Mike from Stevens Point, WI

Regarding all the rumors positing everywhere in social media, a little research is all that's needed to separate the BS from the buckwheat.

I am floored by the sensibleness of this submission. I'm talking like "What the heck is a polar bear doing in Texas?" levels of disbelief here.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Now that the initial 53 is set, will the Packers have enough of the right horses available to best Detroit in Week 1? Will we come out of the gate healthy? Will all their preferred starters be available? What does the starting OL look like Week 1?

There are still a few (foot)balls up in the air, but things are looking up. Xavier McKinney, Jayden Reed, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins and Dontayvion Wicks all practiced Wednesday. We'll obviously get a better idea where things stand once the Packers are required to file injury reports starting next Wednesday, but it's positive to see 49 players on a 53-man roster practicing during this "extra" week.

Jeff from Monticello, WI

Hello II, 21 years and counting! Nazir Stackhouse could be the best one yet if he can live up to stopping the run.

I had a good time talking with Stackhouse on Wednesday. You could feel what this opportunity means to him after everything he's been through (…we'll have more on that in story form in the coming days). But it was neat hearing Stackhouse recount how Matt LaFleur was the one who actually delivered the news to the undrafted rookie he made the team. At the time, Stackhouse was eating breakfast in the cafeteria while talking to his girlfriend. Overwhelmed with emotion, Stackhouse said he had to take a moment to gather himself before going over to the team's focus room to take it all in. Good for Stackhouse. He earned his moment. It'll be fun to see what he adds to this defensive line rotation.

James from Appleton, WI

I feel Stackhouse just bought his ticket on the T.J. Slaton train. It's on the Developmental Line, but will it be an express?

There is no express lane on the developmental railway, particularly when you're dealing with Day 3 draft picks and undrafted rookies. Stackhouse showed promise this summer. His job now is to learn from the veterans in the D-line room and progress – the same way Slaton did as a rookie in 2021 before growing into a starter up front.

Ben from Cripple Creek, CO

In regards to Matt from Fitchburg's comment, the other aspect of the Darian Kinnard trade, in addition to upgrading that depth, probably has to do with some of that depth already being beat up too (i.e. Jacob Monk).

I assumed the Packers would carry at least nine offensive linemen because you need eight active on gameday to dress 48 players. Green Bay was dealt some tough blows on the O-line this summer – Travis Glover is done for the year, John Williams remains on PUP and now Jacob Monk is on IR with designation to return. So, the Packers went shopping for a veteran with some versatility and a few NFL seasons under his belt. Enter Darian Kinnard.

Timothy from Rossville, GA

I am confident in our groups as a whole and in our coaching staff. Although, I am a little miffed at the WR shakeout. Why are we not giving these young WRs who were making catches all preseason a chance over some of our WRs who could not catch a pass in the preseason and who consistently dropped passes all last year? Julian Hicks and Cornelius Johnson should have made this team over at least one of our WRs IMO. Why do you think they are not giving them this chance?

I tip my cap to Hicks and Johnson, but the NFL regular season is an entirely different animal. The defensive backs are bigger, stronger and faster and the defensive calls are more complex. While Hicks and Johnson move on, some talented young wideouts returned to the Packers' practice squad in Mecole Hardman, Isaiah Neyor and Will Sheppard. I'm a big fan of Neyor. You don't find many 6-foot-4, 220-pound receivers who can run 4.4.

Todd from Fort Myers, FL

Why cut both Sean Clifford and Taylor Elgersma?

The Packers haven't carried three quarterbacks on the active roster since 2020 besides signing Clifford to the 53 for the Philadelphia playoff game. They only did that to dress an emergency third QB who doesn't count towards the gameday 48. Now, Green Bay gets a chance to mold a new QB3 behind Jordan Love and Malik Willis. Reportedly, that'll be former Arizona fifth-round pick Clayton Tune, who was taken 10 picks ahead of Clifford in 2023.

John from Stevens Point, WI

Any surprises to you, re: the initial roster? It'll be interesting to see what the roster looks like come January. A GM and his personnel department's job is never done.

Not really. I'm sad to see Kalen King go but you can't keep everyone. I personally enjoyed King in the locker room and professionally he's worked hard to round out his all-around game. I wish him well in Carolina.

Tim from Elmhurst, IL

Love "The Wire" reference. Great show that launched a lot of careers. Have to say biggest surprise in cut-down day was Ballentine. How does the practice squad work now? At one point it seemed like it was for younger players to develop, is there an age restriction for the practice squad?

There no longer are any restrictions on the practice squad, which is why Hardman, Kristian Welch and Arron Mosby are all back. While it made sense for Ballentine to re-sign with Green Bay after Indianapolis cut him, time was not on his side rejoining the Packers so late in the process.

Hank from Centennial, CO

It still surprises me when players as athletically transcendent as Isaiah Simmons appeared to be can't find a way to apply that during real game action. I supported the Packers taking a chance on him and it's a shame it didn't work out. Maybe he can find a way to use all that athleticism in disciplines that don't require split-second decision making, like competing in decathlon or acting as a pusher on a bobsled team.

Simmons had the right mentality and understanding of where he fit on the Packers' roster. I view the decision to cut both Simmons and Welch more as a compliment to how much Ty'Ron Hopper has grown as a defender. Hopper had a great camp and appears ready to be that "next linebacker up" if called upon. That said, Green Bay also was able to add a credentialed special-teams player in Nick Niemann on Wednesday.

Brad from Nampa, ID

With the Packers signing Niemann, do they absorb his contract from the Texans, or does he sign a new one? Do you think the Texans got caught trying to hide someone on their practice squad?

I'm not sure why the Texans let Niemann go, but the Packers gladly welcomed him to their 53-man roster. As a vested veteran, Niemann was free to sign a new contract with any NFL team after the Texans released him.

Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

There's a lot of potential AND experience on that practice squad. Isn't it weird to say that? The new practice-squad rules just make the game better; glad to see Hardman and Welch decided to stick around Green Bay. Chances are we will need them on the active roster at some point.

Very possible, especially with how Welch was playing on the Packers' No. 1 core-four special teams units throughout camp. One of the best changes the NFL ever instituted was expanding the practice squad to give veterans an avenue to work their way back onto an active roster. It provides opportunities and makes the game better.

Steve from Cedar Falls, IA

Were you amazed that none of our released players were picked up on waivers?

Not really, simply because the other 31 teams are making difficult choices with their own 53-man rosters. I saw a tweet about how roughly 4% of the players who were waived Tuesday got claimed Wednesday.

Bret from Hertel, WI

Dear Wes, everyone knows the success Malik Willis and Brandon McManus had as pickups in-season or after/end of training camp. Who would be your all-time pickups after training camp or in-season? Thanks!

I think you gotta start with the Super Bowl teams and the two in-season signings who helped put their respective Packers over the top: Andre Rison in 1996 and Howard Green in 2010. If we're talking narratives, I don't think it gets any better than the Packers signing Rasul Douglas in 2021 and him immediately grabbing a game-winning interception later that month against Arizona, the team from which he came.

David from Greeneville, TN

Besides Matthew Golden, which three new or second-year players are you most looking forward to seeing take the field this year?

Nate Hobbs obviously tops that list, but let's keep it with first- or second-year players in terms of experience: Jordan Morgan, Savion Williams and Evan Williams, whom I felt had a very strong finish to training camp.

Edward from Sioux Falls, SD

Hello! I am sure this question has been asked before and l apologize for not remembering, but how much are practice-squad players paid each week? Is it the same for everyone, regardless of position? Thank you for your time.

Players with two years of service or less receive $13K each week ($234K for a full 18-week regular season). Players with more than two years of experience receive between $17.5-22K per week ($315-396K). This is casually referred to as "The Spofford Rate."

Gary from Sheboygan, WI

Hi guys, if a player signs to a team's practice squad in the next couple of days but then in a day or two gets an offer to sign to another team's practice squad where he would much rather be, can he go to that team?

For an active roster spot, yes. This actually happened with Messiah Swinson last year. He signed to Green Bay's practice squad after clearing waivers but then Carolina added him to its 53. Practice-squad players can void their contracts anytime with a few exceptions, including they cannot sign with their team's next opponent within six days of a game. If a team signs a player off someone else's practice squad, it is obligated to pay that player three weeks of base salary regardless of whether he stays on the roster all three games. If the team cuts that player inside that window, he must be offered a spot back on his previous team's practice squad. If the previous team doesn't want him, he's free to sign to a new practice squad.

Jeff from Grandville, MI

I lived through the dark decades of the '70s and '80s for the Packers and sure don't want to revisit. I am concerned that since we have been the youngest team we can't seem to get to a Super Bowl. Gotta be hard to get the right mix between youth and experience, but it seems we always lean toward youth. Hopefully that youth over the last few years is now experienced enough. GPG

Philadelphia has the second-youngest team and won the Super Bowl last year with the fourth-youngest. I'm sorry you went through the 1970s-80s. I'm sure it was hard. I went through the 1990-2000s as a Brewers and Bucks fan, and it wasn't fun. But you can't let fear guide you. Don't let the past rob you of enjoying a competitive team in the present.

Ellen from Muskego, WI

Today I was in town with family at the Packers Pro Shop. While shopping I heard a familiar voice and there was Mark Murphy shopping with his mom. He was kind enough to have a picture taken while asking where we were from. Later while taking a stadium tour, it was pointed out the Atrium was being set up for the Hall of Fame induction for Mark. Just awesome that he was taking the time to help his mom pick out something yellow and spend a little time with a star-struck fan! Great person and congrats to Mark!

That is incredibly wholesome and also decidedly on-brand for Mark and his wonderful mother. I'm looking forward to tonight's ceremony. Leaders like Mark are the reason you build Halls of Fame.

Dave from Gwinn, MI

Mike, when you live in Upper Michigan, a two-hour bus ride through the streets of Sao Paulo sounds very intriguing.

It was something…and we had it easy. Our social team took the early bus, but it didn't have the police escort. It took them 2½ hours and they barely got to the stadium before us.

Arthur from Eau Claire, WI

I am not a writer or journalism student…what do the letters e.g. stand for and mean? I am truly curious. Thanks.

Exempli gratia…Latin for "For example."

Dustin from Kansas City, MO

With the preseason behind us and Week 1 finally in sight, what is the single biggest storyline you'll be watching as the season kicks off?

Can this young Packers team take the next step?

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