Packers News, 1/17: Accountability should be the Packers’ team message in 2025

Accountability is not a word that was thrown around a whole lot this week during the press conferences from Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst, but it’s the theme that was there throughout both men’s comments. It’s also something that LaFleur is practicing with one of his big early decisions on his coaching staff.

Gutekunst spoke on Thursday and discussed some areas of concern that he has as he looks for his team to take the next step and truly be consistent, serious Super Bowl contenders. Go ahead and read the following quote from the GM and try not to think of accountability as the message being delivered between the lines:

The thing that’s been on my mind as we concluded this season is we need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency. We’ve got a bunch of good guys in that locker room, we’ve got a bunch of talented guys in that locker room, and I think it’s time we started competing for championships, right? I think they’re ready. I think they are wired right. I think that group is the kind of guys that can do that. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to go do it.

Accountability starts at the top. LaFleur has always preached it and practiced it, taking the blame for issues when things don’t go right. But he’s also practicing it with his assistants; it’s why Jason Rebrovich has been let go after the defensive line had an extremely disappointing season.

That decision came down on Thursday after Gutekunst spoke, but it’s also easy to find a throughline from his comments to the firing: “I think we didn’t grow into that consistent front like we had hoped. But there were times that we showed it, so I know it’s capable.” That certainly sounds like someone who knows a coaching change is needed for that unit to improve, and you can bet that he and LaFleur were on the same page.

Even tight end Tucker Kraft preached accountability without saying that word out loud, saying that “as a team, we need to wake up.” Preaching and practicing that concept must continue through the offseason and training camp, and it must come from within the locker room as well, where Kraft is a good candidate to take over as a vocal leader.

Let’s look at more from Gutey’s presser and a few other media items before we switch on the TVs on Saturday and watch some more playoff football.

5 things learned from Packers GM Brian Gutekunst | Packers.com

Our Justis Mosqueda broke down Gutey's presser as well, but everyone sees things a bit differently; here's another look at some big takeaways.

Ranking Packers 2025 free agents by re-sign priority | Packers Wire

It's not hyperbole to say that a kicker is the team's most important player to re-sign in free agency this year.

2024 NFL All-Rookie team: Daniels, Nabers, Bowers, Verse - ESPN

Edgerrin Cooper (no surprise) and Evan Williams (perhaps a mild surprise) make this analyst's roundup of the top lineup of rookies in 2024.

PFF Picks Packers’ Most Improved Player | SI.com

Zach Tom had a rough go in the Wild Card game, but outside of that he was one of the steadiest blockers in the NFL.

UnitedHealth CEO says U.S. health system 'needs to function better' | NBC News

Was he dressed in a hot dog suit while he said this?

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