Inbox: It's viewed as a bonus

Geoffrey from North Osman, WI

Down to the sock color…shot and goal.

Beauty.

Matt from Madison, WI

Here are my predictions for the Packers in 2026. The Packers will win at least one game, and some fans will complain about how they won. The Packers will lose at least one game, and some fans will expect someone to lose their job. The refs will make at least one mistake.

Also nicely done.

Kevin from Windsor, CA

Given that you two are Packer employees (or should I say future Hall of Famers), when there is a college game or a concert at Lambeau, do you get to pull out your all-access card and go to that event? Curious minds want to know.

Nope. We have to buy tickets like anybody else. In this case, I did not.

Kim from Hudson, WI

Just read Mr. Policy's article and Markus' letter and am looking for the onions that someone must have left in my house. I hope his letter reaches those players he mentioned. It's not just a game for many of us.

I've come to understand that better while writing this column.

Devin from Bondurant, IA

I thought that the time had passed when I submitted this, but after further review it was deemed that there was in fact one (phantom) second left and this thread made the deadline… college football man.

Replay review remains a necessary component of the major sports landscape in the current high def/super slo-mo viewing world, but the ultimate unintended consequence is it continues to change calls nobody asked it to fix.

Gino from Mission Viejo, CA

Can a practice squad player decline to join another team's 53-man roster just because he wants to stay with his current team? I understand that they will lose a lot of money, probably but hoping for a better future with the current team.

The only time a player is compelled to go somewhere else is when claimed on waivers or traded. A PS player can decline a contract offer for another team's 53, but it's rare now because PS salaries are codified in the CBA and the player's original team can't just offer more money to stick around.

Gordon from Newport Beach, CA

As much as we'd all like to see MarShawn Lloyd tote the rock, are we overlooking the bigger concerns? He had eight fumbles in 32 college games, and since entering the NFL he's had nearly two years derailed by injuries, including a recurring hamstring issue that wiped out his 2025 season. How much do ball security, durability and his limited exposure to live contact factor into how aggressively the Packers are willing to use him?

As I've said all along, I expect the Packers to be smart here. But there isn't exactly a handbook for managing such a unique situation. There will be trial and error involved.

Keith from Dodgeville, WI

Guys, I saw a picture of Lloyd and Johnson together and Kaleb Johnson looked a lot bigger. Which one of those two is the fastest?

Lloyd. He clocked a 4.46 in the 40 at the combine as a draft prospect. Johnson's time was 4.57.

Mike from Madison, WI

Many people (including II) have discussed the importance of the starting O-line getting reps together. What is it about the O-line that makes this so much more important? It seems to me in a team sport like football, getting reps together would help no matter the position. But we don't emphasize the importance of the starting D-line getting reps together.

Because there's so much communication, verbal and otherwise, along the O-line from play to play. There are different ways to pick up different blitzes, and working together helps figure out the most efficient methods. Stunts up front create pass-off assignments that are harder to do smoothly when linemen haven't played together. Run blocking often involves starting with a double-team, and then having one lineman peel off and move up to the second level. That requires timing and feel with the double-team partner. The list goes on. There's a lot that needs to be in sync for an offensive line to play its best and to play as one unit.

TK from Grafton, WI

Regarding the difficulty of success on either side of the ball: on offense, it takes SEVERAL players executing well, whereas on defense, sometimes just ONE guy can wreck the shop. Mostly true? Or untrue?

Definitely some truth to that. The one guy who can wreck shop on defense may still need his teammates to do their jobs reasonably well, and offensive players can compensate on the fly for a missed assignment here or there. But on balance, a single defensive player winning his one-on-one has a greater chance for impact than a sole offensive player doing so.

Justin from Thousand Oaks, CA

Just to reinforce the importance of the team playing better at the end of the season vs the beginning, two scores to keep in mind from Week 1 last year: Las Vegas over New England, 20-13, and 49ers over Seattle, 17-13.

And it's also worth pointing out the Packers' last two defensive coordinator debuts: 38-3 L vs. Saints (at Jacksonville) in 2021 and 34-29 L vs. Eagles (at Brazil) in 2024. Both of those teams had three losses heading into December.

Trent from Laurel, NE

What is your "unpopular" or "bold" differing prediction about a player or a group (O-line, TEs, DBs, LBs etc.,) that others either inside or outside the organization (your choice on the route to take this) have either been too quiet about or even oversold in terms of on-the-field play this year?

I'll repeat what I've said several times in this space and on "Unscripted" about the offensive line. I understand the angst and skepticism. I do. But (1) I think Jordan Morgan can be an upgrade at left tackle over Walker, (2) having someone take ownership at right guard should be better than the musical chairs at that spot for the last handful of years, and (3) Sean Rhyan has a chance to grow at a center position where last year's experiment with the since departed Pro Bowl guard didn't work out. The unit has to prove it over time, but I think it can be considerably better than last year's group.

Jesus from El Paso, TX

Mike mentioned having to wait and see how Trey Smack and Brandon Cisse respond to adversity as rookies. How much will locker room culture and coaching style affect their resilience?

It matters, and I think the Packers have a solid culture in that regard. But it still mostly comes down to the individuals and how they go about being pros.

Jeffery from Monticello, WI

Hi guys, Chris McClellan looked like a man among boys in college, hope he can continue to master his craft and get there in the NFL as well. With his potential how long do you believe it will take for him to shine so to speak?

Let's see how many snaps he gets and for which situations he rotates in. That'll tell us how the coaches feel he can best help the defense.

Tony from Aurora, CO

Sorry if this has already been answered. But it seems an advantage in Week 1 that Gannon knows Kyler so well. Or is everyone such a pro that this connection doesn't mean much in the end?

As Wes said, they know a lot about one another, so it cuts both ways. But there's also a ton of variation. Murray is running a different offense, and Gannon is calling a defense with different players.

Amy from Hudson, WI

There's a good chance we'll need Jonnu Smith, Mark Redman and Kaleb Johnson to contribute sooner rather than later. All three have mentioned some familiarity with our offense. How much of a factor is that when deciding what players to bring in late in the preseason?

I think it's viewed as a bonus. The personnel department's goal is to find talented players who fit the culture, because the rest can be taught over time. If that timeline is sped up due to prior knowledge, all the better, but it isn't the deciding factor. (And thanks for your other note, too, Amy. All good.)

Steve from Surprise, AZ

I know Tucker Kraft, the Packers, and fans want to get his contract completed this week. If not completed by Week 1, has either side stated they will not negotiate until after the end of the season?

Not that I'm aware of.

Brad from Bozeman, MT

Hi Mike, I put a dent in the cooler last night reading all the Inboxes, articles, and analyzing the 53 and practice rosters. I also was able to listen to the last two "Unscripteds" driving back to Montana. I think you and Wes nailed the state of the team and the roster construction. I see it this way. From top to bottom, we have savvy veterans, hungry rookies, and ascending middle-year players. Hats off to Gutey. I think this is the best roster in the Jordan Love era. Do you agree?

When fully healthy, yes.

Steve from Rockford, IL

Just curious what tools you have available when you're in the press box watching a game. Do you use binoculars to zoom in on a play? Or do you just use video monitors in replay? Are there any other tools you use? I plan to attend a game this year and will bring my binoculars to watch some action, especially the line.

I've got no chance to use binoculars while constantly typing in the live blog. I do use the TV monitors in the press box to try to catch replays, if I'm lucky enough to look up at the right time.

Chris from Kennesaw, GA

I abhor the view that without Micah Parsons the Packers are doomed. None of the other teams have Parsons, and very few have a similar weapon. Granted we have a better edge when he plays. I also get the intangibles. But this is a team sport. Solid consistent O-line play, Love being able to use his plethora of weapons. Fast, aggressive, disguised defense, consistent solid special teams play, disciplined flag-less play across all three phases. I'm more excited for Weeks 1-5. It's a team sport! Thoughts?

Coming with the caveat that nothing stays the same in this sport, all I know is the team everybody's picking to repeat as NFC North champs was down big, twice, at home, to a Green Bay team missing four of its top 10 players late last season, and three of those four should be back for Week 1.

Brian from Pensacola, FL

I like the glass half full perspective with Parsons' injury going into this year. We get a rotation of some young bloods looking to make an early impact in real games, not preseason. When Parsons comes back, he'll be fresh and we'll have a new level of experienced depth in a system that every other team wants to get tape on as they figure out what's new. Then glass 90% full, you get a new impact player not on tape in the new system that takes more time to plan against.

The best part is the Packers have a highly seasoned, experienced defensive coordinator putting this all together as they go.

Donn from Oshkosh, WI

Who was the undrafted rookie that started the 22-year undrafted rookie streak?

I believe it started in 2005 with LB Roy Manning and OL Chris White. Manning played almost every game in that undrafted rookie year.

John from Austin, TX

Any idea if or when The University of Wisconsin band shall appear at a Packer game this season? Thanks for the informative inspirational writing!

I'll have to check on that.

Jake from Winston Salem, NC

Hi Insiders. Over the weekend, news came out that the Hall of Fame is overhauling the selection process. Can you summarize what changes were made and how the changes impact Mike Holmgren's candidacy? Thanks for all you do.

The short version is the HOF cut the selection committee roughly in half and eliminated the seniors category, so all players are in the same pool no matter how long they've been retired (with the minimum five years for eligibility still in place). As for Holmgren, there will be one coach nominated as a finalist for consideration each year. The question for him is when (if?) he gets that chance again, having already been pushed forward during the more convoluted process, and when Bill Belichick needs to be the guy this year while two-time Super Bowl winners like Mike Shanahan and Tom Coughlin haven't had their opportunity yet.

Paul from Ellensburg, WA

Hey fellas, I was just wondering how many times you have used or will use a variant of "we'll see" in the Inbox before the first game? It feels like we've ruminated on every meaningful question ad nauseam and just have to face the fact that the cards are in the hand and we won't know if we win until they're played.

No lie told.

William from Dallas, TX

And since it is finally Week 1, can we "Just beat the Vikings!"?

Happy Monday.

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