Packers GM describes 'pretty boring' behind-the-scenes process during NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft will be no different than all the other drafts Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has been involved in.

It's simply just a culmination of a ton of work that happened previously by scouts and player evaluations. All the hard stuff has come and gone. On Thursday, when the first round kicks off, Gutekunst and his team will simply be putting a bow on the process.

“Most of this work’s, it’s all been done, so the decision is fairly clear when you’re on the clock,” Gutekunst recently told the media regarding his team's draft process, via Sports Illustrated. “I think the things that might ramp your heart rate up a little bit are just if you’re involved in some trade talks or opportunities to move backwards or those kinds of things, because there’s a timeframe to it. But I think our group has been together for a while now and, so we have a pretty good way we work together. So, I think it’s pretty boring, to be honest with you.”

If that's not the attitude you want from your general manager, what else could be?

That's preparation talking.

You wouldn't want your airplane pilot to be expecting an "exciting" ride on your next flight, nor would you want your surgeon to be anticipating swerves and twists on your upcoming surgery.

It's nowhere near the same level of gravity, but the future of the Green Bay Packers is at stake each and every single draft, so it's important to have someone with a cool hand and calm demeanor running the show.

If even to the Packers' detriment at times, Gutekunst is exactly that. He's calculating and sometimes even too cold of an evaluator — just ask Aaron Rodgers.

While Gutekunst isn't producing any fireworks he can't handle this weekend, it is worth noting that he's looking forward to the opportunity to add to his roster.

“It’s always interesting how it falls. You never really can predict it,” he explained. “The opportunity to make your football team better is always exciting. And this is an exciting time of year. We got our players back in the building last week and the energy just ramps of tremendously when those guys are in the building — particularly our group that just really likes to be around each other. So, it’s just an exciting time probably for all 32 teams but, certainly, for us.”