Troy from Westminster, CO

Wait...the Packers scrapped the "G" on the helmets?

And once again we're off, so we might as well get going.

Markus from Aurora, CO

Are you guys ready for the next road trip, this time to 5280?

I'm not looking forward to getting home at 4 a.m. after the game, but so it goes.

Andrew from Simi Valley, CA

For a preseason game with a late kickoff time, would the team ever consider staying in the hotel after the game and flying home the next day?

The added hotel expense would not be worth it, and as much as I dislike red-eye flights, spending more time away from home is never my preference.

Phillip from Wonder Lake, IL

I know the preseason doesn't count, but it would have been nice for a win?

Why?

Barton from Mexico

It was Dec. 14, a little over nine months ago, when the Packers were winning 23-14 in Denver in the third quarter. Josh Jacobs had a 40-yard TD run and an incredible TD catch in the corner of the end zone. But, injuries to Micah Parsons, Christian Watson, Zach Bako-Bewele (then known as Zach Tom) and Evan Williams derailed their dream of getting to 10-3-1 and began a four-game losing streak. If you're the HC, do you play your starters in Denver this Friday night so they can "exorcise their demons"?

There are no demons a preseason game can exorcise. None. Zilch. Zero. Zip. If LaFleur wants to play the starters some in Denver, it won't be for that reason. Won't even cross his mind.

Scott from Noblesville, IN

Though I realize the joint practices include some "two-minute," possibly even "four-minute" opportunities for both sides of the ball, and even some pressured FG situations, am I the only one who thinks saving then playing the starters for two-minute situations would be a great test during preseason games?

Not if the opponent isn't playing its starters in those same spots. Jordan Love running a two-minute drill against Denver's second-string defense won't mean a hill o'beans.

Chad from Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Loved the question about one preseason play that helped a player make a team. I can't think of the opponent, but I specifically remember in 1999, Mike McKenzie violently hit a receiver along the sideline, breaking up the catch. For years, that has been in my memory as the play that got him on the team.

Well, McKenzie was a third-round pick, so he was making the team regardless, but it quickly vaulted him to the top of that draft class and was a sign of the player he'd become.

Keith from Lincoln, IL

Have you ever gotten a sense from players or coaches whether they prefer open (to the public) or closed practices? I'm sure there are pluses and minuses to each for them.

The crowd can bring juice and more physical intensity to practice. The absence of a crowd can enhance mental focus. You said it, pluses and minuses.

Josh from Nicaragua

While Trey Smack appears to have secured his job, is it possible that another performance like last week this Friday may spell doom for another Packer who has yet to play a down? As Cam Achord so eloquently stated, the long snapper is a critical component in the FG process, so it may be difficult to hand the job back over to Matt Orzech when your rookie kicker seems to have found his stride.

There's been no indication the Packers are planning to move on from Orzech.

Scott from Seattle, WA

Greetings II. Do kickers coming out of college have any advantage to landing kickoffs in the landing zone over veteran kickers? Considering new kickers are simply learning the process over veterans having to readjust their process.

No matter how veteran the kicker, it shouldn't be that difficult an adjustment for a professional.

Rachael from Corsicana, TX

Who is one under-the-radar Packers player you think fans should be paying more attention to this season?

If he makes the team, Jonathan Ford. The behemoth looks like he's figuring out how to use that 6-5, 338-pound frame to its fullest. I don't know if he'll ever be a high-impact interior pass rusher, but as a run stuffer, especially in short-yardage and goal-line situations, he could really be an asset. The only reason I question his making the 53 is how many D-tackles have stood out at different times during camp.

Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

Pick one. A true breakout season from one of Brenton Cox Jr., Barryn Sorrell or Collin Oliver? Or some combination of the three providing the same production?

I'll say Cox or Sorrell because both are going to be counted on heavily until Parsons returns, more so than Oliver, who's likely a situational sub. But which of those two? No preference.

Rose from Fitchburg, WI

Re: John Williams playing tackle and center, J.C. Tretter played both for the Packers. There was a year where the true LT went down and they tried different subs. We had two good centers that year, Tretter and Corey Linsley, so they surprisingly tried Tretter. He was the only guy who looked decent at LT during that stretch. Agree with Mike that intelligence is an asset on offensive line, maybe especially at center and tackle.

And Tretter was an Ivy League grad (Cornell), so there you go.

Jim from Austin, TX

We often hear a player didn't play well or had an off year because he was playing injured. With the high level of competition in the NFL, it's surprising that an injured starter playing noticeably below his best, is still better than the healthy backup. Please advise.

I wouldn't say that's the case across the board, but upper echelon NFL players are more than just a cut above anyone backing them up.

Wayne from Ashland, VA

The pass defense is dominated by zone coverage which can be picked apart. Why not get personnel which can play man coverage well and use zone sparingly?

Defense in this league is predicated on throwing schematic change-ups, keeping the opponent off-balance, and generating turnovers. So teams mix their coverages all the time, pick their spots with each, and hope the right pass rush combined with the right coverage (which hopefully has confused the QB at the line or at least made him pause a second to decipher) can create a turnover. Zone allows for vision on the QB, man doesn't, so it's a lot harder to get interceptions in man. But yes, zones are always vulnerable to the receivers finding the right holes if the pass protection holds up. That's the yin and yang of the game.

William from Newburgh, IN

In naming our practice facilities, could it have been one great offensive player, one great defensive player, and one great two-way player? Just saying…

Interesting thought, but Hutson played defense as well.

Matt from Omaha, NE

I have sort of followed Tyrod Taylor's career even before he became a Packer. It is always cool to see a guy you like eventually end up in Green Bay. Have there been any players that you covered or enjoyed watching on other teams who eventually signed or were traded to Green Bay? If so, who?

Javon Hargrave certainly qualifies for me. I remember how bullish Vic was on him in that draft.

Tucker from Belton, TX

Speaking of Chris Banjo, I played against him in high school. He was high school teammates with George Iloka (also a safety), who started for the Bengals for a while. Both great guys, and quite a high school safety tandem.

I'll say. I really liked Banjo. Did a sit-down interview for a Yearbook feature once and enjoyed getting to know him a little.

Jaime from Nevis, MN

Any news on Josh Jacobs?

He returned to practice, individual drills only, from his groin injury. No other updates.

Al from Green Bay, WI

We hear all the time about the need for players to "stack success." Who is a player or two that has had success in Pittsburg and in practice that you're looking for more stacking in Denver?

Smack and McCord are at the top of the list.

Ben from Cripple Creek, CO

Fun fact – ATMRWCBW – the longest FG made in PIT was by Boswell, Oct. 2, 2022, for 59 yards, just one longer.

Thanks for the knowledge.

Jon from St. Louis, MO

Is at Denver the Packers' worst matchup? Green Bay is 1-8 all time there, with the only win in 2007 OT. Recent losses include 2025 (blew a nine-point lead and lost Parsons, Bako-Bewele, and Watson), 2023 (19-17 with a missed Carlson FG), and 2015 (crushed 29-10 as Rodgers threw for just 77 yards).

Even the preseason game there two years ago was 27-2. I think Denver takes a back seat only to Buffalo in terms of Packers futility.

Patrick from Green Bay, WI

Good day gentlemen. I find it concerning that Gutey hasn't done more to elevate the TE room. With Tucker Kraft coming off an injury and Luke Musgrave seemingly regressing and now injured himself, is it just me or is this not a glaring position of need to be upgraded given how important it is to this style of offense? I can't imagine Gutey is OK with this group as is going into the season.

As Wes pointed out, they're working through some injury information on a couple of guys first. If necessary, a veteran acquisition at cut-down time isn't out of the question. I'm sure the personnel department has a contingency plan.

Nik from Moore, SC

Regarding the final 53, is it better to try and sneak an "unknown rookie" through cuts or a vet that has spent most of his time on the PS/bottom of roster? It looks like that decision will have to be made this year at interior DL. I tend to think a "career PS guy" would be easier to get through and put back on PS … but what do I know?

It depends on factors that are difficult for us to gauge. Gutey explained in his latest media session, regarding potentially losing players to waiver claims, that other teams only have the preseason film and their pre-draft reports to go on, while the Packers have all the practice film, meeting interactions, and a whole lot more. They basically have to ask themselves, "If we knew only what they know about this player, would we put in a claim?" Lots of guesswork and supposition. It's not an exact science.

Tom from Bend, OR

Reading Tucker's comments leads me to believe he could have played in any era of football. He would be a great pick for Netflix's "Receivers."

I'm sure he would be, but that type of commitment involves a rather substantial invasion of privacy by both the player and club that would be very out of the norm relative to how business is conducted here.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Mike, what separated Seattle from the rest of the NFL last year? Did they have the best overall roster? Best collection of difference makers? Best performance from the HC and his staff? Just want to perseverate on the right things during preseason.

When I analyze Seattle's Super Bowl season from afar, I emphasize three things (go figure): 1) the ability to incorporate a new QB quickly and seamlessly, and build and offense suited to his strengths, 2) several recent draft picks taking their games to new levels (Emmanwori, Zabel, Murphy, Witherspoon, JSN), and 3) good health. There's a lot of luck with No. 3, which then brings to mind one of the more fortunate bounces and replay reviews that altered the course of the NFC playoff seeding. So I guess that's four things.

Eric from Wrightstown, WI

Great article on Jager Burton. His quote regarding chasing ghosts and consistency brought to mind Coach Lombardi's famous words, "Gentlemen, we will chase perfection, and we will chase it relentlessly, knowing all the while we can never attain it. But along the way, we shall catch excellence." But then, I presume this attitude is a prerequisite for NFL-caliber players. Is Lombardi's quote posted anywhere in the team facility?

Not that I know of, but I believe there's audio of it in the Packers Hall of Fame.

Dylan from Chicago, IL

Think there will be any surprises making the Week 1 roster?

There always are, but I wonder if there won't be as many this year. Though now I probably just jinxed it.

Bob from Rome, NY

Mike: Like everyone else, I am impressed with the play of John Williams. I think he has "composed" himself well and most likely received a good "score" from the coaching staff. See myself out to the door on the right or left?

Your choice, but don't dawdle.

Ted from Amherst, NY

All this angst about the preseason saddens me. I think there is an "undead" zone after the dead zone. We should take preseason games about as seriously as a zombie movie (with the exception of injuries). If some DB gets beaten by a receiver, we don't even know if that was his guy or he was trying to cover for someone else who missed his assignment. Look for a good play here and there, pick someone to root for, and relax. If you can't do that, I feel sorry for you.

You da man, Ted.

Davy from Watertown, WI

Bushville, Bushwood. Waterford, Watertown. It's all basically the same, right?

2-20, 2-21, whatever it takes. Happy Wednesday.

HAVE A QUESTION?