Paul from Mount Horeb, WI

What surprised you most about the Packers' roster cuts?

Not much, to be honest. I never anticipated them keeping three quarterbacks. I figured they'd go heavy on the defensive line, and somebody was going to be left out. It was an eventful cutdown day, but it wasn't all that surprising.

Troy from Menomonee Falls, WI

On Sunday a lot of young players' life dreams came to an end. It's sad, but still quite an accomplishment to have made it that far. In less than two weeks, fan dreams run into the hard reality of the regular season. We'll see how many of them survive. Of course, it does not take nearly as much effort to be a fan, and there is always next year.

I referred to it as the “agony and ecstasy” of roster cutdown day in the breakdown video we posted on YouTube Monday morning. You don't want to see anyone lose their job, but it's the lifeblood of this high-stakes business. Teams are always trying to get bigger, stronger, faster and younger. At the same time, it's also special to see someone like Anthony Campbell beat the odds to make the 53 in his second NFL camp. He's weathered a few storms, but you can't have the rainbow without the occasional shower.

Paul from Hubertus, WI

I love the fact that J. Michael Sturdivant and Anthony Campbell have made the first cut for the 53. But, until we see where they sit in the first few games, I have to guess they are low on the roster and on the bubble when someone else gets back from PUP or IR. Can you give us any insight into who else might be hanging out with them? Any reassurance for those of us that want them to stick around and succeed?

Making it to the Week 1 roster is a big deal. Because teams have already tipped their hand to the rest of the league about which players they value most. Unfortunately, a lot can happen between now and October on the injury front, too. While it's conceivable the Packers may need to part with someone at some point, roster spots also come available due to injury and attrition. The fact that Green Bay held onto Sturdivant and Campbell through Monday tells me Brian Gutekunst is serious about both sticking.

Bob from Mason, OH

Can't wait for the season to start. As a loyal Packer fan, I always have optimism at the beginning of each season. This season just feels different with many pieces falling in place. Even at the RB position, I like the RB room, and a healthy MarShawn Lloyd will step up and fill the void. Closing with a healthy Micah Parsons might be the key. GPG!

Kaleb Johnson was a good pickup given the circumstances. Lloyd is healthy, but I don't know how comfortable I'd feel about him touching the ball 20 times right away. Johnson is only 23 and has the size and makeup Green Bay covets in its running backs. It's a great opportunity for a fresh start. Chris Brooks and Pierre Strong Jr. are available to lend a hand, too.

Dan from Rice Lake, WI

Some years ago, I spoke with Packers Lombardi-era defensive back Doug Hart about what it took to win a championship. He suggested that all 22 starters needed to be good enough to start somewhere in the league, which when he played was comprised of only 14 teams. Are we there yet?

It's tough to be that deep in the modern era of the NFL with the salary cap. To me, winning a championship is about capturing the moment. That's what Charlie Peprah, Jarrett Bush, James Starks, Frank Zombo and Howard Green did during the Super Bowl XLV run. Would they have started for half the league? Perhaps not, but they played like starters when the Packers needed them most.

Jake from Herriman, UT

We signed Kyle McCord in the spring and flipped him in a few months for a sixth-round pick. That is the same round that produced Mark Chmura, Mason Crosby, James Starks, Doug Evans, Bill Schroeder and Marco Rivera. The Packers' ability to develop quarterbacks is providing extra bites at the apple, which is exactly what a team that routinely picks later in the order needs. Why are so many people upset about that?

Two things can be true – Tyrod Taylor was always going to be QB2 (like I've said a dozen times) and Kyle McCord balled out all summer. He kept stacking days and making plays. McCord is deserving of the roster spot Miami has given him and the Packers are worthy of the sixth-round pick they received for shining a light on his talent. Given Matt LaFleur's track record, I'm excited to see what he does with whichever QB3 walks through the doors next.

Dustin from Kansas City, MO

I had been patiently waiting for someone to chime in and try to argue that McCord was better than Jordan Love. Never saw it in here so I thought maybe, just maybe, everyone here had decided to use their critical thinking skills to deduce that preseason and regular season competition simply cannot be compared. Then I read the II yesterday and once again lost a little faith in humanity. Thanks, Bob.

You know what else I love about those arguments? Who traded for Malik Willis, Bob? And who signed Kyle McCord? Brian Gutekunst sees their potential. His name was on all the paperwork, but there's a stark difference between developing QBs and developing a franchise QB.

Kelly from Kimballton, IA

Any shocking cuts around the league?

I was surprised to see Tennessee washing its hands of Will Levis after what happened with Willis two years ago. It was disappointing to see the New York Giants part with Lucas Patrick, who still has plenty left in the tank at 33. The guy easily could've started for them last year. Dallas cutting Joe Milton on Monday also was interesting.

Travis from Fort Walton Beach, FL

I'm wondering if the Miami and Pittsburgh trades were meant to be a three-way trade. I might be very wrong, but I'm looking at it as BG upgrading a practice squad player (Kyle McCord) to a position of need (RB) for free. Am I wrong to look at it that way?

Not at all, though the Packers are sending their 2028 sixth-round pick to Pittsburgh for Johnson and keeping Miami's sixth.

Jim from Escanaba, MI

With the suspension of Josh Jacobs, it certainly was apparent BG would be in the market to acquire a RB. I'm a little surprised he didn't go the proven veteran route given the several FA available. Of course, the veteran option would almost certainly be a short-term solution and the second-year player, if productive, could become a long-term solution. Either way, this is now the opportunity of his career for Lloyd.

They're available for a reason, though. In my experience, it's usually better to try to find a young running back whose career is still ahead of him than trying to catch lightning in a bottle with an unattached veteran. The position is so demanding, and the tread comes off the tire quicker there than most positions.

Dar from Mansfield, TX

Wes, is it possible Kamal Hadden's newfound ability to play both corner and nickel gave Gutey the flexibility to keep one fewer defensive back on the 53, thus creating room for an extra lineman (or two)? As I like to opine, one thing leads to another, and to another, and to another, and to…

And Hadden plays special teams, too. Realistically, I think the only thing Hadden needed to do was prove to the Packers he's all the way back from the ankle injury. They love his playstyle. His ability to rotate at nickel was just the icing on top of everything.

Herb from Mosier, OR

Hi Wes. Greetings from clear (no more smoke) skies Oregon. I'm intrigued by the trade for Kaleb Johnson. How does a RB who was All-Big Ten and first team All-American last until the third round of the draft? And then sit on the bench for almost the entire season in Pittsburgh? Did the Packers interview him before the draft? Something doesn't add up. Are there any rumors regarding his attitude? Please investigate and report back. Also, after last weekend I hope you and Mike have a good three-day vacay.

I don't know all the particulars, but Johnson sort of reminds me of the running back version of Malik Willis. He never really got a shot in Pittsburgh. It seems like Johnson got off to a rough start last year with the kickoff return fiasco against Seattle and the writing was on the wall from there. The Packers quite clearly had their eye on Johnson. They would've had the pick of the litter on waivers, otherwise.

Matt from Omaha, NE

I like the idea of adding a veteran in Jonnu Smith to the tight end room. Do you think he can at least partially get back to his 2024 form? I believe a lot of his lack of production last year was due to the scheme in which he played, never receiving the downfield targets he did in Miami.

Barring injury, it's hard to see Smith getting the number of targets he did in Miami, but I still think he's a great fit for this offense. As much as we've talked about Green Bay needing an in-line blocking tight end like Mark Redman, it could use a veteran like Smith who's experienced and comfortable in that H-back role.

Mark from Dallas, TX

I know there's limited "game planning" for preseason and it's all pretty vanilla, but do you think the performance of the special teams there may be more predictive of regular season than offense/defense? If nothing else, more players who will actually be on teams doing so throughout preseason than those who will be off/def starters.

We'll see what it all means here in a couple weeks, but I'm encouraged with how well the kickoff and punt return teams blocked. I also love Cam Achord's vibe. He's brought a confidence and energy to special teams I haven't felt during my 15 season covering the team. Hopefully, it translates to regular-season play.

David from Howards Grove, WI

Hey Insiders, now that Sunday's 53-man roster axe has officially fallen, the wait for Monday's practice squad announcements feels like watching water boil. How early do the scouts start chugging coffee on Monday morning to sort through the waiver wire scraps? And if you could sneak one surprise player back onto the 16-man squad without anyone noticing, who is your absolute must-have guy?

I was pleased Nyjalik Kelly made it through after a strong finish to the preseason. I would've loved to see Nazir Stackhouse make it, too, but also happy to see him get another shot in Tennessee.

Matt from Sioux Falls, SD

Did having a limited number of draft picks this past year and a nice surplus in the future factor in the trades that happened at RB and TE?

I think that's fair. The Packers are projected to have 11 draft picks with next year's projected compensatory picks and the two additional selections they received from Philly for Dontayvion Wicks. With only six selections this past year, it made sense for Gutekunst to spend his future surplus to augment positions he didn't have the capital to address this past April.

Eric from Wrightstown, WI

Have you ever heard of a player so angry/distraught at being cut that he went full-on Ricky Vaughn? Really hope Cal Adomitis lands somewhere. By all accounts he did a great job while Matt Orzech healed, then he gets a pat on the back and a thanks for holding Orzech's beer. It's a tough business!

And two phenomenal guys, too. I didn't want to see either leave. I get the questions from fans, but I'm not crunching long snapper film. If Gutekunst, LaFleur and Achord feel Orzech is healthy and ready to go, then giddy-up.

Carl from Onalaska, WI

Bob from Orland Park thinks McCord is better than Love? That's a HOF-worthy (not in a good way) submission.

I'm sure Bob was in the "Start Clifford, cut Love" crowd three years ago.

Chuck from St Augustine, FL

What is the difference between being on PUP at the start of the season and being placed on IR-designated to return on cutdown day?

Both are required to miss at least four games, but clubs can only designate up to eight players to return off IR during the regular season. PUP players don't count towards that limit.

Jeff from Woodridge, IL

I'm still concerned about the QB decision…and hated to see that trade. I guess the brass saw something between the skills of those two players to land the decision the way they did? Good, promising QBs don't grow on trees. Am I overvaluing the play in the preseason games?

Probably, but most of you have been doing that all training camp so why break precedent now?

Pat from Indian Land, SC

Correct me if I am wrong but will the first chance anyone, including any sportswriters, gets to see our newest players in action will be in the first game? I believe that all practices are closed to public and any other visitors.

Sorta. We'll see Kaleb Johnson and Mark Redman during the individual portions of practice open to the media, which is akin to puppy shopping through the window.

Joe from Swansea, IL

So, working at II is comparable to serving on a submarine? If so, guys, make sure the windows are closed, and keep your head above water. GPG!

I haven't earned the right to compare the two, though it does sometimes feel like I'm underwater on days we don't see the sun.

Kevin from Indianapolis, IN

Welp. Nov. 25 got a lot more interesting.

The Packers will need someone on the interior to do their best Elgton Jenkins impersonation on Thanksgiving Eve.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

Joke's on Aaron Donald. Now he has to wait five more years to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Now he has a chance to go into Canton with Aaron Rodgers if both call it a career after 2026.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Aug. 31, the seventh year since my brother died in a motorcycle accident. Sept. 1 marks 20 years since my dad died at age 61. Both were huge Packers fans. I'm ready for the season, just limping through these two days.

Thinking of you this week, Jeffrey. We're almost there.

Eric from Flagstaff, AZ

It seems a lot of teams are trading 2008 draft picks. What happened to 2007?

I ask myself that at least once a week.

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