GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Packers have a young roster with their average player age at just under 25. It’s the NFL’s youngest roster since 2017. Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst said that wasn’t by design.
“I don't know if it was intentional to be young,” said Gutekunst. “I think our intention was to be athletic, fast and have a really competitive camp so that the best guys rose to the top. I think that's what we accomplished, but it wasn't just to be young.”
The Packers not only kept 11 of this year’s 13 draft picks, but they also maintained their tradition of hanging on to undrafted free agents.
Three players fit that category: Running back Emanuel Wilson, wide receiver Malik Heath and linebacker Brenton Cox.
“The one thing that I do appreciate, working for the Green Bay Packers is that, you're going to get a real opportunity,” said Gutekunst. “You’re going to have an opportunity. Just because someone was drafted ahead of you, or may have been here for the previous years, doesn't mean you're not going to get an opportunity to make the squad. We don't have a traditional owner, that may have something to do with it, as well. So, maybe we're able to make those decisions a little easier.”
Bottom line, with such a young squad, what are realistic expectations for the Packers this season?
“Sometimes youth can be a benefit,” said Gutekunst. “It's a young man's game and you need the legs, you need the speed. Certainly, there's an experience factor these guys are going to have to go through. For me, the expectation is to go out and try to win every game that we play.”
Earlier Wednesday, ESPN reported that the Packers and Colts had trade talks involving former Badgers running back Jonathan Taylor.
“Let's get the checklist out,” joked Gutekunst. “First of all, I can't talk about players on other teams. We try to be in every conversation. Anytime we have good players available to us, we'd like to make the Green Bay Packers better, and we'll look at those opportunities.”
Of the Packers current running backs, Gutekunst said Aaron Jones is “the heart and soul of this team” and that A.J. Dillon was going to be on the Packers in any scenario.