Inbox: He's a catalyst to what the Packers have built defensively

Graydon from Menomonie, WI

Merry Christmas! Wishing you and II nation a season filled with peace, joy, and time spent with those who matter most.

Same to you, Graydon. We appreciate you spending Christmas morning, and every morning, with us.

Randy from Westminster, CO

The Packers have really missed The Closer these last couple of games. Is there someone who can take over that role and dominate like Micah Parsons does?

There is only one Micah Parsons, but the Packers have a deep and talented roster that can help carry the fire in his absence. Beyond pure talent, what's most astounding about Parsons' playstyle is his ability to keep his foot on the gas pedal for four quarters. Positional rotations and controlling the football help keep defenses fresh, but it's also up to the guys on the field to dig deep in crunch time.

Doug from Salem, OR

I believe championship teams make championship plays when they are presented. I don't need to list plays where had the Pack made them, a victory would most likely have been secured. But they have made some as well (see Keisean Nixon's interception just a couple of weeks ago). It is time to make these plays. And they have shown they can.
GPG!

Indubitably. We are quickly approaching legend-making season. That fabled time of the year when Desmond Howard, Clay Matthews, Nick Collins, and Jordy Nelson became more than just great football players – they became immortal within the annals of Packers history. There will be plays to be made Saturday. Who's gonna be the one to do it?

Tabb from West Lafayette, IN

Great breakdown on "Packers Unscripted," but butterfly effects be darned, I maintain taking points on the opening drive in a hostile environment objectively puts more pressure on the home team than a turnover on downs. Hindsight 20/20 obviously, ha. My question: No. 0 has zero drops and has absolutely flashed reliable hands in key third- and fourth-down moments, so in what areas is "0" still unreliable to warrant fewer snaps than those above him with more drops?

Matthew Golden is a playmaker and the future of this passing game. I've seen enough of "0" this year to feel confident saying that. That said, there are so many factors that go into snap counts – availability, route-running, assignments, etc. Green Bay has four established veterans who know this playbook inside and out and fortunately they're all (mostly) healthy right now. What Golden can do is focus on maximizing his reps regardless of whether it's 22 snaps or twice that.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, this Packers team looks far different heading into the game this Saturday compared to the season opener. Among the new faces, where has there been a previously unknown talent revealed? Do you see any other talents on the verge of emerging? A Christmas surprise is always welcome!

The thing is every team looks different this time of year. Even the seasons where the Packers were crazy healthy, they still lost a few key pieces to the original plan. Championship teams build their blueprint regardless of the obstacles. Over the course of the season, you've seen Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Sean Rhyan and Emanuel Wilson take their game to another level while young players like Anthony Belton have grown into starting roles. There are plenty of candidates who could break out down this final stretch, but the key is it actually happening. Because it's going to take potential turning into production to help the Packers get where they want to go.

Pete from Hillsborough, NC

I'm a little surprised Quay Walker didn't generate more interest in Pro Bowl voting, are you?

I was. That's probably a combination of the quiet way Walker goes about his business and the hiccup with the neck injury midseason. But he's a catalyst to what the Packers have built defensively under Jeff Hafley. His approach is understated but his efforts are definitely appreciated.

Tom rom Nolanville, TX

Insiders, here's to the Packers scoring at least 27 points Saturday night … and slowing down the King!

As much as we're making out of Lamar Jackson's availability for Saturday, a lot of fans seem to be forgetting Derrick Henry is still in that Baltimore backfield and still better than ever at 31 years young.

Neil from Crystal, MN

Hello Insiders and Merry Christmas: I noticed two players listed out due to illness on the Tuesday injury list. I don't like being an alarmist, but have you heard of anything going through the team? It is cold and flu season.

There seems to be a bug going around the locker room. Malik Willis didn't practice on Wednesday due to an illness, not because of his shoulder.

Paul from New Braunfels, TX

Personally, I'd like to see the Packers finish as the seventh seed, putting them in Chicago for the wild-card round. I'd love to see them send the Bears packing! Anything beyond that would be a bonus.

The Packers have done it before, but the path to usurping the NFC North frontrunners begins Saturday night with a win over Baltimore.

Tim from Clear Lake, IA

Merry CHRISTMAS to all of II world. Have you heard if the Bears player who caused Jordan Love's concussion was fined? Also, just a statement...As hard as the last couple weeks have been, it could be worse. We could be Vikings fans or Bears fans. Let's not forget all the success we've had in the past 30 years. At least each and every year, we have hope of a contending team (kudos to BG and TT). Other teams have success once in a blue moon. No wonder the Bears and Vikings don't like us!?

I believe those typically get announced on either Friday or Saturday. I'm assuming Booker will be. I'm curious how they handle multiple infractions in the same half. Booker might wind up paying to have played last week.

Mark from Amarillo, TX

Hod, I know you have high-level access to Marcedes Lewis. Get him on the phone and make him an offer! We need a TE pronto! Tell Gute I gave the OK for this.

Ha. If it were up to me, Lewis would be practicing out at Nitschke Field as we speak. But 42-year-old Tramon Williams probably would be, too. The buck stops with Brian Gutekunst, who has to make those extremely difficult roster decisions. LaFleur said earlier this week the Packers have a plan. Like Ted before him…in Brian, we trust.

Rich from El Cerrito, CA

It seems we need to go to the tight end tree for another player with John FitzPatrick likely gone for the year. I assume Josh Whyle will be back this week after the concussion. Who on the practice squad would seem to be the best blocker since Luke and Josh both are capable in the passing game?

The next men up would be McCallan Castles and Drake Dabney, who were both signed to the practice squad after Tucker Kraft tore his ACL last month. LaFleur praised the work ethic of both men prior to Wednesday's practice. Castles and Dabney are similar in stature, but LaFleur said each brings a different flavor to the position. It's also possible Green Bay keeps the same approach it did last weekend and just rolls with its two active tight ends and keeps utilizing Darian Kinnard as a sixth O-lineman.

Jeff from Thornton, CO

What happened with MarShawn Lloyd? Did I miss him getting activated off injured reserve – or is he now done for this season?

The Packers moved him to the active roster when his 21-day practice window closed and placed him back on IR, which allows him to be designated to return a second time this season if Green Bay should need Lloyd in the playoffs.

Troy from Bakersfield, CA

Mike and Wes, no fluff here, I think that both of you have improved to master class with a mix of expertise, eloquence, and humor in your II responses. Best guess, what concessions would be made by the league if in fact we do go to an 18-game schedule? Particularly with what would seem to be an increasing occurrence and severity of injuries. I am not for it, but it seems inevitable.

The NFL leveraged raising the minimum player salaries to move the ball across the goal line in the last CBA negotiations, which was a sound strategy considering that impacts the most players/voters. I could see that being the crux of the next bargaining agreement in five years, too. But to enter negotiations now, it would take guaranteed contracts for me, as a player, to come to the table.

Robert from Cologne, MN

One thing I've learned in 40 years of coaching is that it is almost impossible to beat the same team three times in a season (even twice actually) when said teams are pretty evenly matched. The way things look to be shaking out is that one way or another it is more likely than not that the Packers and Bears will meet in the playoffs should they both be there. Although I would have loved the win last weekend, I'll take the even playing field.

I remain in the camp of a second win over the Bears being most beneficial because it would've put Green Bay in the driver's seat in the NFC North. However, that "hard to beat a team three times" maxim is the silver lining to all this if the rivals should meet yet again.

Dale from Prescott, WI

With all this talk about should've, could've kicked a field goal here or there, I got one thing to say. Field goals keep you in the game, but touchdowns win them for you. Enough said.

Your submission got me ready to run through some lightly reinforced drywall.

Matt from San Luis Obispo, CA

Scott from Hamlin, NY, nailed it. Bill Belichick's Patriots teams rode his "just do your job" mantra to six titles. The way to close out wins is making the plays you're supposed to make, not playing hero. Playing hero leads to busted coverages and players out of position. Just "do your job" is all that's needed when you have a late, two-score lead. Trust your teammates, and "do your job."

Belichick also rode the greatest player to ever play the game to those titles, too. It's a bit easier to bake a decent cake when Paul Hollywood is with you in the kitchen.

Samuel from Skokie, IL

I don't know your position on promoting other content. That being said, for those of us that miss WYMM, LeRoy Butler and Tom Silverstein do a YouTube show called Xs and Os. I bring it up because they answer some questions like who should have been where on the fourth-and-4. Having a HOF player explain defensive plays is a treat.

I could listen to LeRoy talk football all day, particularly when it comes to the secondary. I tell Spoon all the time that series is one of my favorite things PackersNews.com does.

Kandy from Wilmington, IL

Merry Christmas guys, I have a question/comment, why would the NFL broadcast this week's game on Peacock and not a national station? For those of us that don't have Peacock, especially a home game for playoff seeding. GO PACK GO!

I sympathize with your plight, Kandy, but that's unfortunately how the world works these days. Live sports is king, and the NFL is at the top of that tall mountain. Streaming platforms such as Peacock, Netflix and Amazon are paying a premium to broadcast games because that's where the eyeballs (and pocketbooks) are.

Brian from Beaver Dam, WI

Can you explain exactly what concussion protocol means and how a player is cleared; is it a Packers specialist or someone with the NFL? It seems pretty vague once a player is in it.

There's always been a veil of secrecy in how the NFL handles the concussion protocol and the process itself has evolved over the years. I remember when I first started covering the Packers in 2012, players "passed" the protocol once they practiced. Practicing is now part of the protocol, along with a series of other behind-the-scenes checkpoints and being cleared by an independent neurologist. One thing that hasn't changed is the league doesn't allow players to talk to the media until they've passed the protocol.

Ron from Beaver Dam, WI

Make plays, not mistakes, beat the Ravens.

This would seem to be an optimal strategy.

Joel from Green Lake, WI

Fifteen years ago, I lost my right hand, and my left was permanently damaged due to an undiagnosed, post-operation mistake by my caregivers. How does this relate to the recent Packers loss? Those mistakes were not intentional, and I am sure everyone involved learned from them, and they will NEVER make those mistakes again. If I were to need surgery tomorrow, I would not hesitate to have those same people operate/take care of me. Have faith in the team, hopefully, they will not make the same mistakes again...

I'm sorry to hear that, Joel, but appreciate your kind and authentic perspective. We are all human. Mistakes happen, but that's often where the greatest lessons are learned.

Herbert from Palm Desert, CA

Merry Christmas, Mike and Wes. Thank you for all that you do. This column is unique to every site in the NFL and you two (with a special thank you to Vic) make it work. May the New Year bring you only thoughtful and grammatically correct questions.

That would be the ultimate Christmas gift. Our same well wishes to you and yours!

Al from Green Bay, WI

Merry Christmas, Wes! May the list of blessings you have in this Christmas season be as long as the Packers' injury report!

He-he-he and ho, ho, ho.

Jim from Hudsonville, MI

Just want to wish "The 'Box," and every last person involved, a very Merry Christmas! Thanks for all you do, all year long! We couldn't survive without you! GPG.

It's been a fun year, and I cannot wait to see what 2026 has in store. But we have one more week to go in 2025 and one more game to play…here's to it being a W. Merry Christmas, folks.