Markus from Switzerland

Supposedly it's NFL schedule reveal week...Just a few more sleeps...

I absolutely, positively, cannot wait for it…words I never thought I'd utter regarding schedule release. Our Packers digital and social department has some cool stuff cooked up.

Glen from Henrietta, NY

Wes, does anyone in the Packers organization call you Weston more than Larry? Loved your "6 things for our six new picks." Sure, they haven't played a game yet, but it looks like we made some fantastic picks. I'm excited about them all. Wondering, if Jager Burton actually won the starting center position, do you think the Packers would then put Sean Rhyan back into competition with Aaron Banks and Anthony Belton, while Jacob Monk takes the backup center spot? I'm ready for the pads to go on and competition to start up. Go Pack Go.

It's a three-horse race among Larry, fan engagement manager Haylee Becker and our head of communications Jason Wahlers for who calls me "Weston" the most. I know my mother appreciates it. Rhyan is the Packers' starting center now with Jordan Morgan (left tackle), Banks (left guard), Belton (right guard) and Zach Tom (right tackle) plugged in at the other spots. Where this year's team differs from past years is that "next man up" could have a domino effect on the offensive line depending on the position of replacement. But Rhyan has found his spot in the starting five and the Packers are paying him to play it.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Has Jonathan Gannon really committed to a scheme, or is the 3-4 just the common expectation? I have not heard the DC state his intention publicly. Do we have the players to go either way?

Gannon didn't really say, but everything points to the Packers playing a 3-4 base alignment. That said, Green Bay has the depth at inside linebacker to play a 4-3 front, too.

Bruce from Lakewood, CO

Greetings Gents: What updates do we have on Tucker Kraft, Micah Parsons, Devonte Wyatt and all the other season-ending injuries? I will be excited to see them back and appreciate the long rehab they have embraced.

The Packers make no promises, but Brian Gutekunst told SiriusXM last week that Kraft and Parsons, specifically, are doing well and the team expects "both of those guys back early in the season and they'll be a big part of what we're doing moving forward." Kraft has been here for most of the offseason and looks great to my eye.

Al from Green Bay, WI

There is no guarantee that Jordan Love will be 100% healthy for every game this season. Would you rather play your opening game against the Bears with a healthy Love, but with Parsons (and possibly Kraft) still out? How would you ideally like division games to fall in the schedule?

The later the better this year and hope the Packers get the best of both worlds – a healthy Love and both Kraft and Parsons at full speed.

Cam from Pekin, IL

Loved the answer between great vs. good players. Just like height and speed in sports, greatness is another intangible that cannot be coached. Here's to Micah Parsons and Robert Kraft staying healthy for years to come. The downturn occurred when those two went on the IR. Parsons put the fear of God on opposing QBs, while Kraft was a sure-handed receiver who was difficult to defend.

I haven't studied Kraft closely but based on my observations at the NFL Annual Meeting over the years, he moves well for an octogenarian.

James from Chicago, IL

The question of "Is it better to have a great coach or great players?" can be answered by a single test. NFL coaches in the HOF who had no HOF players on their teams = zero. The number of HOF players who never played for a HOF fame coach = MANY.

The game is won and lost on the grass, so I'll forever favor players when this question is asked. However, good coaches can make good players great and great coaches can make great players legendary. If coaches do that consistently enough, they'll someday join those legendary players in football immortality. For those reasons, I'm convinced Mike Holmgren is a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Shannon from Ovilla, TX

In response to the Tyler from Cross Plains question about play call and time to audible I believe the loss of Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks will improve the speed of play-calling. Keeping the three main receivers the same more often than not can help Love get more time to see the defense.

It should be easier to pinpoint what the passing game does well, too. Depth is obviously needed and new playmakers must emerge, but Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden and Tucker Kraft are as good a starting point as you could ask for.

Richard from Madison, WI

Regarding Keisean Nixon's 17 passes broken up last season vs. Xavier McKinney's 10. Do you suppose that had something to do with opportunities? I can almost hear opposing offensive coordinators telling their QBs, "For God's sake, don't throw it anywhere near McKinney if you can avoid it."

That's an impressive total for a safety, demonstrating McKinney's ranginess in the back end. But I'm sure he'd also lament only converting two of those passes defensed into interceptions. The Packers got their hands on a lot of footballs last year but didn't capitalize enough (only seven interceptions on 59 PDs). Green Bay actually had three fewer passes defensed in 2024 but 10 more INTs.

Mark from Bettendorf, IA

Steve from Phoenix, AZ asked about CB1 and PBUs were mentioned. To me, a veteran like Nixon having that many PBUs means the offense regards him as the weak link and is picking on him. ATMRWCBW, Jaire Alexander never had near that many PBU's did he? Who would YOU rather have?

Well, Alexander had 17 PBUs in 2019 but regardless it's not 2019 anymore. It's 2026 and Jaire isn't walking through that door. Nixon did a great job last season. G-R-E-A-T and the NFL recognized that with a Pro Bowl nod.

Mason from Fargo, ND

I know we did sign Tyrod Taylor and still have Kyle McCord. But man, I looked into Kyron Drones and boy can he throw and run. I've seen in the media that he is a potential Malik Willis replacement. If the UDFA does good in training camp, can we see him as a potential backup or on the roster?

Anything is possible, Mason. I watched Tim Boyle come in here as an undrafted rookie in 2018 and make the 53-man roster out of training camp. Drones stands 6-1 but also ran a 4.62 at 226 pounds. He has traits worth developing.

Mark from Big Bear City, CA

Good morning Wes, all this talk about players returning to the Packers for a second go-round, what about Matt Flynn? He goes to the Seahawks only to sit behind Russell Wilson. He was one of the better backups for AR. I still remember that picture of them in the Canadian Tuxedo classic.

Flynn saved the Packers' 2013 season, too. Aaron Rodgers doesn't have the opportunity to dramatically propel Green Bay into the playoffs without Flynn keeping the ship afloat on short notice.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

Hi Wes, whaddya think is the biggest gamble toward the success of a season with high expectations? Cutting Brandon McManus for Trey Smack, betting on the OL changes (Morgan handling LT, Belton being ready to start, Banks performing when healthy, Zach Tom return to form after injury, Rhyan stepping up at center), or not bolstering RB2/3 with hopes MarShawn Lloyd can stay healthy? Or something else?

I'm in favor of it. There's always risk involved moving forward with young talent, but I view the kicking situation in the same light as the other switch-ups we've discussed. The 2026 offseason has been the Packers' chance to get younger and better at many of these spots. Plus, the stats are what they are. McManus was 6-of-12 from beyond 40 yards last year and 1-of-4 on field goals with a missed extra point in two playoffs. I embraced a kicking competition but also can't argue with the logic behind making this move now.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

Maybe, just maybe, the Packers are really putting an emphasis on special teams. We have a new coordinator and with Skyy Moore and Trey Smack, two specialists in the kick game. Now if the kick- and punt-return units can be coached not to hold, we may really have an improved special teams. I am excited about that!

Like Gutekunst, I'm gonna push back a bit on the emphasis thing. The emphasis has been there. The Packers have had some hits and misses on special teams over the past four years, but they're actively working to improve. There is a core in place now, which is why the coverage units were fairly strong when healthy last year. The goal now is to get a firmer grasp on the "offensive" aspects of special teams: kicking and returning. Hopefully, Moore/Smack can elevate the unit.

John from Stevens Point, WI

Well, it looks like it's Smack's job to win or lose. Are the Packers on the hook for anything, regarding McManus, or are they free and clear of that contract?

The Packers assume a little dead cap after signing McManus to a three-year deal after the 2024 season and paying out his March roster bonus. However, they designated him as a "post-June 1" cut, meaning McManus' hit will be spread out over the next two offseasons. Assuming the Packers don't bring in another veteran, rolling with either Smack or Lucas Havrisik will negate some of the cost at kicker since their in-season salary will be lower than what McManus would've made in base salary and roster bonuses.

Tom from Virginia Beach, VA

So, who is the shortest kicker?

That distinction presently goes to New Orleans' Blake Grupe (5-7), making him one of the few NFL players shorter than me.

Bruce from Waterford, WI

I understand most of the rules for the practice squad, etc. Can a player on the practice squad refuse to go to the team that claims them? Understanding that the player would go on the 53-man roster that claims them. Thanks.

Practice-squad players have already cleared waivers and have the right to sign wherever they choose. I'll use Micah Robinson as an example. The Packers' 2025 seventh-round pick cleared waivers after not making roster out of training camp. Robinson then spent the first half of the season on Green Bay's practice squad before Tennessee offered him a place on its 53-man roster. It was Robinson's decision to sign with the Titans (and understandable since it quadrupled his pay and allowed him to accrue his first NFL season).

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

Who are a couple other head coaches you enjoy watching around the NFL, either in coaching style or press conferences, or both?

Dan Campbell, Kyle Shanahan, Kevin O'Connell, and the incomparable Mike McCarthy are my current favorites. Each man is insightful in his own way, and I learn something about the game of football whenever any one of them speaks.

Ted from Findlay, OH

Gentlemen, as an occasional submitter, I have a question on the Inbox process. Sometimes I get a question answered the following day, sometimes a couple of days later. Do you hold questions for research sometimes? Do you flag questions for each other because you think the other guy will it enjoy it or answer it better? Just curious.

It just depends. Spoff and I occasionally hold questions, especially during the offseason when submissions aren't as ramped. It could be because the question is timeless or suited better for one of us. But just because your question wasn't answered immediately doesn't mean it's not getting a response.

Erik from Columbia, MO

Marty's question on Monday made me laugh out loud. My brother and I collected Starting Lineup figures when we were growing up. At one point, Jerry Rice's torso had a tragic separation from his legs. While sad (he was my brother's favorite), it unlocked some legendary play formations on our bedroom carpet, with Jerry's head and hands lined up out wide and his legs and feet in the backfield. Great memories. Those toys helped hook me on the game. Any favorite football items from your childhood?

I also collected Starting Lineups. I'll never forget Christmas 1995 when Santa Claus brought me Brett Favre and Emmitt Smith. My parents allowed me to open Smith, but I had to keep Favre sealed. In my "fantasy" league, Smith led the Packers that year with 2,100 rushing yards while Don Majkowski served as QB1. I "signed" Favre the following year when Shopko sold his Starting Lineups exclusively.

Julian from Gastonia, NC

Let's all celebrate that the NFL officials have a new contract. Or not.

Congrats on the cash.

Tom from Raleigh, NC

Wes and Mike – honest question … have you two secretly uploaded 20 years of Packers coverage into AI and are now just sitting back with coffee while "Robot Wes" and "Cyber Mike" handle the daily Q&A, roster updates, and breaking news? Because the speed, detail, and consistency are getting suspicious. If so, congratulations on creating the first Packers beat-writing dynasty powered by cheese curds and machine learning.

We've been doing it for years whether we knew it or not.

Margeaux from Tallahassee, FL

Marty from Rancho Cordova, CA, learned that using "who" in a query with Mike Spofford is like throwing an out pattern versus Rod or Charles Woodson. The word is rife with peril and should only be used after exhausting all other options.

One does not gain the moniker "Shutdown Spofford" in the mean streets of Platteville by accident.

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