Packers Promote Longtime Scouts After Jon-Eric Sullivan’s Exit

Green Bay Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst knew this moment was coming. When longtime Packers executive Jon-Eric Sullivan left earlier this year to become the new general manager of the Miami Dolphins, it marked the end of one of the NFL’s longest-running front-office partnerships. It also created a massive opening inside Green Bay’s personnel department.

Now the Packers are officially reshaping their scouting and executive structure with a wave of promotions built almost entirely from within. And if Gutekunst’s comments are any indication, the organization believes it is more than prepared for the transition.

Brian Gutekunst Joked the Packers Lost “Nothing”

Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

During offseason media sessions, Gutekunst was asked what the Packers were losing with Sullivan’s departure. After pausing briefly, the longtime GM smirked and answered: “Nothing.” The response got laughs because everyone in the room understood the reality. Sullivan had spent two decades working alongside Gutekunst in Green Bay and was widely viewed as one of the organization’s most respected personnel minds.

Gutekunst’s joke also reflected the confidence the team has in the structure they’ve quietly built behind the scenes. “In my mind, over the last two, three years, I kind of expected this to happen,” Gutekunst later explained. “So, we were kind of preparing behind the scenes for it to happen.” That preparation became official on Tuesday when the Packers announced a major series of internal promotions throughout the personnel department.

Milt Hendrickson Replaces Jon-Eric Sullivan

The biggest move involves Milt Hendrickson, who was promoted to vice president of player personnel, replacing Sullivan directly. Hendrickson has deep roots inside both the Packers and the broader NFL scouting world.

A Wisconsin native and former Pecatonica High School standout, Hendrickson originally worked as a Packers training camp intern before spending years with the Baltimore Ravens scouting department. Gutekunst later brought him back to Green Bay in 2019. His promotion continues a familiar Packers philosophy: develop executives internally for years before handing them major responsibility.

Packers Elevate Several Veteran Personnel Executives

Green Bay didn’t stop with Hendrickson. The organization promoted nearly every major layer of the personnel department as part of the restructuring effort. Among the most significant moves:

• John Wojciechowski becomes director of football operations.
• Richmond Williams moves into the role of director of player personnel.
• Lee Gissendaner adds director of pro scouting responsibilities.
• Matt Malaspina was promoted to senior player personnel executive.
• Pat Moore now serves as director of college scouting.
• Sam Seale becomes a senior national scout.
• Luke Benuska was elevated to a national scout.
• Mike Owen becomes assistant director of pro scouting.

Collectively, the group represents almost 200 years of NFL scouting experience. That continuity matters because the personnel department has quietly become one of the league’s most stable talent pipelines.

The Packers’ Front Office Tree Keeps Growing

The Packers have long been known for developing coaching and scouting talent internally, and Sullivan’s departure continues that trend. Before leaving for Miami, Sullivan spent years climbing through Green Bay’s scouting ranks while working closely with Gutekunst.

Now he’ll reunite with former Packers DC Jeff Hafley, who joined the Dolphins organization as head coach after leaving Green Bay. That growing executive tree reflects how respected Green Bay’s evaluation process has become leaguewide. Even as critics debate some of Green Bay’s draft decisions in recent years, rival teams continue aggressively pursuing Packers personnel executives whenever openings appear.

Why Continuity Matters For Green Bay

Unlike some NFL organizations that overhaul front offices every few years, the Packers traditionally prioritize long-term stability. Many of the newly promoted executives have spent over a decade inside the building. Several have been with the franchise for more than 20 years.

That institutional knowledge becomes especially important in Green Bay’s scouting operation, where collaboration and consistency often outweigh flashy front-office shakeups. It also reinforces how Gutekunst prefers operating. Rather than chasing outside names, the team continues rewarding executives already familiar with the organization’s draft philosophy, player evaluation systems, and locker-room culture.

Green Bay’s Personnel Department Remains One Of the NFL’s Most Experienced

The numbers alone are staggering. The nine promoted staffers combine for 144 years with the Packers organization and 198 years of NFL scouting experience overall. That kind of continuity is increasingly rare in modern professional sports.

Front offices across the NFL frequently experience rapid turnover, especially after coaching changes or disappointing seasons. Green Bay continues doing the opposite. The Packers are betting that experience, familiarity, and internal development remain their competitive advantage. Judging by Gutekunst’s confidence, they believe Sullivan’s departure won’t slow them down anytime soon.

FAQ

Who replaced Jon-Eric Sullivan with the Packers?

Milt Hendrickson was promoted to vice president of player personnel after Sullivan left for the Miami Dolphins.

Why did Jon-Eric Sullivan leave?

Sullivan left Green Bay to become the general manager of the Miami Dolphins.

Who did the Packers promote in their front office?

The team promoted several longtime executives and scouts, including Hendrickson, Richmond Williams, Matt Malaspina, and Pat Moore.

How experienced is the scouting department?

The promoted staffers combine for nearly 200 years of NFL scouting experience.

Who is Brian Gutekunst?

Brian Gutekunst is the general manager of the Green Bay Packers and has held the role since 2018.