The wait is over. The Packers have reportedly hired Director of Player Personnel Brian Gutekunst as their new General Manager, replacing Ted Thompson.

Packers are hiring Brian Gutekunst as their GM, as @McClain_on_NFL said. A 5-year deal for Gutekunst.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 7, 2018 

Brian Gutekunst was one of the three internal favorites for the job, which also included Eliot Wolf and Russ Ball. Gutekunst has been with the organization as a scout since 1999 and recently promoted to Director of Player Personnel in 2016.

Analysis

Gutekunst is one of the more highly respected scouts around the league, and is viewed as a John Schneider type. He was reportedly the a favorite to get the 49ers job last season before they hired John Lynch. He also was scheduled to interview for the open Texans GM position until he accepted the job with Green Bay.

Obviously the grade on the hire is TBD, as it remains to be seen how this will affect their aggressiveness in free agency. But if he is truly a John Schneider type, it means great things are up for the Packers.

Next up for Green Bay is figuring out a way to keep Eliot Wolf within the organization, and where this leaves them with fellow candidate Russ Ball.

What are your thoughts on the Packers hiring Brian Gutekunst as their GM? Let’s start a conversation on Twitter @thomas_mooney1, @AFewGoodMics