If Brian Gutekunst means what he says, the Green Bay Packers are taking an unnecessary gamble.
While it's lying season in the NFL, it's worth paying close attention when Gutekunst speaks. He might not reveal the Packers' top draft secrets, but he generally delivers honest answers on the hottest topics.
Gutekunst never denied the Jaire Alexander trade rumors. While he didn't outright state his intentions, he subtly made Alexander's status clear.
A year ago, Gutekunst expressed confidence in the Packers' cornerback room despite most analysts and fans believing it would be one of the team's top draft needs. We hoped it was a smokescreen, but Gutekunst was telling the truth, and he backed up his statement by passing on the cornerback position until selecting Kalen King late in the seventh round.
Gutekunst was wrong. Alexander couldn't stay healthy, and Eric Stokes struggled. Stokes is one of three cornerbacks to leave this offseason, and Alexander will inevitably become the fourth. The Packers had to target the position in free agency by signing Nate Hobbs, and their work is far from over. Packers fans could've told Gutekunst that a year ago.
Unfortunately, history might be repeating itself for the wrong reasons.
Packers fans are worried Brian Gutekunst is about to repeat an inexcusable error
We hoped Gutekunst's comments about the cornerback room were a smokescreen last offseason. They weren't. It raises alarm bells about his recent take on the Packers' pass rush.
"We can do everything we need to do from the players we have on our roster right now," Gutekunst said at the NFL league meeting. "I think there's a significant amount of improvement from those guys, not only in Year 2 in the scheme, but individually."
Again, it's lying season. Maybe Gutekunst is saying the right things but plans to attack the pass rush heavily later this month. But we thought the same thing when Gutey spoke highly of the cornerback room a year ago despite the glaring need everyone could see.
The Packers' offseason work so far could, unfortunately, back up what he said.
Gutekunst tends to double down at positions of need. Last year, he fixed the safety position by signing a free agent (Xavier McKinney) and spending draft capital (Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, and Kitan Oladapo). He did the same at running back with Josh Jacobs in free agency and MarShawn Lloyd in the draft. That's how Gutekunst operates.
Last month, Gutekunst signed cornerback Hobbs, guard Aaron Banks, and wide receiver Mecole Hardman, addressing three of the team's biggest needs. He did nothing to address the pass rush.
Gutekunst believes they already have the talent, and the Packers' decision to hire a new defensive line coach may back that up. Based on the team's actions and Gutekunst's comments, it sure sounds like they believe hiring DeMarcus Covington is enough to help Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness become key contributors.
It's a risky strategy. Van Ness hasn't shown enough in his first two seasons to expect him to reach the next level. The former first-rounder has yet to start a game for Green Bay, has seven sacks in two years, and lost significant snaps to Brenton Cox, who the Packers signed as an undrafted free agent shortly after selecting Van Ness with the 13th overall pick.
Is it fair to believe Van Ness can make a third-year jump? Sure. But to expect it? The Packers are playing with fire if they take that mindset.
Covington could elevate the current players on the roster, but the Packers need to add another difference-maker on the edge.
Perhaps that's Gutekunst's plan, and his recent comments were nothing more than a smokescreen. However, based on the team's inactivity at the position in free agency and Gutekunst's honesty at cornerback a year ago, Packers fans understandably have concerns that history will repeat itself.