John from Green Bay, WI

With Josh Jacobs' status in question, what are the next moves Packers need to do in order to ensure that their running back room is ready to go for the season?

As Matt LaFleur reiterated before practice Wednesday, the Packers are letting the legal process with Jacobs play out. Meanwhile, the locker room must stay focused on getting the most out of these OTAs. With MarShawn Lloyd healthy again, the Packers have enough numbers at running back to navigate the offseason program. Green Bay has a plan for Lloyd, who looked good during individuals on Wednesday after practicing in team Tuesday. Chris Brooks and Pierre Strong Jr. took the first-team reps on Wednesday and provide additional reinforcements, as well.

James from Appleton, WI

Sure, Chris Brooks is a running back, but if you hooked him up to the Fullback-O-Meter that runs from John Kuhn to William Henderson, where would the needle fall?

I'm not sure if that's the right comp. Brooks reminds me a lot of Tony Fisher. He has a good frame for a third-down back. Brooks has soft hands and embraces the art of pass pro. While we haven't seen Brooks carry the ball a ton because of Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson, he was a steady force running out of the backfield at both Cal and BYU. Brooks is capable of doing anything the Packers ask.

Al from Green Bay, WI

I'm sure it's not too early to ask…Who was the MVP of the only day of OTAs you have seen so far?

Brenton Cox Jr. had a good day in my estimation. As Spoff and I discussed on “Unscripted,” Cox is the guy nobody's really talking about this offseason but should be. Don't sleep on No. 57. He's still very much part of this thing. Cox looked explosive out of his stance in practice and had a couple a rushes where the second-team offensive line struggled to get a hand on him. He also drew what would have been a holding penalty on another rush.

Bobby from Golden Valley, MN

First-time poster! When does the team expect Micah Parsons back to play in a game? Also, how good can our defense be until he comes back?

That's where Cox, Barryn Sorrell, Arron Mosby and Collin Oliver come in. The organization has invested a lot of time and development into edge rusher dating back to drafting Lukas Van Ness in 2023. The Packers are counting on those men to step up until Parsons steps back in.

Mike from New Orleans, LA

Back in the early 2010s, the Pack regularly played five-WR sets and seemed to mostly light up the league (especially in 2011). Has that style of offense disappeared league-wide, and if so, what changed? I know the game is cyclical and watching those teams always had me entranced.

I wouldn't say it's disappeared, but running backs and tight ends play such an integral role in the modern offense that it's difficult to pull them off the field. Plus, you can line up your running back wide and then motion him to the backfield to get the defense to show its hand. If a team is hellbent on playing five wide, it risks telegraphing the call and putting its quarterback at hazard in an empty backfield.

Jim from Bridgman, MI

Jim from Hudsonville, MI, got me thinking. Could you compile a list of the new assistant coaches, who they replaced and where the departed coaches landed?

Aside from the two new coordinators, you have Bobby Babich and Daniel Bullocks replacing Ryan Downard (Miami Dolphins passing game coordinator) and Derrick Ansley (Dallas Cowboys passing game coordinator) in the secondary, Sam Siefkes replacing Sean Duggan (Dolphins defensive coordinator) as linebackers coach, Luke Getsy replacing Sean Mannion (Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator) as QBs coach, and Noah Pauley replacing Ryan Mahaffey (Eagles run game coordinator) at WR coach. Vince Oghobaase also received a promotion to defensive line coach after assisting DeMarcus Covington last year. And it's whom, by the way.

Bret from Hertel, WI

Did the Packers work to improve the TE room enough? They lost Ben Sims and John FitzPatrick. Tucker Kraft is coming off a major injury even if he is ahead of schedule. Rookie FAs and Josh Whyle, Drake Dabney, Messiah Swinson, and Luke Musgrave return but the production after Kraft injury was down. Do you see them looking for a blocking TE?

I was just about to write that I wouldn't be surprised to see another body added to that room, but then LaFleur told reporters before practice that Tucker Kraft could be back for the start of training camp. Tight end is one position the Packers did not address this offseason outside of college free agency. An argument could still be made about adding a blocking tight end. Green Bay tried to claim Luke Lachey, but he didn't pass the physical here. Kraft is on his way back, though.

Gene from Winston Salem, NC

As the dad of an SMU student/now grad, I've been able to attend a few games in Dallas and have tuned in when they appeared on non-streaming television. Several times it appeared to me that RJ Maryland could be a game changer. Any insight on why he dropped completely out of the draft and, perhaps fortunately, into the Packers' lap?

Maryland tore his ACL in 2024 and sort of falls between two positions at 6-4, 236 pounds. He's athletic but must prove he can gain separation from nickel cornerbacks, safeties, and linebackers at the next level.

Stu from Mesa, AZ

I just finished reading "The Tipping Point." Compelling stuff which got me wondering about the NFL's "tipping point" to its dominance over American sports. For me, it's the early '90s with the advent of the salary cap and free agency, essentially creating real parity. Curious if you guys agree or have other thoughts.

Free agency and how the NFL structured its salary cap were game-changers. That's the water that helped grow the seed that became America's No. 1 sport.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

Hm, Wes, interesting post from you about Cam Achord having punt returners throw a tennis ball in the air as they catch a punt, then try to catch the tennis ball. Do you guess this is a focus drill to ensure staying present for securing the ball, or is it teaching ability to simultaneously catch and process field of vision and make a first move?

All of the above. To my eye, it tests the returner's concentration and forces him to secure the catch before doing anything else. That was a new drill for me. I hadn't seen anything quite like that before. I'm interested in chatting with Achord about the drill this summer.

Curtis from Moreno Valley, CA

I said it before and I'll say it again...letting Emanuel Wilson go was a big mistake.

Only time will tell. At some point, the Packers needed to find out what they have in Lloyd and keeping Brooks was a smart insurance policy while they wait for those answers. We'll see how things go for Wilson in Seattle, too. His signing seems somewhat precarious now after the Seahawks drafted Jadarian Price in the first round to pair with Zach Charbonnet.

Michelle from Darlington, WI

Obviously, the Packers and Bears have a long and storied rivalry. If the Packers are able to disrupt Caleb Williams' passing game, how will they also be able to limit his ability to scramble to extend plays and drives?

That's the problem the Packers face for the next decade. Williams can be very dynamic when plays break down – perhaps even more dangerous than when he's playing on time from the pocket. Unlike Aaron Rodgers, though, he's not terribly accurate – or at least hasn't been. In Year 3, the key for Green Bay's defense will be maintaining pressure when things aren't clicking for the young quarterback.

Randy from Lebanon, KY

Wes, in regards to Jeff's question on players negotiating for natural grass in the new CBA you stated, "Too many teams desire stadiums that are domed, revenue-generators 12 months of the year." By my count, there are five open-air stadiums with turf (Bills, Panthers, Bengals, Giants/Jets, Seahawks), and another additional four with retractable roofs (Cowboys, Rams/Chargers, Cardinals, Texans). I see no reason they couldn't be converted to natural grass. This could be a chip in the 18th game negotiations.

Sure, but everything is compromise, right? So, what would the NFLPA be giving up to press owners to mandate grass fields? I'd love the league to utilize strictly grass fields, but I don't see it happening. In regards to the New York and Los Angeles markets, you're also playing twice as many games on those surfaces. It would be difficult to keep that field surface up to par.

Nick from Prescott, WI

Hey guys, the super mega ultra Packers fan Tom Grossi has decided to do another tour around the country going to all 30 stadiums in 30 days to raise money for St Jude's Children's Hospital. He did it a few years ago and you and the Packers were more than supportive. I get most Packers fans know who he is, but I was just hoping you'd let more people know how great of a cause this is.

Thinking of Tom today as he sets out on yet another adventure. This time, he's starting off in Los Angeles on Friday and wrapping up here at Lambeau Field on June 27.

Kim from Sheboygan, WI

Hello Wes. I still can't wrap my head around the owners basically approving division games overseas. Is there something I'm missing? Do the teams receive extra compensation for overseas games? Also, how did the new guys look? Anybody stand out?

There is no extra compensation, which is what surprises me most about teams no longer being able to "block" games. Division games are so important – not only when it comes to wins and losses but also the revenue those games generate. Who doesn't want to be there for Packers and Bears at Soldier Field on Christmas Day? That's a big ticket for a game with likely massive implications. You could still push paper if that game was played in Ireland, but the Bears would be losing homefield advantage at a critical point of the season. To your second question, Brandon Cisse stood out on Tuesday. His combination of size and speed is impressive. You can clearly see why he was a top draft choice.

Wayne from Orange City, IA

What is the most memorable geographical location from where you have received a question, one where you went "Wow!?"

Uruguay.

Keith from Lincoln, IL

Wes, do you have a favorite introduction from Spoff during "Packers Unscripted"? Just wondering if you prefer to be his Trusted Colleague, Partner in Crime, or something else he has yet to use?

I was gonna put "Partner in all things Packers" on my license plate but it didn't fit.

Dustin from Kansas City, MO

Wes, as a fellow UFC fan, how do you feel about Conor McGregor making his return? Part of me wants to believe he still has some magic left, but the practical side of me believes he is going to be a less motivated shell of his former self. Do you think he has one more real run in him or has the sport simply passed him by?

Max Holloway is gonna be a difficult matchup for him. If Max's chin holds up in the first round, I don't see a clear path to victory for Conor. He's gonna put a pace on Conor, who wasn't known for his gas tank even in his prime. In addition to a five-year layoff, McGregor is also coming back from a leg fracture, the same injury that took Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman out of contention.

Matt from Forest Falls, CA

I agree with Jerry from Las Cruces, NM, that reading Mike's Gameday Blog is a must. Also, if a Packers game is being televised here, I usually mute it and listen to Wayne and Larry hoping to hear about a "DAGGER!" towards the end of the game. I really appreciate that both are available on packers.com. Are these two features going to be available in 2026?

That's the plan.

Stephen from Green Bay, WI

Oy vey?! I wouldn't want your job this week at all. As much as I want more information and a whole lot of others do and I will fret about it, in the end I will appreciate the professionalism of the organization and its reporting.

You can't rush to conclusions in this business. You must wait for the facts and proceed accordingly. Have a great Thursday.

HAVE A QUESTION?