Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

Brian Gutekunst's press conferences are always very eye-opening for me. I feel like I usually learn at least one thing I didn't know about football or the process behind closed doors. This last one included his comment about how hard it is to find big guys later in the year. You see the initial 53 include seven DL and 10 OL while some promising young receivers and DBs don't make the cut. Injuries are a when not if proposition. Seems like our GM has a good handle on this whole team-building operation.

I appreciate the insight into the Packers' thought process when building their 53-man roster. Offensive line and defensive line are not glamorous positions, but they are critical to a team's success. If you don't have enough available big men, it's not easy to find them in a pinch during the season. As much as we discuss quarterbacks here, we probably don't write enough about how it takes a year or two for O-linemen to grow into their body, position, and playstyle. Sean Rhyan is the perfect example of that. Development ain't always fun, but it's worth it in the end. That's why the Packers invest in their fronts.

Mark from Austin, TX

I'm really loving the moves at tight end. There were a number of articles about how the Rams lead the league, by a lot, in three-TE formations, which averaged a phenomenal 8.3 yards per play. I applaud their creative play calling that keeps defenses guessing. Hoping to see more innovation from the GB play calling this year.

Historically, tight ends have been the secret ingredient for the Shanahan/McVay/LaFleur offenses. There is just so much you can do with them.

Troy from Menomonee Falls, WI

I found it interesting how the Packers engineered keeping Pierre Strong Jr. on the roster. After a good game against Denver, the fact they hardly played him against Arizona suggests they already knew they wanted to keep him at some level but did not want him to look too good to another team. Trading for Kaleb Johnson, perhaps unintentionally, further sent the message the Packers didn't think Strong was ready for primetime. I imagine teams have to handle players a bit like a magician at times.

I don't think that's true. Strong has been in primetime as a former fourth-round pick who's played in 46 NFL games. The decision was based more on the Packers revisiting a player, in Johnson, that they've long had their eye on…for the low price of a sixth-round pick.

John from Jupiter, FL

Morning Wes. With the roster basically set including the new additions, my two major concerns are running back and pass rush. Not a lot of past production there. Your thoughts? Thanks.

I hear you. There's questions to answer at both spots, but I'd argue there's also more potential at running back and edge rusher than any other positions on the roster. We still haven't seen the best of MarShawn Lloyd, Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell and Brenton Cox Jr. Throw Johnson in the mix, and I like the Packers' chances for unearthing some new proven playmakers. Never forgo an opportunity to get better in this league.

Doug from Neenah, WI

Good morning, Wes. What similarities do you see between the signing of Jonnu Smith and Marcedes Lewis...both on the field and in the locker room? Thanks.

Different tight ends, but I already can tell Smith brings similar wisdom to the locker room. You kind of forget Lewis' run in Green Bay ended before Tucker Kraft arrived. Kraft actually pointed out how he’s never had an established vet in the room with him until now and he is excited about that.

Adam from Madison, WI

On to the Vikings. Their improvement from 2023 to 2024 was largely catching lighting in a bottle with a bunch of one-year free agents playing well. They clearly made some poor choices on who to keep, dropping off last year. It seems they are grabbing for straws again.

Listen, the Vikings were a quarterback short of contending last year. I just have two questions now: Is this roster as good as last year's and will Kyler Murray regain form in Minnesota? If either of those answers is no, it could be a long year for the Vikings.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, how do you assess Kedon Slovis over Kyron Drones? What did the Packers see or not see that they decided to move on?

Respectfully, the Packers moved on from Drones weeks ago and he didn't sign to another team's 90-man roster. Slovis is a former All-Pac-12 quarterback who's been in the NFL for a couple years now. Slotted fourth on Arizona's QB depth chart, Slovis was left looking for a job after camp and this is an excellent opportunity to be QB3. The 25-year-old did some good things in the preseason, including his outing against Green Bay. Onward and upward.

Patrick from Paducah, KY

Everyone is certainly needing Week 1 to get here soon as evidenced by a "Ginger Wolverine" to Tom Crabtree fake FG reference...which happened in another big, early season divisional game exactly 14 years to the day from when we will take on the Vikings. Good omen, yes?

That was my first full year covering the Packers and I remember thinking to myself, "Is it always like this?"

Steven from Frisco, TX

I read somewhere that NFL defenses are playing significantly more two-high safety schemes because of the pass-heavy offenses that have developed. If the Packers face a lot of this style of defense, and they probably will, will they be able to produce a running game that brings one of the safeties up into the box to open up the field for the talented group of receivers? Will it matter?

If defenses play two high, you have to run well against it or it's gonna be bad news for your passing game. Just ask the 2011-12 Packers. Certainly, Green Bay needs more from its ground game. Josh Jacobs made a hay in sparce fields last year and it's going to be on everyone on offense to do better in 2026. The Packers' offensive line needs to generate more push, and the backfield has gotta attack holes and make defenders miss at the second level.

Steve from Ankeny, IA

I find the Packers picking up Kaleb Johnson to be an interesting paradox. His final season at the University of Iowa was dynamic (I am NOT a Hawkeye fan!). He set multiple team records while averaging 6.6 yards per carry, yet the Steelers gave him one year with 28 attempts. With Jacobs out, he will certainly have his chance to prove himself.

That's all Johnson is asking for.

Terry from Green Bay, WI

Good morning, Wes. Last week you said, "Tyrod Taylor is QB2. Period." Ever since Josh Sitton was surprisingly released, I never felt that confident about anyone's position on the team (except for maybe half the starters). But you were right. Could you share what made you so confident in Taylor? We've seen the last couple of years how important QB2 can be. Help the average fan who has only seen the preseason games believe Taylor can win a few games if needed. Thanks.

I explained my rationale for weeks in Inbox and will let my responses carry the day on the QB2 questions. Simply put, the Packers didn't sign Taylor for the preseason. They signed him for the regular season as a veteran QB with 62 regular-season starts and a lot of institutional knowledge to pass onto Jordan Love. That's why he's here and McCord is not.

Eric from De Pere, WI

Do games missed on commissioner's list count against a subsequent suspension for the same cause?

Yes.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Wes, we know the Packers now have their initial 53, and we're all counting down to the opener in Minnesota. On gameday, the maximum allowable "active" players is 48. In my ideal world, all players on the 53 would be active for every game. What's the rationale for requiring inactive players? More directly, who benefits from limiting the number of active players?

The gameday roster limit evens the playing field while dissuading injured players from playing before they are ready. It also prohibits teams from disguising whether a player is unavailable.

Gents from Summerville, SC

Gents, who will be wearing the green dot on defense this year? Zaire Franklin? Edgerrin Cooper? Or one of the safeties?

Are you asking us or talking to yourself? But it's Franklin.

Jim from Baytown, TX

Everyone seems to be looking for explosiveness on offense as the key to this season. I would maintain that creating turnovers is way further up the list. We were abysmal creating turnovers last year. That absolutely has to get turned around. If you need proof, look at the Bears...without their turnover performance last year they're 8-8 at best. Thoughts?

Yes, on all fronts. The Packers need more takeaways this year, but we only can eulogize the 2025 season so much. It's September 2026. Let's see what happens.

Noel from Norwalk, CA

Greetings! As the preseason has faded and summer relinquishes to fall, there is plenty afoot and one picture can generate a lot of interest. I was perusing the pictures in yesterday's Inbox; one piqued my curiosity. The picture showed the players practicing on Clark Hinkle Field with Lambeau in the background. It was truly a majestic and awe-inspiring shot. To practice so close to where the games are played must be very comforting for the players. Thanks for what you do!

As cool as that visual is, it's even more fun looking through the 1960s portraits where there is nothing but a parking lot and the players' cars in the backdrop of practice. There isn't even a mesh fence protecting the field.

Jim from Eau Claire, WI

When I submitted this question, five Packers had been claimed by other teams: DL Nazir Stackhouse claimed off waivers by Tennessee Titans, WR Will Sheppard and CB Jaylin Simpson signed to Dolphins' practice squad, OL Darian Kinnard signed to Giants' practice squad, and TE Messiah Swinson signed to Browns' practice squad. Also, Kyle McCord traded to Dolphins. Is this the most players claimed from one NFL team?

And Shermar Bartholomew signed to Tennessee's practice squad, too. It's impossible to compare to the rest of the NFL because I don't know where all the players who signed to practice squads were previously, but obviously the Packers constructed a talented 91-man roster. Their performance against Denver and Arizona speaks to that.

Sue from Three Lakes, WI

Could you refresh my memory please? When a PS player is added to the 53, he must remain there for how many games? When we return him to the PS, does he need to clear waivers?

You can sign your own practice-squad player for the game and cut him the next day if you want. He will need to clear waivers, though. That's how Green Bay temporarily lost Brant Banks last year. But teams can perform that transaction on a weekly basis. It's only when you sign a player off another team's practice squad that you are obligated to pay him for three weeks regardless of whether he stays on the roster.

Bill from Menominee, MI

I'm guessing practice-squad players are in all of the position group meetings preparing for the Packers' opponent-specific gameplan. Are they also in special scout team meetings where they are preparing to mimic the opponents in practices? Or is this more on the coaches to put the scout team in already known packages that reflect the opponent's playstyle without specifically training them on key formations prior to practice?

That's what "carded" periods are for, but there obviously is an expectation for practice-squad players to be well-studied and know their assignments.

Josh from Green Bay, WI

Exciting weekend in Green Bay with Notre Dame and Wisconsin playing at Lambeau on Sunday. Will either of you be joining Matt Lepay on stage at Leicht Park for the "Badger Bash North"? Go Bucky!

I'll be on my couch watching the Italian Grand Prix.

Jakester from Bradenton, FL

Hi Insiders: Just wanted to give you both a shout out for your video presentations on Three Things and "Unscripted." Some reporters struggle to transition from writing copy for print/online to on-camera reporting. You have mastered both forms of reporting Packers news. Clear, concise, informative, personable. I'm impressed with what I see on camera and read online. As a former Milwaukee TV guy, I have perspective.

I appreciate you taking the time to send that, Jakester. Made my day. We try.

Douglas from Harbor Springs, MI

I completely agree with Paul from Staunton, Va. I've thought the same thing many times over the years. I'm glad he took the time to voice it.

How brave of you both. Inspiring, really.

Chase from Diamond Springs, CA

Re: Paul. When you answer outrageous takes seriously, you're welcoming conversation based on an outrageous premise. So why not ignore it? If Spoff doesn't post a question like that, he's accused of not answering challenging questions. So Spoff effectively gives them their spotlight while simultaneously shining light on the fact it's an outrageous take. If they don't like it, they can ask more measured or thoughtful questions.

Bingo.

Brent from Delano, MN

In answer to Paul from VA, Bob's question about the quarterbacks was either a troll trying to elicit a reaction or so rooted in football ignorance to not garner a respectful answer. I have a ton of respect for the work Mike and Wes do on a daily basis, keeping this column fun and informative without devolving into the base speculation that is so prevalent on the web. How do you both maintain your positive interaction with the II when so many people seem to be trying to throw figurative punches?

The 90% of readers who legitimately want the best for their favorite football team and not a reason to howl at the moon.

Steve from Land O Lakes, FL

I've been waiting with bated breath to see the II "All questions answered with one word" Day. Do you think it will happen before the season starts?

Possibly, if we stay at this pace.

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