There’s still the 2025 NFL Draft, of course, and Gutekunst does have a track record of taking high-upside but raw pass-rushers high in the draft.
The problem? His projects haven’t always panned out.
Rashan Gary has been serviceable as a pass-rusher but he’s never notched more than 9.5 sacks in a season. That’s not great for an expensive former No. 12 overall pick.
Lukas Van Ness was selected with the 13th pick in 2023 as a high-upside pass rusher. Through two seasons, he’s notched just seven total sacks.
Gutekunst not going out in free agency and bringing in a pass-rusher has been a bit baffling, but the answer to Green Bay’s problems could actually be on the coaching staff and not so much on the roster.
The Packers fired defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich and hired DeMarcus Covington, who was the New England Patriots defensive coordinator last season.
In a new feature on ESPN detailing Green Bay’s pass-rush needs, reporter Rob Demovsky spoke to a source who suggested that the Packers have high hopes that Covington could be the answer.
“If there’s ability there, he will find it,” said a coach who worked with Covington in New England, according to Demovsky. “I would expect them to make a jump.”
That’s not to say Gutekunst won’t draft a pass-rusher, but it does sound like the Packers are expecting Covington to get the most out of the players Green Bay already has on the roster — namely Gary and Van Ness.
It’s a plan, at least, but will it work? We’ll have to wait and see to find out.