Inbox: He'll be in a different place

Mike from Leland, NC

More comment than question…Trudy Uprites would also be a great name for a kicker.

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

Steve from Flagstaff, AZ

Did I miss why there was no Inbox on Monday? Is it the dead zone now? The Summer of George? Was the II on a Peterman Reality Tour? Were you expecting the news of Claypool being signed instead of Taylor? Serenity now!

For those who couldn't find it, Monday's column did not initially appear on the app and mobile sites in the main news feed, only under the II menu. That issue was fixed later in the day. It's been there, and it's also right here. Apologies for the inconvenience.

Kevin from Dalton Gardens, ID

With regards to your response to George from North Mankato, MN, although only one preseason game, Lambeau will be hosting Badgers-Notre Dame the Sunday prior to opening week.

I just heard that's been announced as a night game, too. Those golden domes and red motion W's shining under the Lambeau lights should look awfully cool.

Kathryn from Greenville, WI

While waiting for the highly anticipated 2026 NFL schedule, what do you think the odds are that Lambeau will host the possible pre-Thanksgiving eve game?

Color me curious as to how the league plans to handle that Wednesday night item. With those Wednesday Christmas games a couple of years ago, the teams involved played on the previous Saturday, so the short week was the same as a Sunday-Thursday turnaround. But that was December, when college football was done (except the bowls/playoffs). The NFL isn't going to schedule Saturday games in November, is it? Or will the previous week have a Thursday night doubleheader so two teams can meet with close to full rest on the following Wednesday night, Thanksgiving eve? And before anyone brings up having the bye week prior, that would require a waiver of CBA regulations that stipulate the players' minimum four-day break over the bye include a weekend. Stay tuned, I guess.

Brad from St. Paul Park, MN

Wow, (with apologies for math in the Inbox) only 26 punt returns and 10 fair catches? That's barely more than two punts by the opponent per game. Along with only 14 turnovers, that means 40 drives ended correctly by the defense. Seems like a tremendous amount of room for improvement in '26.

The 26 punt returns and 10 fair catches did not include touchbacks and punts that went out of bounds or were downed by the kicking team. All told, opponents punted 56 times last season.

Jeff from Champlin, MN

Biggest concern is LT. The Vikings game last year revealed Jordan Morgan wasn't quite ready. Hopefully, he has improved since and the team signs a veteran LT for depth prior to season start in case he hasn't. Got to protect the franchise.

It's important to remember Morgan wasn't practicing at left tackle until Week 18. He had been starting at right tackle in Zach Tom's place. With an entire offseason and training camp to practice at left tackle, he'll be in a different place.

Mike from Canada

Greetings II. Thanks for your daily supply of Packers wisdom and insights. Having just re-read scouting reports on Jordon Morgan, analysts were fixated in his arm length. 32 7/8" which was below the universal cutoff of 33". There was a consensus that Morgan's short arms would be an issue if he played tackle, and he was better built to play on the inside. Have you observed Morgan struggling to engage pass rushers owing to arm length? Should we be worried? Thanks.

I thought the best play of Morgan's young career so far has come in those starts at right tackle for Tom late last season.

Scott from Seattle, WA

Greetings II. What is the likelihood that a kicker can be treated as a jar on the shelf? Is there any possibility that the position could be treated similar to a developmental QB? If so, could that be in the cards for Trey Smack?

If Smack doesn't win the job and the Packers don't want to keep two kickers on the 53, they would have to expose him to waivers and have no other team claim him in order to re-sign him to the practice squad.

Ben from Cripple Creek, CO

I'm hoping that MarShawn Lloyd is healthy because he'd make a heckuva changeup to Josh Jacobs. Saying otherwise means you weren't seeing/hearing what he was doing in camp and the few snaps he had through preseason/before injury. After picking up Tyrod Taylor, my main concern is OL depth (just because how we felt last year before season started) and TE depth. The influx of bodies at DB helps me feel better at that position, even if competition/results need to be proven.

As Wes and I discussed on "Unscripted," there's every reason to root for Lloyd, and we also touched on the view of the O-line depth internally. As for DB, it'll be very interesting to see how CB 2-3-4 shake out amongst Carrington Valentine, Benjamin St-Juste and Brandon Cisse.

Bryan from Steamboat Springs, CO

"It's just the stats" separating Javon Bullard from a Pro Bowl, huh? I kid mostly as I love how he's filled the slot/safety role for us. While splash plays don't always show the impact of a player, the impact they can have on a game can't be overlooked.

No argument there. I think the overarching point of our "Unscripted" discussion was Bullard is right on the verge of going from a rock solid, reliable player to a high-impact, game-altering one. At least it feels that way.

Bob from Kennesaw, GA

Regarding the Justin from Thousand Oaks question yesterday about contributing Packers players who came from other leagues…didn't Reggie White get his start in an alternate league?

Of course, the USFL, but he came to the Packers from the Eagles, not an alternate league.

Brianna from Broomfield, CO

I've long subscribed to the theory that Jordan Love's arrival fueled AR12's MVP performances. Not being critical or judgmental, but it does fit the chip on shoulder narrative.

To say the drafting of Love was the primary driver for Rodgers' MVPs in 2020 and '21 wouldn't be fair to one of the league's all-time greats. But to say it had no effect would be naïve.

Herb from Mosier, OR

Mike mentioned that if the QB deciphers the defense prior to the snap he can change the play to beat that defense. How much can Love actually change a play at the line of scrimmage when there are only a few seconds left on the clock? Can he change from a pass to a run or vice versa? What's your opinion as to Love's ability to make those changes? I doubt he's at Rodgers' level but hopefully he's getting closer.

The more he plays, the more he sees, the better he'll get, just as Rodgers did. But he's pretty good already. I remember two of Christian Watson's biggest TD catches last year – the game-winner in the fourth quarter in Jersey down the right sideline, and the quick slant to the house at home vs. the Bears – came on checks at the line. The play clock is always part of the chess match, as defenses try to hold their disguise as long as they can while the QB uses his cadence to get them to declare with enough time to make a check if needed. It also depends on the play call. Not all calls have the same variety of checks built in. There are run-to-run checks (say, left or right) and pass-to-pass checks (route combos), but also run-to-pass and pass-to-run which are more likely the "can" calls where the QB is canning (hands to the ears) the first call to go to the second. Some of Jacobs' best gains have occurred when Love has canned to the run. A check might be as simple as one receiver adjusting his route based on the coverage, like those with Watson mentioned above. Other checks are more involved and therefore need more time to be fully communicated. If you're getting the sense the game at this level is not the same one we all played at recess, you're catching on.

Yotam from Israel

I recently saw another silly (to use a SFW word) headline claiming Rasul Douglas might be heading back to Green Bay. Which got me thinking, apart from Randall Cobb, when was the last time an ex-GB player has returned to our team? It seems BG usually knows when to let someone go and rarely looks back.

As far as recognizable names in my time here, I've seen Ahman Green, James Jones and Tramon Williams all return after playing elsewhere.

Pete from Hillsborough, NC

Given all the new DB talent, where do you think Bo Melton will fit best this year? Still in the DB room, or back to the WR room? I assume he is still a valuable asset on ST.

In his media session Wednesday, new receivers coach Noah Pauley made a brief reference to Bo being in his room during the offseason program, so that could be a sign he's on offense again.

Steve from Cedar Falls, IA

Someone asked about getting fitted for helmets and it sparked a question. Do players with the "dot" have multiple helmets since only one can be in the game at a time? I assume they already have a traditional helmet, a white helmet and a throwback helmet.

The players who are the backup options to wear the green dot have spare helmets on the sideline during games that are wired up and ready to go.

Darren from Oconomowoc, WI

Hearing our coaches' press conferences each year is always inspirational. Although the faces change, each trip to the podium is by a leader of men. The way they confidently respond to questions, communicate their vision, and understand such minute elements of the game and players, really expounds how the Packers are able to retain a culture of excellence. It also seems each coach has a master's degree in teaching! How fun would it have been to be in the room for Gannon or Achord's interviews!?

I've always wondered what a coaching interview entails, specifically for head coaching positions. That's a fly-on-the-wall fascination for me.

Marshall from Mesa, AZ

3-4, 4-3 – doesn't really make much difference. If you can get a good pass rush with four, you've got a good shot at a dominant defense, assuming they can play against the run. It just was demonstrated last year with Seattle. And respectfully, I think striving for a good pass rush out of your base defense is a goal for every team. I don't see how that means you're in a bad look.

Any defense that can comfortably major in rush four, cover seven will have the best shot at consistency and reliability. Moreover, the fewer wrinkles and surprises needed, the more effective they're likely to be.

Craig from Laramie, WY

I've been enjoying getting acquainted (via packers.com) with the new team, particularly Cam Achord. He hit on one of my pet peeves with special teams: penalties. I'll be curious to see how he addresses accountability for players that fail to buy in to the stated goal of "consistent, penalty-free football." I'm eager to watch the development of "Just the FACTs, man." I'll see myself out now...

Penalties were the most persistent problem on special teams on Bisaccia's watch. The Packers had the third-most and second-most flags in the league on special teams in 2022 and '23, respectively, and improved from there, but only to tied for 11th in '24 and tied for 10th in '25. That's four straight years in the top (worst) third of the league in that category, which adds up to a lot of lost yardage. In LaFleur's first three seasons, they were in the bottom (best) third of the league, but other issues – be it coverage or protection – did too much damage. The whole picture needs to stay sharp, and not have this area or that area lose focus. That's Achord's task.

Jim from Hartford, WI

Hello II, I have enough trouble hearing Inbox as it is, and people want to add whisper mode?

Hearing aids are included in the subscription price.

Jeff from Janesville, WI

Almost time for the baloney to stop.

Not even close. Happy Friday.

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