GM Gutekunst: Packers need to 'ramp up our sense of urgency'

Brian Gutekunst isn't satisfied with Green Bay's 11-6 mark this past season. Now the Packers general manager wants to prioritize competing for the sport's ultimate prize.

"I think that as we concluded this season, we need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency," Gutekunst said Thursday. "These opportunities don't come (often). The life of a player in the National Football League is not very long. We've got a bunch of good guys in that locker room. We've got a bunch of talented guys in that locker room. Yeah, I think it's time that we start competing for championships.

"I think they're ready. Like I said, I think they're wired right. I think the group is the kind of guys that can do that. But at the end of the day, you got to go through it. We fell short in some areas."

Green Bay's campaign ended in disappointing fashion following a 22-10 wild-card loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Packers' offense struggled after finishing fifth in the league in total yards (370.8) and eighth in points (27.1) during the regular season.

However, Green Bay's recent free-agent additions provided immediate impact in 2024. Both Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney earned Pro Bowl nods, with McKinney also being named a first-team All-Pro. Gutekunst said the team will once again be aggressive in free agency and during the draft.

The GM specifically addressed the Packers' offense, saying he'd like to see more consistency from the unit as a whole and quarterback Jordan Love specifically. Gutekunst signed the rising star to a four-year, $220-million extension in July 2024.

The executive also said he isn't convinced Green Bay needs a No. 1 wideout, pointing to the potential on the team's depth chart.

"I think we have some of those guys. We don't have just one," Gutekunst said. "I think, historically, if you look at a lot of the (teams), very rarely do teams that have one receiver that's super heavy with targets - that usually doesn't play out well for (the) playoffs and success there."

Center Josh Myers and kicker Brandon McManus are among the Packers slated to become free agents this offseason. Green Bay will also enter the NFL draft with the 23rd overall selection.