The NFL Scouting Combine is just as much about poking, prodding, questioning the top college prospects seeking jobs as professional football players as it is a week for General Managers and agents to meet face to face and get real vibes on veteran players and clients about to hit the free agent market or be in line for second contracts. It’s a big week at Lucas Oil Stadium and the downtown Indianapolis Convention Center.
Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst held court not once but twice Tuesday morning. He met with local beat writers, a sizeable collection I might add for nearly 45 minutes before taking to the podium for a general press conference that lasted about 15 minutes.
The smaller chat was probably more meaty as Gutekunst said he’s still in no hurry to make a decision on David Bakhtiari. More medical progress will be watched closely before the league’s calendar year and free agency kicks in next month. Gutekunst said a lesson learned from Ted Thompson is “don’t make a decision ’till you have to.” He doesn’t have to yet. Gutekunst plans to visit with Jordan Love’s agent this week. Come May, another big decision looms on a mega-contract extension. A nice problem to have compared to many other teams in the NFL who are scrambling to determine which quarterback prospect coming out will be the next big thing.
The first question posed at the press conference was about the difficulty of getting the most difficult position right, something the Packers can say they’ve done for 32 years and apparently with Love, counting.
The NFL Salary Cap for 2024 has been established at 255 million dollars, up 31 million from last season, a 13.6% climb. Gutekunst said it will give the team “more breathing room” but even without the big spike, they planned to be active in free agency and with their own core players in line for new or restructured deals. (Rashan Gary had his 4 year, 96 million dollar extension signed last October, restructured this week according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, creating 4.78 million dollars in cap space).
Gutekunst isn’t concerned some prospects are begging off the cognitive testing this week, a mental exercise that replaced the Wonderlic test. If they find a player they like, it can be administered later or skipped altogether, they just want to make sure every resource to help a player in any way is available.
As for the 2024 crop? Gutekunst said it’s older and wiser thanks to the pandemic and extra years of eligibility.
The plan is being put in place for the 25th pick in the first round of the April draft.
The Packers announced today ticket prices are going to be going up again in 2024. The per game ticket prices will increase from $4.00 to $10.00 depending on location. The pre-season price is still tiered below regular season amounts. This will be the first year of the expanded 17 game schedule where there will be 9 home games. The Green package will continue with it’s traditional six games with Gold package season ticket holders picking up a third regular season contest. President Mark Murphy said even with the increase, the Packers still slightly below the average cost of tickets league wide.
A very sad note to finish on. Cherry Starr has passed away. The first lady of the Glory Years and beyond was the Auburn sweetheart Bart Starr eloped with, brought to Green Bay and raised a family I came to know very well, growing up just blocks away from. Her southern charm was genuine, a heart too big for her petite frame, she always left you with a smile. She had to bury a son tragically, lost her husband not long ago and now Cherry has passed at the age of 89. My heart aches for Bart Starr Jr, a good friend and a noble heir to a Packer legendary family.
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