Packers: Ranking 10 best and worst moves of Gutekunst’s tenure

No. 2 best: 2019 offseason

The Packers, for the first time since bringing in Charles Woodson and Ryan Pickett in 2006, showed they were actually all-in on competing for a deep playoff run. Gutekunst led the most aggressive Packer offseason in decades, signing Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Adrian Amos, and Billy Turner.

He also vaulted up nine spots in the first round of the draft to nab Savage. While he and Gary have come along slowly after two seasons in town, they look like keepers on this defense. While the moves sucked some real money out of future cap space, it simply had to be done. The Packer defense was in complete shambles and adding three strong starters was a much-needed sign of aggression from the front office.

No. 2 worst: Failing to improve special teams

For whatever reason, the Packers have stunk on special teams for ages. It cost them horribly this past season. Coordinator after coordinator continues to be fired, and Matt LaFleur seemingly wants to stick with the status quo after deciding to go with Maurice Drayton as his new man. The Packers’ kick return game this past season was unbearably bad, and the kickoff coverage team was even worse.

The Packers came within inches of finally reaching another Super Bowl, and for a variety of reasons, didn’t. LaFleur and Nathaniel Hackett are entering their third season in charge of this offense. Eventually defenses may begin to catch up. Other units have to pick up the slack.