Tim from Jupiter, FL

Why does "Bil from Stateline, NV" always misspell his own first name?

There's a middle of the dead zone question if I've ever read one.

John from Portland, OR

So how long before Vikings fans start doing the group rowing move that Norway soccer fans created? And when it happens can we make fun of them for not doing anything original?

See above.

Pete from Galesburg, MI

It doesn't matter what team you root for, the Good Morning America piece with Michael Strahan and Chris Johnson will bring you to tears. Chris, all of the NFL family will be rooting for you.

Amen.

Bill from Forest Park, OH

Another factor in players today being faster than back in the '70s would be the amount of protective padding and gear they wore back then. Safety equipment has become lighter, more effective, and more comfortable to wear over the past 50-plus years. Now I feel old.

That's fair, but I also think if they'd conducted a full scouting combine in the '70s, there wouldn't have been as many guys running 4.3s in shorts and T-shirts.

Gary from Sheboygan, WI

Goooooooood morning. You talked about players getting bigger, stronger, faster. Any concern about players getting too big, too strong? Bones and joints can only take so much. Injuries could become more prevalent with the increases.

I think they already are.

Bill from Raleigh, NC

Hi II, do you think each NFL team will ever be granted one or two medical exceptions where the players are paid if they have season-ending injuries, but their salaries don't count against the cap? It seems we have paid and will continue to pay big bucks for players that then have bad injuries or are coming back from bad injuries. Not getting back on the field as their former selves is devastating to every team's competitiveness (big money, no return) and seems founded on (bad) luck.

There is a ton of luck involved, but I don't see the system changing.

Kelly from Stoughton, WI

Alright let's make sure we beat this thing into the ground. "You gotta take the big plays when they present themselves." But what if you need three yards and the big play presents itself but you have the 3-yard in route for the first down. I think that is the question, how do you draw that line of taking a shot and just getting the first down? As a ride-or-die fan, I want the big play but sometimes the chains moving is more valuable, and AT TIMES, it seems like Jordan Love cannot help himself.

I think that's human nature, as well as the nature of the game. I'm not saying you're wrong. I said from the beginning I understand this perspective. But try looking at it from a different one, which is probably how a play-caller and QB view it: How much does gaining just those three yards increase the chances of scoring points on the drive, versus how much those odds go up if the defensive look they've been waiting for, and game-planning for all week, in order to attack for an explosive gain is suddenly, finally there?

Nathan from Williamstown, MA

Following up on the discussion about personnel packages, let's say starting WR Weston has to come out of the game with a strained pinky finger. Coach taps backup WR Wofford on the sideline and says, "You're now taking over Weston's role in all our packages." What happens to packages that called for both Weston and Wofford to be out on the field? Are those scrapped for the rest of the day? Or does everyone just slide up one spot on the depth chart?

That's what the position coaches have to figure out on the sideline and communicate to everyone. Some personnel packages might have to be scrapped if there isn't an adequate backup to step in. Other reserve players might have more familiarity with other groupings and concepts. Every game plan also has primary personnel packages and secondary ones, based on how much they're expecting to use them. McCarthy always used to say never leave yourself one injury away from being out of a primary package. All those thoughts go into game planning.

Scott from Sheboygan, WI

Are there different personnel groupings for special teams as well? For instance, could different players be used if you're trying to block a punt as opposed to setting up a return? If so, couldn't that tip off the opponent?

That's exactly what teams try to avoid, so they don't tip their hand. Personnel adjustments are made due to injury or performance, but the main unit for punt return/block is generally speaking the same unit ready for a specific call.

Yotam from New Zealand

The stat about the Detroit 2024 draft class really underscores how hard it is to keep a winning football team with the late draft picks it entails. How do the Pack keep doing it when many other teams are flash and burn?

An unprecedented run of elite QB play is the biggest driver there, but it's also avoiding a complete whiff of a draft class. I know Rodgers' second collarbone was an obvious setback in '17, but it also wasn't just a coincidence that after Thompson's worst draft class in '15 (which included Rodgers' backup QB), a couple years later the Packers missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the GM/head coach transitions in '05 and '06.

Chase from Diamond Springs, CA

Talking about the Lions' 2024 draft has me wondering how often you need to hit on players to field a Super Bowl-capable roster. One bad draft or one good draft alone will not sink or champion a team. Holes can be filled with free agents to an extent. I'm thinking a team needs pretty good overall success in the draft over a rolling three-year period – assuming they're paying for the man at QB.

Rolling success is always the goal, and a collection of home run picks over a two- or three-year stretch can put a contender over the top. It took until 2025 for Seattle to get its QB in place, but the '23 draft gave the Seahawks Witherspoon, JSN and Charbonnet. Then the '24 draft got them Murphy, and '25 added Zabel and Emmanwori. That's a ton of high-level play from guys on rookie contracts in their Super Bowl year.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Mike, as I look at this Packers team, the offense outside of WR, QB, and maybe TE consists of question marks. I see uncertainty at RB and all along the O-line. When I look at the defense, while some position battles are unresolved, I see opportunity. My only real concern is at CB. So, the offense would be keeping me awake at night if I were the HC. Is that a fair assessment at this early stage?

The uncertainty at running back is obvious, but "all along the O-line"? Zach Tom's injury is my biggest concern there, and Aaron Banks needs to stay healthy, which he did down the stretch last season. But Sean Rhyan played better ball at center than anywhere else in his young career. Anthony Belton took so seamlessly to right guard his arrow is pointing straight up. And at left tackle the Packers are replacing a seventh-round pick who faltered badly at the end of the season with a first-round pick who's been waiting to play there, and about whom the GM said he did enough to win the job last summer, but because he had the versatility to fill in elsewhere, he became the everyman/super sub. Honestly, I think the line would be worse off if they'd re-signed Walker and kept Jenkins at a spot he didn't particularly care for. The Packers have moved on to the next iteration of the group, and that's a good thing.

Adam from Chippewa Falls, WI

Jordan Morgan. Can he be the next set-it and forget-it left tackle for the Packers?

That's the hope, but one step at a time.

Doug from Neenah, WI

Good morning. Every article written about MarShawn Lloyd lately includes some sentiment along the lines of "the Packers don't know what they have with him." Couldn't the same logic be applied to 2025 draftees Collin Oliver and John Williams? Thanks.

Of course, but when you're a top 100 pick like Lloyd and waited two full years to play, the attention is more significant.

Adrian from Chula Vista, CA

II, has the average fan finally hit the wall? The Buffalo Bills are now ready to play in their new stadium. Great for them! But, the average cost of a ticket to watch the Bills has now risen to over $700 a seat. How does the average Joe or Jane attend a game, let alone bring their family, or purchase season tickets? I think I'll watch from home.

Which the NFL is fine with, honestly, because the TV ratings for its product continue to set records and the really big money is made via the broadcast deals. At some point, if too many high-priced tickets go unsold, the league or individual teams will have to look at pricing structure. But it's currently not an issue, so prices will continue to rise until not enough people are willing to pay them. Does that approach price out the average fan? Yes. Does the league care? Not right now.

Nick from Madison, WI

Where do long snappers come from? I can't imagine many kids discovering a natural talent for this while playing backyard ball.

You'd be surprised. But guys also just pick up the skill along the way, maybe because out of necessity a coach asked him to try it. Matt Orzech was a tight end whose long snapping ended up being his ticket to the NFL.

Todd from Saugus, CA

What's the biggest obstacle the Packers need to overcome in 2026?

Health. Their best players must stay on the field.

Arthur from De Pere, WI

Who do you believe is our toughest competition in the NFC North?

It's the Bears until someone knocks them off their perch.

Matt from New Berlin, WI

The comments about Soldier Field hit home. We just returned from a concert there over the weekend, which was my first time in the stadium. While the city remains one of my favorites, I'm not surprised they are looking to build a new stadium. Soldier Field was difficult to get to, and once inside, it's quite complicated to navigate. We should always be grateful for Lambeau Field!

It's remarkable how many stadiums that were either built or significantly renovated 25 years ago or so are now being replaced.

James from Appleton, WI

We've seen speed rushers run out of speed, and I'm not saying nothing, but what is your confidence level that the best of Micah Parsons is yet to come.

I put nothing past that man. For my Packers Yearbook cover story (shameless plug for everyone to buy the book when it's available in a few weeks), I sat down with him one-on-one for 20 minutes and it was a fascinating look into his psyche and how he's dealing with the first major challenge of his football career. He even said everything in football for him "was easy until Dec. 14," and his resolve to overcome this occupies every ounce of his will.

Jim from St. Pete Beach, FL

Mike, in your answer to Alex from Fort Collins a few days ago when asked about which game you were most anticipating, didn't you mean to extend your answer a bit by saying "the first Jordan Love vs. Allen showdown this season"?

You said that, I didn't.

Mike from Eagle River, WI

Only a doubleheader, but my oldest son and I drove to Lincoln to watch Bucky play the Huskers on Sept. 29, 2012, jumped in the car and made it back for Packers/Saints on Sept. 30. Side note, my late grandfather was Verne Lewellen, former Huskers and Packer legend whose birthday was coincidentally Sept. 29!

Outstanding on all counts.

Mike from Winchester, TN

Hi Mike, after all this time we learned that the asparagus on brats recipe calls for pickled asparagus? Still a no for me.

Me, too.

Matt from Waunakee, WI

My experience is you don't need a six-pack. Just say hello and you'll be offered a brat.

There you have it. Happy Thursday.

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