It took long enough, but Brian Gutekunst may have finally learned the lesson Green Bay Packers fans have been screaming about for years. It's time to get serious about the cornerback position.
We've watched the Packers pass on Christian Gonzalez and Cooper DeJean and Kamari Lassiter. They missed on Quinyon Mitchell after he fell into a comfortable trade-up range. Through it all, Gutekunst was adamant that the Packers had enough talent at cornerback.
Not anymore, it seems. On the eve of the 2026 NFL Draft, Gutekunst admitted that the Packers need to add talent at cornerback.
"We are going to add numbers there," Gutekunst told reporters.
Brian Gutekunst is finally poised to solve the Packers' cornerback problem
Gutekunst did also speak highly of the cornerbacks already on the roster, including free-agent addition Benjamin St-Juste. It's true that even beyond the starters, the Packers must address their paper-thin depth at the position. The cupboard is bare once you get beyond Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, and St-Juste.
But for the Packers to reach their lofty ambitions in the playoffs, they must get serious about the cornerback position.
Even without a first-round pick, the Packers will have opportunities. It's a deep cornerback class.
Whether it's a dream target like Chris Johnson surprisingly falling to No. 52 overall, the Packers trading up, or even waiting until Round 3, they will have options.
Based on the lack of depth at corner, along with Gutekunst's comments, it won't be surprising if he doubles down at the position. It's not unprecedented for Gutey to triple down at a position of need in the NFL Draft.
Only time will tell whether his definition of "going to add numbers there" means drafting a cornerback early. He hasn't used a top-100 pick at the position since selecting Eric Stokes 29th overall in 2021. Since then, the Packers have picked Valentine (Round 7, 2023), Kalen King (Round 7, 2024), and Micah Robinson (Round 7, 2025). Neither King nor Robinson is on the current roster.
Gutekunst signed Nixon, Nate Hobbs, and now St-Juste in free agency. But that's it. That's the entire investment in the cornerback room.
Signing Hobbs was the biggest free-agency splash, and he only lasted one year. The Packers signed Nixon primarily for special teams, while St-Juste was a bargain addition after playing well in a backup role for the Los Angeles Chargers.
It's refreshing to hear Gutekunst openly admit they will "add numbers" at cornerback. It's about time.
Hopefully he isn't just talking about a couple of Day 3 picks for depth. For the Packers to take the step forward they need to, it requires leveling up at cornerback early in the draft.
Your move, Gutey.
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