Inbox: That should be seen as a blessing, not a curse

Jason from Boyle, MS

What am I supposed to do now for the next eight months?

I don't know, R-E-L-A-X?

Jason from San Francisco, CA

Saying we need to root for the Bears because they're in our division: That's like rooting for the Devil because he's in the Bible.

This crowd always comes up with something.

Troy from Westminster, CO

Why do I feel a Packers/Bears matchup in Chicago opening Monday night of the 2026 NFL season?

Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.

Kevin from Chemung, IL

I ran into an old friend and longtime Packers fan I hadn't seen since Covid. When I asked him how he was doing after the devastating loss, he shrugged and said he last watched a game over six years ago. Mind blown! I realize that your job and millions of others depend on eyeballs watching. With all the challenges facing the sport (gambling, officiating, player safety, etc.), what do you feel is the most important thing for the NFL to address to avoid bleeding more fans?

Bleeding fans? Your anecdotal evidence to the contrary, the Packers and Lions played the most-watched NFL regular-season game in history on Thanksgiving, and then the audience record lasted all of three hours because it was immediately broken by Chiefs-Cowboys.

Alex from Bozeman, MT

The NFL and its scheduling decisions will never make sense to me. The Rams-Bears game is on Sunday. Both of these teams played on Saturday this week. Meanwhile, the 49ers played Sunday evening on the East Coast and will now have a Saturday game in Seattle. Sometimes it makes sense to follow the money. Packers-Bears on Prime for instance. This one has me bamboozled, though.

The Bears are the biggest TV draw of the remaining teams, and that early Sunday evening slot is where they want that team. The Niners really are getting hosed, though. They finished the regular season on two short weeks (Mon-Sun, Sun-Sat), and now they're getting a third in their last four games.

Don from Canada

I now believe that both the Packers and the Bears have "the Man" at QB. If I am right then this is going to be a great 10 years or so of Packers vs. Bears games. Do you agree with my "the Man" assessment?

Indubitably.

Rick from Trempealeau, WI

Regarding the Matt LaFleur/Ben Johnson friction, I hope our guy keeps his professional cool. I witnessed a bar fight where my close friend absorbed the first punch, looked at the other guy and said, "Is that all you got?" The other guy was laughed out of the place.

This has a long way to go. When Lovie Smith famously declared his No. 1 priority was beating the Packers, he won six of the first eight matchups. Then the Packers won nine of the next 11, and Lovie was gone.

Doug from Yorkville, WI

"Fire LaFleur!" For an hour Sat. night, I was one of those voices. But, a new coach almost means a total reset from where we are, and that makes no sense. We locked ourselves into winning now and it seems to be the prudent thing to follow through with. We have most of the horses. Get guys healthy, fill in a couple of holes, and add some depth. If the Packers and Lions would've been healthy, I think the Bears finish in third place. I'll take that any day.

I felt most of the season the Bears were the third-best team in the division, but they took advantage of a last-place schedule (Raiders and Saints were two teams they played nobody else in the division did) and found a way to win a bunch of close games as they grew into a legitimate threat. Now they believe they can beat anybody.

Jeff from Green Bay, WI

Hi guys, just a thought here on the last play of the game. Jordan Love obviously had to get the ball to the end zone but as he scrambled no one was open and he seems to just throw the ball to an open area hoping for the best. Wouldn't he have been better off to throw it up in the air, a mini-Hail Mary if you wish, giving a jump-ball type situation where a crazy deflection might go our way? Odds are slim either way but it was something I was thinking about.

I was, too, but I'm sure that's a difficult and drastic mental switch when you're scanning for an opening while wondering when you're about to get clobbered.

Chris from Fort Wayne, IN

Isn't all this noise re: gut-punch losses and late-game collapses a bit misdirected? Aren't these just the downstream consequences of the way this team plays? Over the past couple of years we've consistently seen a large dose of pre-snap penalties, blown assignments, selfish personal fouls, questionable coaching decisions. When that's the style in which you play, what outcomes do you expect?

You reduced to 60 words the roughly 1,000 I wrote last Saturday night.

Jim from Hudsonville, MI

In Matt's defense, he did walk back his comments about being "disheveled" and "lacking composure," basically chalking them up to postgame emotions. That being said, he just might have been right the first time…

It's natural to gain a different perspective after reviewing the all-22, which is silent film with no crowd noise or emotional atmosphere. It's as antiseptic as it gets. That process has its benefits but doesn't answer all the questions in the most highly charged games.

Matt from Kula, HI

The persistent lack of discipline and mental toughness of this team leads me to wonder if MLF is just too nice. I realize that it's a different era, but (based on Jerry Kramer's "Instant Replay"), after a loss the team was scared to death of film review with Lombardi. Fear can be a powerful motivator. Is that missing from MLF's toolbox?

What Wes said yesterday about Love applies universally, that leadership must be genuine. High school kids might fall for faux outrage but professional athletes will see right through a phony and lose respect. That said, I don't think LaFleur is soft on anybody behind closed doors, and I can't speak to how any coaches on the staff conduct their film sessions.

Terry from Canton, MI

I'm optimistic about next season, for two reasons: Tucker Kraft and Micah Parsons. Not only for their talent but for the fire they bring. The team has to be aware of the fourth-quarter flops and will be tired of hearing about it. Kraft and Parsons bring so much emotion and controlled fury to the field I feel like they will embrace the challenge of dispelling that perception. Or am I overestimating the lead-by-example effect?

They'll certainly help the cause, but it's dangerous to think they're the fix for all that ails this team. They were both playing in Cleveland back in Week 3.

Mike from Sault Ste. Marie, Canada

Hi guys. Have really enjoyed reading the Inbox this week as many of the questions I've had have been addressed and answered in a very logical way. I realize our offense is predicated on explosive plays, but do you think if MLF comes back as coach he will change his approach. Adapting and evolving must involve the coaches as well, no?

The Packers need more offensive diversity. As Wes pointed out, the four-minute offense was a strength in 2024. But that group lacked explosiveness without Christian Watson on the field. This past year, explosion was always a threat, but it became boom or bust. The running game never approached what it was a year ago. The offense must be more well-rounded.

Ellen from Muskego, WI

So enjoyed watching Christian Watson's return from a major injury. Do you think he has a shot at comeback player of the year?

That'll go to Christian McCaffrey.

Eric from Troy, IL

Of all the criticisms about the game that have been discussed, the one I haven't seen mentioned is the lack of a package of plays for Malik Willis. After a couple of failed series at the start of the third quarter, why did we not bring him on the field as a changeup? A single good scramble from him would have gained more that the offense generated in those series. Seems a shame that his (likely) last game as a Packer was wasted. Thoughts?

On Sunday, LaFleur said Willis' hamstring wasn't healthy enough for him to run with the ball. He had gone into the game, any scrambling or zone-read stuff was off the table.

Ken from Oceanport, NJ

Now that we have lost three playoff games due to special teams – botched onside kick (2014), blocked punt (2021) and missed FG/XP (2025) – I guess we should start preparing for the only other two special teams gaffes next year, punt return or kickoff return next year.

I don't know. The Bears had punt returns of 37 and 22 yards, the 49ers also blocked a field goal, and the Seahawks scored a TD on a fake field goal. I sure hope those three games pretty much cover it.

Thomas from Madison, WI

Without sounding like too much of a negative nelly, I'm concerned the 2025 offensive line played inconsistently and below the competition, leading to a stale run game and boom/bust pass game. In 2026, the Packers could lose their starting LT and both starting and backup centers. With little draft capital and no money for a dip into "game-changing" free agency, is the best option turning to the unproven jars on the shelf?

The Packers have work to do on their offensive line. Elgton Jenkins' contract makes for a sticky situation. Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan are both headed for free agency, and I don't see affording both. The overall depth of the unit remains suspect. The decisions with this unit might have a bigger impact on the 2026 team than any others.

Joe from Swansea, IL

Sensitive topic, because I think highly of Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon, but I think we have to upgrade the cornerback play. What are the options for getting more talent and depth there? Is that possible with our cap situation and other needs, particularly the O-line? II, what do we do?

This is the other position that needs a hard examination, because depth was an issue throughout. Depth breeds competition, which fosters improvement.

Jordan from Osterdock, IA

Wes mentioned "no drafted CB prospects in the pipeline" – seventh-round dart throws the past four drafts leaves a lot of heavy lifting on the development side of draft-and-develop. I see a double-up and maybe a triple-up this coming draft depending how FA plays out of course.

Will be worth watching.

Josh from Seattle, WA

I would be surprised if we bring back Romeo Doubs after drafting two WRs last year that need snaps and him probably garnering $20M on the market, but man do I want him back! He seems like the most reliable pass catcher for Love and is often the go-to guy in big-time moments. Of our UFA, whom would you be happily surprised if we retain, and whom would you consider the gotta-sign-him priority?

All legit questions, but it's just so early. Some veterans under contract will be let go to create cap room, and projections will emerge as to what some of the UFAs might command on the open market. The five most prominent UFAs in terms of playing time are Doubs, R. Walker, Quay Walker, Rhyan and Kingsley Enagbare. They won't all be back, but I'm thinking at least one and up to three will. Interestingly, the Packers also have eight RFAs this year, which is a lot of tender offers to consider.

Matt from Sunrise Beach, MO

Haven't had true stability at kicker since Mason Crosby. After the playoff performance, do you think the Packers will stay with Brandon McManus, or do they continue searching for an answer? He has been solid for most of his time with the Pack, but that playoff game …

I don't know what'll happen there, but I wouldn't call it a given he's the Packers' kicker in 2026.

Angelo from Carlsbad, CA

Even with the awful second half, the throw in the final seconds a few inches closer to Watson and we're talking about a five-TD pass day and a survival win.

Watson gave a detailed description of that play in the locker room Monday, and I wrote about it here, along with Jayden Reed's comments about the play that got away from him. Just additional examples of how slim the margins are at this level.

Tallon from Castle Rock, CO

I thought Love played one of the better games of his career on Saturday and I believe he will have an MVP award or two by the time his career is up. But on that last drive I couldn't help but think of how easy it felt with Rodgers in the two-minute, game-winning drives, and Love wasn't able to carry us there this time. Obviously lots of other problems with that drive and it should have never gotten there, but hoping Love can find a higher gear next year.

He made two crazy good throws on that last drive that didn't quite connect (see the link above), and if he'd only needed a field goal and not a touchdown he would've been praised for how he pulled that game out of the fire.

Chili from Muskego, WI

In response to Todd's comment, I think "failure" doesn't mean you didn't win the big game, it means you fell short of expectations or failed to improve. For the Packers, I think anything short of the divisional round was a failure. NFCCG after Parsons joined. If the Bears lose this weekend, I doubt they consider this season a failure, because expectations were low. 2016 and 2023 are the only seasons I can think of since the SB where we didn't fall short of expectations.

I'd add 2019 to that list, but yeah. Championships are a pyramid scheme of sorts that leave failure in their wake. High expectations are the norm around here. That should be seen as a blessing, not a curse.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

Who are you picking to represent the NFC and AFC in the Super Bowl and who will win it all?

I think the two winners on Saturday will meet in the Super Bowl, but that's as far as I'll go right now. Speaking of the weekend, I'll be opening the laptop sometime Sunday evening to write Monday morning's column, so send me your thoughts and observations on the divisional contests and let's talk playoff football. Happy Friday.

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