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Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst sounded genuinely surprised about the return of offensive lineman Cole Madison, who missed the entirety of his first professional season while dealing with a personal issue away from football.

“It was great to see Cole back in the building just doing some football things again. That was a really, really pleasant surprise,” Gutekunst said Monday.

There were times last season when Gutekunst and the Packers weren’t sure Madison would ever play the game again. But he reported to the start of the Packers offseason program earlier this month, beginning his transition back into football.

Gutekunst couldn’t hide his excitement about returning a potential contributor on the offensive line.

“We’re excited to see what he can do for us because he had a really good offseason last year before everything transpired. Very optimistic,” Gutekunst said.

Gutekunst said Madison reported to the Packers’ offseason workout program in “great shape” and said he’ll have “no limitations” as he prepares for the 2019 season.

“He looks like the 6-5, 300-pounder that we drafted,” Gutekunst said. “Very optimistic, to see him progress this year.”

The Packers took Madison in the fifth round of last year’s draft. He participated in the offseason workout program as a rookie but then didn’t report to training camp in late July. He was away from the team the entire 2018 season.

A year away from football may require a transition period early on, but Gutekunst likes the way Madison fits into Matt LaFleur’s new offensive scheme.

In fact, he might be a better fit in the zone-blocking scheme being installed by LaFleur and new offensive line coach Adam Stenavich, who both liked Madison coming out of Washington State in 2018.

“He actually fits this scheme as much if not more than last year,” Gutekunst said. “I know Matt in Tennessee, he was very much a fit for them. Those guys in San Francisco with Adam Stenavich, he was very much a fit for them. He’s absolutely a fit for what we’re trying to do.”

Madison played right tackle at Washington State, but he’ll likely get opportunities to compete for a spot at guard in 2019.