What new Packers president's message means to the future of Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst with the franchise
The Green Bay Packers will have a new leadership soon. On July 15, Ed Policy replaces Mark Murphy after almost two decades and takes over as the franchise's CEO and president. A big part of Policy's new job, and one that Murphy mastered, is choosing and managing great leaders under him.Since 2018, the Packers' front […]
The Green Bay Packers will have a new leadership soon. On July 15, Ed Policy replaces Mark Murphy after almost two decades and takes over as the franchise's CEO and president. A big part of Policy's new job, and one that Murphy mastered, is choosing and managing great leaders under him.
Since 2018, the Packers' front office structure is slightly different. The general manager, the head coach, and the executive vice president all respond directly to the CEO. Now, those roles are respectively executed by Brian Gutekunst, Matt LaFleur, and Russ Ball.
On the football side, Gutekunst and LaFleur are the most active voices. Both are under contract for the next two seasons, and Policy doesn't intend to immediately extend them. At the same time, the new president told local media on Tuesday that he doesn't want lame-duck people in these positions, indicating that extensions after this upcoming season are the most likely scenario.
What it means for the Packers
Ed Policy doesn't want a general manager or a head coach in a contract year because it may lead to a dangerous self-preservation mode. This is not exactly what Policy said, but it's what happens all around the NFL.
"That creates a lot of issues," Policy said according to The Athletic. "I think normally, you have a pretty good idea of where that relationship is going when you have two years left — not always, but normally. But it creates a lot of issues because they also have to hire a staff … generally speaking, I would avoid lame-duck status. It’s oftentimes difficult on everybody involved, but there are certain situations that probably call for it. So I would not say never.”
Gutekunst and LaFleur are widely perceived as top 10 professionals in their respective areas, so it seems just a matter of time before they get new extensions.
“You’ve got three exceptional people doing an exceptional job right now and working well together,” Policy added, talking about Gutekunst, LaFleur, and Ball. “I feel very good about all three of those individuals. I love them. I trust them. I respect them … I have terrific relationships, both working and personal, with them.”
How it can get better
Mark Murphy significantly changed how the Packers operate in 2018, after moving former GM Ted Thompson to an advisory role. The franchise split Thompson's old job description, promoting Brian Gutekunst to general manager and Russ Ball to executive vice president/director of football operations. Mike McCarthy stayed as a head coach for one extra year, responding directly to Murphy, before being fired and replaced by Matt LaFleur.
Policy seems satisfied with how things are at the moment, but he indicated the idea of implementing more regular meetings to improve the communication between all these areas.
Eventually, changing the structure again is not out of the equation.
"We'll do whatever it takes to win football games," Policy explained, via ESPN. "If that means changing the structure, then we'll change the structure. Just like Mark was not wedded to the structure that he inherited when he came in, I would say I'm not wedded to the structure. We'll do whatever is best for the Packers."
Previously, Ted Thompson was above the entire football operation, while Ball and McCarthy responded to the GM.
It's a new era for the Packers, and Ed Policy doesn't want to be just a successor to repeat what Mark Murphy was doing.
For now, that probably means a solid future for Gutekunst and LaFleur to work together to build a consistent winner.
Ed Policy’s leadership era with the Packers now has a start date, and three major challenges come with the job
New president/CEO takes over later this year
