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Gutekunst holds a league-high 11 draft picks
and wants to add to his playoff roster behind Love, who is first
eligible for a contract extension on May 3, one year after his
most recent pact with the Packers.
"We believe in that process very, very much," Gutekunst said.
"Whether it goes back to Ron (Wolf) and Ted (Thompson), all the
people who have left here and had success other places. ... We
believe in that. The draft is the lifeblood of this
organization."
Sean Clifford currently slots at Love's backup, but the 2023
fifth-round pick can expect some company on the depth chart.
"Getting back to drafting multiple quarterbacks is something
that I've wanted to do," Gutekunst said.
Love, a first-round pick in 2020, overcame a shaky debut as the
starter for the Packers to deliver an emphatic response to
questions about his status as the heir to Aaron Rodgers. He
finished second in the NFL with 32 touchdown passes in the
regular season.
Love's record-setting showing at Dallas in the Packers'
wild-card win and another strong showing on the road at San
Francisco the following week, despite two interceptions,
convinced Gutekunst and the scouting staff he was deserving of
the mantle. Love played the 2023 season on a modified contract
that replaced the fifth-year team option.
Last month at the owner's meetings, Gutekunst confirmed
preliminary negotiations were underway with Love, 25, targeting
a long-term agreement.
"We want to make sure we do it the right way," he said. "We've
started, but it's not something that's going to go quickly, I
don't think. It'll take some time."
--Field Level Media
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