Packers GM on college football season, contingency plans

As rumors swirl regarding the potential cancellation or postponement of the 2020 college football season, NFL teams are having to plan for contingencies when it comes to next offseason.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst says his team is already working through those plans, even if the 2021 NFL Draft happens without another year of film upon which to evaluate this year’s class (via Olivia Reiner of the Journal-Sentinel):

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said that he and his scouts have "had some contingency plans" if college football gets canceled or delayed until the spring.

"There's gonna be a draft. We're gonna have to acquire players. We're just gonna have to do it a few different ways."

— Olivia Reiner (@ReinerOlivia) August 10, 2020

While the NFL is sure to have a draft at some point next year, a spring college football season could cause the league to consider moving the draft back to later in the offseason. Events like the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine could also be impacted, as teams try to get all of the information they’re accustomed to having on draft-eligible prospects.

For now, the pro ranks are still in wait-and-see mode, but clearly, teams are already making plans for what happens if those things have to change.