Chad Brinker enters his 13th season with the Packers and second as personnel/football administration executive. He was promoted to his current position on Jan. 22, 2021, after spending three seasons as assistant director of pro scouting/salary cap analyst. Brinker originally came to Green Bay as a scouting assistant in January 2010 before spending six seasons (2012-17) as a pro scout.
In his current role, Brinker helps direct the Packers' pro personnel department, which develops and executes the team's strategy for unrestricted free agency and the undrafted free agent process while also conducting year-round analysis of talent on other NFL rosters. His scope of work also includes scouting future opponents, managing free-agent visits and tryouts and monitoring NFL transactions.
Brinker also works with Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst and Executive Vice President/Director of Football Operations Russ Ball to incorporate long-range planning processes in areas such as player contract research and negotiation, salary-cap administration, roster management and the day-to-day operations of the player personnel department.
Prior to his current role, Brinker served under former GM Ted Thompson for eight seasons. In addition to his pro scouting duties, Brinker was also responsible for making 10-15 college visits each fall and attending college all-star games and pro days to evaluate draft-eligible prospects.
The 42-year-old Brinker entered the NFL in 2003 as an undrafted free-agent running back with the New York Jets. He holds two degrees, a bachelor's degree in specialized studies and a master's degree in sports administration, from Ohio University, where he was a two-time All-Mid-American Conference selection at running back and competed for the Bobcats' track team. Brinker also graduated with an executive MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management in July 2021.
Brinker began his corporate business career working for two Fortune 100 companies in the pharmaceutical and medical-device industries. A native of Martins Ferry, Ohio, Brinker resides in Green Bay with his wife and their three daughters.
