Inbox: That's the priority

Doug from Quakertown, PA

Mike, noticed your reference to Great White's song yesterday. Do you have a favorite classic rock artist/group?

I was a big Van Halen fan in my youth. Both versions of the band, actually.

Jeffery from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Any update when the 2026 media guide and the 2026 yearbook will be available in the Pro Shop?

The yearbook should be available by the end of next week, and the media guide shouldn't be too far behind.

Brendan from Beaver Falls, PA

I enjoyed reading Mr. Christl's history of Lambeau Field. Can you tell me if the ticket prices listed were what they cost at the time or are they adjusted for inflation? Thanks.

That was the cost at the time.

Dwayne from Rock Rapids, IA

You mentioned the iconic view from the landing just under the scoreboard on the south side. This fall I will be attending my 40th and 41st game at Lambeau. It is a nine-hour drive. Over the years the trip becomes a little more cumbersome and I quietly ask myself why I continue to do this. Then as I do every year I make my first stadium view entrance at that very landing. Bingo! A jolt of energy/excitement/pride reminds me "this is exactly why I return to his magical place!" GPG

Someday when I'm no longer needed in the press box, I'll have to watch a game from up there.

Richard from Greenwich, NY

Hola amigos, at the risk of incurring the wrath of Vic's acolytes, I think England's loss to Argentina in the World Cup should be instructive to coaches that take the foot off the gas when they have a lead. England's coach has been widely criticized for doing just that in Wednesday's game, against Messi and crew. Not saying that was the cause of the collapse against the Bears last year, but I hope MLF has self-scouted in that regard. Hanging on with a lead loses lots of games in the NFL.

You took the risk, so someone needs to explain to me when LaFleur supposedly sat on a lead last year and cost the Packers a game. It's not there. Let's go through all the losses. Cleveland? He called a pass play on third down that got picked off and returned inside the 5-yard line to set up the tying score. Then the game-winning kick was blocked. Carolina and Philly? The Packers were playing from behind late in those games. Denver? They went deep with a nine-point lead in the third quarter, Surtain picked it off, and the game flipped. Chicago? Botched onside kick recovery, which gave the Bears two consecutive possessions worth 10 points. The offense didn't even have the ball down the stretch, and when it did in OT, it fumbled a snap. Baltimore? Got run over by Henry all night. Minnesota? Game didn't matter. Chicago again in the playoffs? The offense went four straight drives in the second half with just one first down, not because it wasn't trying to move the chains, but because nobody blocked worth a (darn). Go look at the film. They didn't curl up into a shell, like England did. They were calling plays to go score and simply failed. Then when the offense got things going again, the kicker left four points out there. Don't confuse results with intent. Look, I'm not saying every LaFleur decision or call is inarguable. There's plenty to debate and dissect. But this narrative floating around out there that the late-game failures last year were due to him sitting on leads and trying to "hang on" to not lose is just false. The facts don't support it. Any comparison to what the England coach did against Argentina is off-the-rocker misguided.

Augustus from Eureka, CA

To keep the win probability discussion going, I've always been curious on how much a missed FG impacts win percentage. ATMR (WIDD) *Which I didn't do* missing kicks would likely have a significant compounding effect on win probability. That feels like a research question for a WCBW Inboxer rather that a WIDD'er like myself.

The floor is open. My vacation starts later today so I won't be diving in.

Derek from Sheboygan, WI

Will LaFleur let Jordan Love blossom this year instead of holding him back?

If you think LaFleur is holding Love back, you're not watching the same offense I am. Did you miss the whole discussion two weeks ago about constantly looking for explosive-play opportunities?

David from Janesville, WI

Gents, the Packers seem to keep such consistency in so many facets that it's easy to forget two-thirds of the coordinators have changed since last season. When do you feel fans will be able to see what if any major philosophical changes will occur on defense or special teams? Training camp? Preseason? At the bye week? Or will the changes be subtle enough that the average Jane or Joe won't really notice much?

Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't believe there are "major philosophical changes" at play here. I can see Gannon getting creative with certain packages and calls, but the defense isn't getting some wholesale makeover. On special teams, significant personnel changes are coming at kicker and returner. The rest of the third phase's foundation is intact.

Kathryn from Greenville, WI

What part of the new defense can we anticipate Devonte Wyatt to play, after his recovery from the Thanksgiving Day injury?

Wyatt is an interior run defender and pass rusher, regardless of scheme. His role won't be changing much.

Doug from Neenah, WI

Good morning, Mike. If we correlate "perceived potential" with the $ amount of signing bonuses paid to rookie UDFAs, then Nyjalik Kelly, the DE/edge rusher from UCF, must be highly thought of within 1265. His story is similar to former Packer Kingsley Enagbare because neither tested well in speed drills at the combine. Kelly was described as "raw" before the draft but have you seen any of his potential so far this spring? Thanks.

I know next to nothing about him, other than he played at both Miami and UCF. But he sounds like a guy to watch when the pads go on.

John from Lake in the Hills, IL

Why doesn't the NFL host a third-place game like the World Cup? Maybe the week in between the championship games in the Super Bowl host city or maybe even an international third-place game. Seems like a missed opportunity.

The NFL played such a game, known as the Playoff Bowl, in the 1960s. Lombardi played in it twice and was not a fan. Ending it was the right call, and it would have zero chance of being revived today.

Joshua from Bellevue, WA

We have a lot of money left in our cap this year despite extending multiple guys. Do you think the way we structure contracts to always push higher cap numbers to the end of their contracts is a dangerous game? When Tucker Kraft gets extended does it make sense to have him eat a large cap number now so that it can balance out later? Or is the always rising cap number just saving everyone from the rolling can?

The cap's steady rise certainly plays into contract structures. The big cap numbers later in a deal also, by design as a benefit to both sides, force a team to make a decision at a given point – cut bait and save salary while eating some dead money, or extend the player and re-work all the numbers.

Kevin from Indianapolis, IN

We have some players who have battled through a history of injuries that will be counted on as key contributors this season, e.g. Christian Watson and MarShawn Lloyd. Who are some success stories of guys the Packers stuck with that overcame the injury bug and made significant contributions?

Well, I'll start by saying Watson already has. His second half last season was dynamite, and why the Packers made the long-term investment. Lloyd's situation is truly rare. The only other that comes to mind as mildly similar was Mike Flanagan's.

Jeremy from Weston, WI

I don't think that Lloyd should be the sole backup to Josh Jacobs. I simply don't believe he will stay healthy. The Packers will need to sign another veteran RB at some point this season, you watch. Quote me on it.

You may be right. I wouldn't rule it out. I guarantee you they have a plan if it comes to that.

Jim from De Pere, WI

Greetings, Mike and Wes. From what you have been able to observe, does anyone stand out as having an edge for the third quarterback between Kyle McCord and Kyron Drones?

Too early to tell. I expect that battle to be decided in the preseason games.

Ryan from Satellite Beach, FL

Good morning! I may have missed this, or just forgot about it (IMHMT OJFAI) but has there been any offseason discussion about fourth-down conversion attempts? I feel like ML was very aggressive with it last year and got burned more often than not. I know his philosophy has been more of a gut feeling in-the-moment type of decision for him. Do you see his approach changing?

Not really. For the record, the Packers were 14-of-25 on fourth downs last season (56%), while opponents were 20-of-36 (55.6%). Nearly identical success rates, but the other guys went for it way more often.

David from Chestertown, MD

Greetings Inboxonians, Spoff, and Hod. IMHO I'd say Aubrey at Dallas is currently the best long-ball kicker of FGs, making 60-plus de rigueur. How would you compare Trey Smack's leg strength next to Aubrey's? ATMR Smack's longest is 56.

I'm sure Smack has the leg to hit from 60-plus, but it will have to be the right situation to try it. Honestly though, I'm not focused on his leg strength. The Packers need a kicker who's highly reliable from inside 50 yards. That's the priority. Over the last three years, this team could lay claim to that for maybe half a season.

Gary from Denver, CO

Mike, as a fellow LU grad and English major, I appreciate II's role in proper grammar. I noticed Wes has also started correcting readers on "who/whom." While we're in the dead zone, I'd like to propose this season you move next to "less/fewer" – I've seen repeated misuses. Converting Wes to the Oxford comma would be icing on the cake.

Greetings to a fellow LU alum. But that sounds like too much work. I'm just trying to have some fun here.

Scott from Croatia

Mike, writing in while on vacation, from my 13th country I've visited on three continents, and it being the 13th country I've gotten a "Go Pack" in. It really surprises me every time when I'm greeted by it. That said, while we are still in the dead zone, I was wondering if there was someone in your department that you would like to take a second to highlight that helps make your job easier. Thanks, and soon to be Scott from West Richland again in a few weeks.

Quite the travelin' man. There isn't just one person to mention, but before everything cranks up full speed again, this is as good a time as any to shout out our entire team. While Wes and I dutifully act as the "faces" of this website and app, the gang you don't know doesn't work any less hard. I'm talking about our digital group of Duke, Jen, Lauren, Nicole and Carson, plus the social team of Renae, Jack, Matt, Ellie and Sam. Then there's the video production crew of another 10 people or so. As I'm about to begin season No. 21 here, I can tell you this operation has never been more robust, nor more blessed with genuinely good, talented people. It's a treat to go to work with these folks every day and I'm thankful for them all.

Jim from Westland, MI

Since the dead zone is usually about hype, projecting expectations if … IMO, WCBW (but isn't) the 2026 season is summed up in two words for almost every position on the team. Prove it. With the exception of QB and safety, maybe one LB, I don't recall a recent team with so many prove-it storylines for every reason. Health, availability, durability and development. This is the Prove-It season for almost the entire team and coaching staff.

Maybe I've been doing this too long, but every season feels like that to me, though the reasons often vary. This league is all about proving something every available chance.

Andrew from Chicago, IL

Thank you, Mike, for focusing on winning the division. If we think this is the year for the roster rebuild payoff, it absolutely starts with Jordan Love's first home playoff game. Can't wait to see how this team will earn it this year.

Same here.

Markus from Aurora, CO

Sorry if this question has already been answered and I missed it: When will "Packers Unscripted" return?

Tuesday, July 28, the day before the first practice of training camp.

Richard from Caledonia, WI

What's the biggest buzz you are hearing about the upcoming training camp?

That it starts right after I get back. You folks are in Wes's hands next week. Be nice. Happy Friday.

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