Inbox: Most players didn't even know

Rio from St Johnsbury, VT

Hi II, I'm chewing my nails off waiting for the season opener. What do you think will be the biggest surprise when we meet the Lions?

The unscouted looks between the two NFC North rivals should be fun to watch, especially with the Packers having a full offseason to dial up plays for their plethora of skill-position players. The Lions can throw some curveballs, too, with new coordinators on both sides of the ball. It feels like we're less than an hour away from our destination on the road trip. You just wanna get there.

Ricia from St Johnsbury, VT

Hey II guys, thanks for keeping us all together and informed in this difficult time of the year. What's the latest word on Jordan Love's thumb and handoff ability?

Love isn't doing handoffs or center-quarterback exchanges yet. I assume that's a next week sorta thing if everything checks out. He looked good throwing the ball, though.

Oscar from Boston, MA

Given that there has been, and that there will likely be more 7-on-7, it feels as though it greatly favors the offense. Am I wrong in that? Additionally, what do the linemen do during 7-on-7? Are they just watching or do they do other drills? I can't tell exactly how good our WR depth is; my presumption is that our fifth WR is probably around most teams' third WR. Is that about right in your view?

Green Bay has a deep receiving corps. We just haven't been able to see it all together yet. The Packers added some distraction in front of Love during Tuesday's practice, having some of the equipment guys hold tackling dummies in front of Love. But the Packers' quarterback still completed 10-of-11 passes during the drill and the only incompletion being off a receiver's hands.

Luke from Dubuque, IA

It sure looks like Brandon McManus has fun on his days off from kicking...pulling pranks on his fellow teammates. I imagine it's a fun, but serious, atmosphere around Ray Nitschke Field this time of year before the bologna stops.

The best part is most players didn't even know. I personally love the idea of having a lighthearted moment like that to offset the camp grind. It also was Mark McNamee's day to kick, so the opportunity was there for McManus to have a little veteran fun. He'll be back to his usual kicking duties during today's practice with Seattle while NFL referee Brad Rogers and his crew handle the flag-tossin'.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Please complete the following sentence: The player that has caught my eye in training camp and has made a significant progression up the depth chart is ___.

Matthew Golden for reasons we've previously discussed. But this question made me think: Has anyone had a more meteoric rise than Keisean Nixon? He signed with Green Bay in 2022 after not even receiving a restricted tender offer from the Las Vegas Raiders. The first-right-of-refusal tender was $2.4 million that year. Wild stuff. Nixon started as a core special teams player and a backup cornerback in Green Bay and three years later is a two-time All-Pro kickoff returner and starting perimeter corner. Nixon is everything that's great about the National Football League.

Frank from Wake Forest, NC

I heard Larry say we have two guys who can play LT on the roster at a high level. I recall Elgton Jenkins playing left tackle and comments in II about how well he could play there. We had David Bakhtiari, so he returned to LT when he was ready. Am I overthinking this?

Jenkins was very good at both tackle spots. While Jenkins could always slide back there in a pinch, the Packers need him most right now at center. That's his charge and the two-time Pro Bowler is up for tackling that challenge.

Steve from Grawn, MI

Hey Inboxers! The question about two-a-day practices, as well as the answer, hit home for me. As a high school player for four years some time ago, I never dreaded anything as much as those two-a-days in the hot, humid late summer. I remember reading about Jerry Kramer's dread of those as well in "Instant Replay." Given they are (rightfully to me) now gone, what is the toughest part or element of practices these days?

It's probably more mental than physical now with all the meetings players endure. Don't get me wrong – this game is still physically taxing on players, but it's all ball from dawn till dusk. When guys aren't on the field practicing or in the weight room, they're in the classroom during camp. Young guys on the bubble are putting in overtime, too, to learn everything there is to learn about the playbook and preparing for the next day's practice.

Tom from Emerado, ND

I am impressed with Israel Abanikanda. He has the ability to go from stop to full speed in two steps. When he learns to use that to get to the edge, he will make some nice long runs. Is he close enough on the depth chart to stay on practice squad or challenge the 53-man roster?

It's always tough to crack the 53 when a player arrives late, but it's been done before. I like Abanikanda a lot. He jump-cuts the way the Packers like and embraces contact. With MarShawn Lloyd dealing with the hamstring injury, all those young running backs should be in for another busy week in both the joint practice and preseason game itself.

Joshua from Gulfport, MS

If Malik Willis is in his last year of his rookie contract, he's good and young enough for teams to overspend in FA and at very minimum, compete for a starting job. This means we have almost 0% shot at re-signing him. That being said, why not shop him around right now? IMO it's better to get rid of him a year early and get something in return than letting him walk without any compensation in the offseason.

I don't know how many times I need to write this…the Packers will get compensation for Willis in the form of a compensatory pick if he signs elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent next offseason. With how much QBs make these days, that could easily net the Packers a Round 3-5 selection in the 2027 NFL Draft. Green Bay has championship aspirations for this year. That's enough for me to hang onto the insurance Willis provides behind Love.

Tim from Olathe, KS

Insiders, we signed Aaron Banks and draft high picks Jordan Morgan and Anthony Belton because they are physical players. Do you feel we are showing signs of being a more physical team this year?

I think so, as much as you can in practice. Belton certainly needed to keep his emotions in check, but there's a little nasty there you can't help but like. He ain't afraid to mix it up.

John from Lakeland, FL
Out of the first nine games, only two have a noon CT kickoff. Do most players prefer a specific game time start?

I think most prefer noon starts, though there is novelty being the game everyone is watching in the primetime slots. But talking with Josh Myers last year, he mentioned how noon games allow players to better stay in a routine. It also doesn't hurt to be home for dinner.

Scott from Sussex, WI

Green Bay has a bit of a history turning receivers into corners in the Ron Wolf era and after, don't they? I remember Herb Waters, read about Bucky Brooks, and now Bo Melton. Are there any others?

Brandon Smith, James Nixon and Kabion Ento were the others I came up with during my time on the beat. Obviously, there also are a few examples of receivers who switched to corner in college like Sam Shields.

Herb from Mosier, OR

We're rapidly approaching one of the happiest and saddest days for Packers players. Who informs the players of their fate? If it's their position coach, does MLF join in? Do any of the players who get cut get an additional stipend for travel? I imagine it's also a difficult day for you guys, too. Do you have a routine you follow on cut-down day? Are there any players that you've stayed in contact with after they leave?

It's a bittersweet day. It's nice being another step closer to the regular season, but you hate seeing people lose their job, especially when a few guys may never play the game again. I don't know the specifics of the Packers' process, but most NFL personnel departments inform players when they're being let go. I thought something cool Green Bay did last year is it let the position coaches inform guys on the bubble that they did make the roster. The Packers will arrange travel for players who don't return on the practice squad. For us, it's mostly tracking all the happenings and being ready with a "Here's the 53-man roster" story when everything is official.

John from Stevens Point, WI

Why does the NFL take a week off in between the last preseason game and the start of the regular season? I understand the league taking time off between the last playoff game and the Super Bowl to build the hype, but taking off a week in between the preseason and first regular-season game seems counterintuitive. Explain.

That's the spot where the fourth preseason game used to reside. It was left vacant to not only give players a mini-bye before the start of the regular season but also because the NFL doesn't want to start the season before Labor Day.

Phil from Paris, IL

I noticed on your answer today when talking about the linebackers making the most improvement this year, you left out Isaiah Simmons. Is there any particular reason why? Do you feel like Ty'Ron Hopper has passed him by on the LB depth chart? Look forward to this column every day and just wanted to thank you both! GPG!

I don't want to speak for Mike, but I'm guessing his answer had more to do with the fact – unlike the other four linebackers mentioned – Simmons wasn't here last year. Independent of anything Simmons is doing, Hopper has grown significantly as both a linebacker and the key communicator on Green Bay's second-team unit.

Jon from Willmar, MN

Will Taylor Elgersma make the practice squad?

I'd say it's too close to call between Elgersma and Sean Clifford in that battle for QB3. I felt both quarterbacks came to play with their allotted snaps in Indianapolis. We'll see how they fare this week against the Seahawks.

Dave from Germantown, TN

For the purpose of releasing a veteran player to create a spot for an injured player to go on IR and be able to return later in the season, what is the definition of a veteran?

Four vested seasons (a.k.a. players who have reached unrestricted free agency). However, the league recently changed its cut-down rules and teams now have the option to designate up to two players to return from injured reserve while setting their initial 53. So, you no longer have to carry a player one day on the active before placing him on IR (unless you have three players you wish to DTR).

Riley from Green Bay, WI

Will the draft ever be held in Wisconsin again?

I think so and hopefully before I hang up the Steno book.

Mark from Adelaide, Australia

In the NFL Network 2025 "Top 100 Players," they list Rashan Gary as defensive tackle, not end. They even make a point in the video package of mentioning his change of position from linebacker, so they clearly thought about it. Why do you reckon they consider him a tackle?

Probably because Billy the Video Intern was running late to meet his friends at Sizzler.

Bob from Rome, NY

Gentleman: Prior to the upcoming season, if a player was short of the line to gain for a first down, a coach could request a measurement to see exactly how short it is. With the new technology declaring first down, can a coach still make this request or are they subjected to what we see on the broadcast. Thank you!

You can still challenge the spot of the ball. It's just the Hawk-Eye technology will be used for the measurement.

Dan from Waupun, WI

Thanks, guys, crew. On my bad days you always bring me a smile. It is fun to laugh. The "Three Things" are also comical. From short sleeves to long sleeves, to insulation. Great preseason Inboxes.

I didn't realize it when we shot Tuesday's video, but a close friend and colleague sent me a text saying we're dressed for three different seasons. I couldn't stop laughing once I looked at the screenshot she attached.

John from South Milwaukee, WI

Hey so if the Packers win the Super Bowl, do youse writers get a ring? Do they have your size? (Surely, I jest? I think not; and don't call me Shirley!)

Spoff has a Super Bowl ring, but I'm not sure if it's because he was a writer or the backup punter. Have a good day.

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