Brian Gutekunst Reportedly to Be Hired as Packers GM to Replace Ted Thompson

The Green Bay Packers reportedly are hiring Brian Gutekunst as their new general manager, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, after Ted Thompson was moved to an advisory role with the team.

Rapoport added that Gutekunst's deal is for five years. Gutekunst previously served as Green Bay director of player personnel.

"New Packers GM Brian Gutekunst is as respected as it gets in NFL scouting circles," Albert Breer of The MMQB tweeted. "Also blew the Niners away in his GM interview there last year."

Breer added that Gutekunst "gets full control over Green Bay's roster" and will report to president Mark Murphy, despite prior reports that Gutekunst would split general manager duties with vice president of football administration Russ Ball.

It was believed that Gutekunst, Ball and director of football operations Eliot Wolf were all in the running for Green Bay's general manager gig after Thompson was moved to his new role as senior adviser to football operations. But "Gutekunst is the most well-rounded scout in the personnel department and knocked it out of the park in his interview," according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.

That doesn't mean Green Bay's front office shakeup is over, however. Pelissero noted that if "Wolf becomes available, bet on him being in demand." The team is also undergoing turnover on the coaching staff, with both the offensive and defensive coordinator positions open among other vacancies.

As for the decision to end Thompson's tenure as general manager, Murphy told reporters the switch allowed Thompson to fill a role he loves.

"[Thompson] is a scout at heart," Murphy said, per Brian Jones of 247Sports. "He loves it. It's what he loves to do. That's kind of what moved us to [the senior adviser] role."

He added that the decision was his alone.

"There's no truth to the story that I was directed by the board to make a change," Murphy said. "Our board doesn't operate that way. ... It was my decision to move the way we have, and this is going to be my hire. I keep our executive committee [apprised]."