Mike from Montpelier, WI

Get off my lawn guy here but if defensive players spent less energy celebrating a tackle for a 2-yard gain or an incompletion they had little to nothing to do with they may not be so tired.

This comment truly made my day.

Phil from Madison, WI

In his answer to Brian from Pensacola's question about the Packers' best draft picks, Mike opted to name the best players the Packers picked. Another way to answer would be the best value for the round they were picked in. For 1975-2000 I would humbly submit Donald Driver. Who would you choose for best value for the 2000-2025 period?

I'd probably say David Bakhtiari (R4, 2013), but the list of legitimate candidates would include Mark Tauscher (R7, 2000), Aaron Kampman (R5, '02), Scott Wells (R7, '04), Mason Crosby (R6, '07), Josh Sitton (R4, '08), Corey Linsley (R5, '14), Aaron Jones (R5, '17), and Zach Tom (R4, '22).

William from Newburgh, IN

One more thought on getting turnovers. I think it's 50/50 on players, who have a skill at forcing turnovers, and who you play. Some offensive people, QBs/RBs/etc., are more turnover prone. Tony Dungy used to say, in effect when playing against Favre, that there will be four balls they will have a chance at and they need to complete those catches. Or am I looking at this wrong?

The common vernacular of "forcing turnovers" can be misleading, because turnovers are as much about taking advantage of the opportunities presented than actually "forcing" anything.

Steven from McCordsville, IN

Relative to the discussion concerning 2025 turnovers – I do agree that we dropped some INTs that were there for the taking. But one thing I don't believe has been mentioned is the way teams started playing us after Micah Parsons became such a destructive force. It seems that a lot of teams decided to dink and dunk and have the QB get the ball out quickly. Would you agree that (the opponent's short passing game) played a significant part in the reduction of opportunities for INTs?

I won't dismiss that, but numerous chances still existed.

Alan from Butternut, WI

The sack numbers referenced for Deacon Jones are simply mind-boggling. When you consider that the seasons were only 14 games long during the time that Jones played, it is even more impressive.

Indeed. As several readers pointed out, Jones' signature move was the long-since-outlawed head slap, and offensive linemen were much more restricted in their use of hands. But whatever the rules, leading the league in sacks, according to PFR, four times in a span of five years ('65, '66, '68, '69) remains unmatched.

Sean from Palatine, IL

Good morning Insiders! One player I wouldn't be surprised to see have a fantastic year is Josh Jacobs. There's quite a bit of data that shows running backs who get the kind of workload he had in 2024 inevitably have a down year the next year. Still expecting an Emanuel Wilson replacement through the draft, but count me in as a Jacobs believer for 2026.

If Jacobs stays healthy, there's no reason to believe his production can't return to 2024 levels. He was really gutting it out at times last year.

Josh from Nicaragua

Do you think we could be entering an era of "draft and replace" at WR for the Packers? The contract Alec Pierce just signed would make him the second highest-paid LT, for just 19^th-ranked WR production. Considering Christian Watson is projected to sign a similar contract, I wouldn't be surprised if the Packers let him (and Jayden Reed) walk and prioritized spending that money on one of the premier positions. Plus, losing a $30M WR in FA would net a third-round comp pick, facilitating a rinse and repeat.

I think it would be difficult to never give a receiver a second contract and constantly churn the position. You'd never capitalize on any receiver's career prime. That said, the prices make it imperative a receiver be a true difference-maker to justify the cost, so keeping the pipeline stocked to allow for highly selective decision-making on the big-money deals is prudent. In other words, don't get backed into a corner to re-sign your own average guy at an exorbitant price simply because you don't have anyone else ready to step in.

Joe from Swansea, IL

If Gutey had to take PTO and let you man the office for a day, how would you prioritize the next-offseason signing decisions facing the Packers? Watson? Or Tucker Kraft? Who else?

Those two are the priorities in my mind, and I hope both are extended before next offseason.

Michelle from Andover, MN

In question from Jim in Mundelein, I was surprised the response order from Wes at pick No. 52 with exact same grade available was cornerback, defensive tackle, safety and then edge. I didn't believe the Packers have a current strong need at safety, but perhaps with DC change a different skilled player is needed or is there a safety that could be still on board at 52 that would be highest rated player on Pack's board (no need to give names)?

I think what Wes was getting at with safety there is a DB who could back up Javon Bullard at nickel and provide depth in the back end following Zayne Anderson's departure.

Greg from Perkasie, PA

I think I'd be happy if every pick this year was either a DB, offensive lineman, defensive lineman, or pass rusher. Are there any other under-the-radar positions that we should be paying attention to?

Tight end.

Mike from Oshkosh, WI

Hearing Mr. Policy talk about the financial future of the Pack and fans asking about stadium naming, will the team do another stock sale?

Eventually, but it'll be a while yet. The last three were in 1997, 2011 and 2021, to give an idea of the spacing.

Dan from Herriman, UT

Good morning, II. I asked Mr. Policy this question and was not answered. Ticket prices keep increasing every year. Another decade or so, and seats between the 20-yard lines will surpass $400 each. Why do our tickets have to be priced somewhere in the middle nationwide? We are a very small community and those prices are significant to many.

I don't want to speak for Ed, but the Packers' rationale throughout the Murphy era was to keep ticket prices – in a perpetually sold-out stadium with a six-figure season-ticket waiting list – at or just below the league midpoint as a way of being a good business partner to the other clubs, who take a percentage of ticket sales as the road team.

John from St. Paul, MN

Do you think the Packers will ever play a game again in Milwaukee?

No, and even if they wanted to, where would they play it? Marquette High School? I don't believe the space exists to put a regulation NFL field inside AmFam. There was barely enough room within County Stadium. One end zone was so tight to the lower grandstand I doubt that would even be allowed today, and that ballpark had a larger surface footprint than the current one.

Ray from West Des Moines, IA

I recall hearing about proposed changes that would allow injured players to begin practicing earlier and play after two weeks instead of four. Were those changes adopted?

Only for players who begin the regular season on PUP (physically unable to perform), which means they didn't practice at all during training camp. They can now begin practicing after the first two weeks of the regular season instead of four. Players placed on IR (injured reserve) still have to sit out a minimum of four weeks from the time the transaction is made.

Rudy from Rhinelander, WI

Since my question about Kraft was asked by others and answered, here is another: Who is the No. 2 RB now? Is that another TBD after the draft? Chris Brooks? Savion Williams?

If healthy, I think MarShawn Lloyd is the No. 2, but a draft pick could be brought in to compete for the job. Brooks' skillset makes me believe he's a third-down back and more the No. 3, but we shall see. Williams is a gadget player in the backfield, not a true running back.

Ron from Waukesha, WI

Sheepshead or Euchre for Gutey and his team on Day 1 draft night? Seriously, we don't have a first-round pick and our first pick is 20 selections into the second round. I don't see them fielding many calls that night. What do you think they'll be working on?

Planning the various trade calls they're going to make on Days 2 and 3. It probably takes more than a half-dozen trade calls for each draft trade that actually happens.

Doug from Neenah, WI

Good morning. Were changes made to this year's draft regarding the amount of time that teams have to make their selections? While creating a faster pace for the TV audience, shorter periods of "on the clock" could restrict trades from being completed. It makes you wonder if ESPN is running the draft now instead of the league. Is PPV next? Thanks.

The first round has been reduced from 10 minutes per pick to eight. But the rest of the rounds are the same – seven minutes for Round 2, five for Rounds 3-6, and four for Round 7.

Tony from Chanhassen, MN

In any reporting about this year's draft, or hypothetically any trades that may have recently happened, I keep hearing about how great next year's draft is. What's so great about next year's draft that they're pumping up weeks before this one even starts?

The analysts are expecting the '27 draft to be deeper, in a general sense, than usual. But we'll just have to see how it shakes out. There's a lot of college football to be played between now and then.

Steve from Cedar Falls, IA

No rush on answering these two questions. 1. Are some colleges more apt to turn out more "pro-ready" athletes? 2. Overall are more players, regardless of position, coming out of college ready to play?

I think the first answer used to be yes, but I'm not so sure anymore in the transfer portal era with fewer players staying in one program for 4-5 years. The second answer, to me, is no, because the adjustment from the college to the pro game remains as big as it's always been.

Dustin from Kansas City, MO

Seeing Jaire Alexander open up on social media about his mental health struggles last season was really powerful. He's always come across as confident and unshakable, so hearing him talk openly about needing help is a great reminder that anyone can be going through something. How important is it for players like him to speak out, and do you think it's helping change the culture around mental health in the NFL?

It is important, and the culture has been changing. I don't know the specific stats, but more and more clubs now employ a mental health professional in the building full time.

Jeff from Green Bay, WI

Hello, regarding a player being associated with a college, I sure hope NBC SNF does away with the antiquated and tiresome lineup intros where they say their name and school. This certainly means less and less now and should have been ditched years ago.

A lot of guys have said their high school or hometown in recent years. I've got no problem with that. Nobody will ever top Justin Pugh's "straight off the couch" a couple years ago when the Giants pulled him out of retirement earlier that week.

Craig from Sussex, WI

Besides 18 regular-season games, what else do you think will change with the next CBA?

Whatever the owners concede to the players in order to get the 18^th game.

Clayton from Slinger, WI

What is the next big step for Jordan Love to take?

Consistency. I remember talking to McCarthy a couple years into Rodgers' tenure as the starter about what he was looking for from his QB, and he said, "I hope he bores everyone with his consistency."

Doug from Salem, OR

With teams moving to domes, it seems to me the game is less interesting. I understand trying to make it more comfortable for fans, but it eliminates weather as part of the game. Many of the most memorable games were played in inclement weather. Many of my friends disagree. Do you agree with my opinion?

Yes. Happy Friday.

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