded Rodgers too? Would have been the mother of all drafts.
LambeauPlain
March 19, 2022 at 10:54 am
Hank, it took TT 6 years to get his Lombardi. It took the Wolfman 5 years to get his.
Gutey has a roster stocked with his choices over 4 years now. Let's see what happens in years 5 and 6.
Bure9620
March 19, 2022 at 11:54 am
Yes and Gute has built a Super Bowl Roster. If the QB does not play well in the playoffs or goes off script. That is not on the GM. However, it is on Gute now bringing Rodgers back.....we will see where this goes....I hope a SB but I am pretty skeptical
Bure9620
March 19, 2022 at 11:54 am
Yes and Gute has built a Super Bowl Roster. If the QB does not play well in the playoffs or goes off script, That is not on the GM. However, it is on Gute now bringing Rodgers back.....we will see where this goes....I hope a SB but I am pretty skeptical
Bure9620
March 19, 2022 at 12:15 pm
Sorry double post
Bure9620
March 19, 2022 at 12:15 pm
Sorry double post
Thegreatreynoldo
March 19, 2022 at 12:21 pm
Triple post (you know I try to be accurate). 😁
HankScorpio
March 19, 2022 at 03:12 pm
We'll have to agree to disagree on whether Gute has built a SB roster. I've been saying the WR group was a fatal flaw that will always show up in the playoffs since the loss at SF in the NFCCG. I have not been wrong yet.
seanmob
March 19, 2022 at 11:03 am
Appreciate the feedback. I think if you kept reading you'd find the piece mostly agrees with your position. I think Gutey has some TT in him, but has increasingly diverged from his strategies.
JPPackerFan
March 19, 2022 at 11:20 am
Over the past few years (and in the playoff game vs. San Fran) it has been exceedingly apparent that Aaron Rodgers had such a strong addiction to Davante Adams that he willingly would pass on throwing to a wide open receiver and force that pass in to Davante. The mega trade this past week removes that from the next 2 or 3 seasons. As for will Aaron Rodgers be elite without Davante - the answer is an absolute yes. He will simply have to develop a trust connection with the next receiver in the #1 spot. He developed it with Jordy, Jennings, and Davante and I believe he can do it again. IF he wants to. There is still no guarantee that another block buster, cap saving, fan shocking trade doesn't happen involving a Green Bay player. I note the lack of a "splash" player to replace Davante as a potential reason to suspect more change could be on it way. A football team is a business and a business must be profitable to survive. Right now the contract for Rodgers has the Packers leveraged well into the future - possibly beyond his playing years.
Thegreatreynoldo
March 19, 2022 at 12:43 pm
The comparison between TT and Gute is interesting.
TT (after getting the cap in order) bought Woodson and Pickett.
TT drafted a QB even though he had a older top 5 QB on the roster.
TT traded back in the 1st, but he traded up in the 2nd & later rounds.
Gute inherited a decent, not great, cap situation.
Gute bought 4 big FAs in his 2nd year.
Gute drafted a QB even though he had an older top 5 QB.
Gute trades up in the 1st and every other round. Back once, big time.
As for Love, as far as we know he is going about his business with class and is publicly pretty quiet. Would it surprise anyone if he is not entirely happy with the front office? We now know that everything was not all rosy between the Favre and Rodgers camps in 2005 to 2007. As some have noted, AR's stats prior to 2008 and Love's to date are not significantly different.