Michael from Lakewood, CO

Mike must be out of town.

Ha, actually I'm not leaving for a few more days.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

Inspector Spoff, while discussing the news of Matt's contract extension and sighting of Ed, Matt and Brian at The American Club, my sister astutely commented that when she stayed there she felt like she was transported into "Clue." So to get the extension executed, that must mean it was Mr. Policy in the conservatory with the snifter of scotch?

If I know Ed, I'm guessing a decanter of very fine wine.

Matthew from Beaverton, OR

I figure this won't get posted, but I for one am not happy they extended MLF. Seven years of the same issues, going to the podium saying "It's on me," and then having the same issues game after game does not add up to earning an extension. Has he done some good things? Absolutely. Has he grown and improved? I don't believe so. I hope that there were some caveats to the deal with perhaps some fresh coaching blood under him that can help him and what I see as a talented team grow.

I understand the frustration of fans who wanted a change, and there are rational arguments. Two years ago the No. 7 seed was a legit achievement; the last two years, not so much. Didn't compete with the NFC's best teams last year, then too many giveaway losses this year. No division titles, or home playoff games, for four years. Three one-and-dones in the last four postseason appearances. Problems not getting fixed and questionable decisions. I get it all. I do. The one caveat in 2025 was the injuries. The Packers were 9-3-1, despite losing Tucker Kraft, Elgton Jenkins and Devonte Wyatt, before Micah Parsons and Zach Tom went down, and their absence made any kind of playoff run infinitely harder, even if they'd beaten the Bears last week. But ultimately, I think – and this is me talking, without any inside knowledge of anyone's thinking – it comes down to this: It's a quarterback-driven league, and what the Packers have with LaFleur and Jordan Love is vitally important to ANY level of success. LaFleur coached a declining Rodgers (2018 was abysmal, remember) to two more MVPs, managed the QB transition, has helped Love approach elite status with his arrow still pointing up, and has won (and nearly won) multiple games with Malik Willis. That type of coach/QB symbiosis is the best foundation the Packers could ask for and what other franchises dream of in this QB-dominant era, which is why LaFleur would've landed another head job within 48 hours if the Packers had moved on. That said, are there shortcomings and deficiencies? Yes, the end results say as much. So LaFleur must address those with changes to his staff, adjustments to training methods, and better gameday management so the team doesn't repeat losing "composure" or becoming "disheveled" in a do-or-die game. This past season ended like no other and must lead to a major re-examination of many issues touching the team, on top of the likely need for a new defensive coordinator again. Policy has put his faith in LaFleur to find those answers rather than disrupt an invaluable foundation. The expectations aren't changing, LaFleur knows it, and he wouldn't want them to.

Harry from Rochester, NY

The most important thing bringing MLF back? The players wanted him back. The chemistry between the two can't be denied.

That's another big piece to this. The Packers have issues to address, but the culture in the locker room fostered by LaFleur and the team leaders is not one of them. That can't be taken for granted.

Anthony from Madison, WI

Of course, it's only my opinion. MLF should return, for continuity. This IS NOT a rebuilding year. I said midseason what needs to change. The game plan here, of late, has been boom or bust. GB must have a middle ground mindset. Explosive plays are wonderful when they happen, but you can't coach for them. You must coach sustainability, discipline and substance to drives first. Can/will the Packers recognize this and adjust the mentality?

We shall see, but the falloff with the running game and play up front definitely fed the boom-or-bust nature.

Kevin from Tinton Falls, NJ

Before the Bears game ended I had typed this out: "I have to say the Bears remind me so much of the old Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks. Everything goes their way and they have an unlimited amount of miracle plays." Well, I guess their nine lives were finally exhausted. The way I was rooting for the Rams I felt like I was watching a Packers game. I'm sorry, I don't have a question. Just relief.

You and all of Packer Nation.

Kerry from Lakewood Ranch, FL

The fourth-down throw against the Packers for a first down and now the fourth-down TD pass against the Rams by Williams are ….?

Evidence of the most charmed season I can recall, and it finally ran out of spells.

Jared from Rigby, ID

I bet the Rams wished they had Daniel Whelan on that last punt...

I wish they had let the supposed MVP try to seal the win on third-and-10 instead of just capitulating to give the Bears one more chance.

Doug from Wausau, WI

The silver lining of the Packers not going to Seattle is I didn't have a heart attack worrying about Jordan Love's long-term health. That Seahawks D-line would've absolutely massacred Green Bay's O-line. Goodness.

Massacre is a bit strong. Seattle's domination up front was a function of playing with such a big lead. The Seahawks made the Niners one-dimensional by the middle of the second quarter and had nothing to worry about but rushing the passer, which they're really freakin' good at.

Brian from Urbana, IL

The answer to everyone's question last week: THE BILLS. The Bills have more heartbreaking playoff losses than us.

Maybe the football gods will give us Green Bay vs. Buffalo in a Super Bowl someday.

Mark from Fort Worth, TX

I still don't know what a catch is. How can Cooks' not be one but Adams' catch was? I guess the league freaking out about a game running over into another game and not?

I saw two different plays, honestly. Cooks was still in the process of completing the catch as he went down, so by rule, he had to survive the ground. He didn't. Adams had caught the ball and was only going down while being tackled (additional football move), so when his knee hit the play was over. I think they got both calls right.

Garnder from Circle Pines, MN

I am so happy and relieved that Davante Adams has a shot to play in the Super Bowl. Any other outcome would have been ub-BEAR-able. Who do you like to win the whole thing now Mike?

Seattle will be the most difficult team to stop at this point, but those third divisional matchups are anything-goes games, and I'm definitely rooting for Adams. That sideline catch in OT was vintage Davante.

Michael from Lugoff, SC

As frustrated as I have been regarding the Packers' shortfalls in the postseason the last decade, I have at least witnessed this team win two SBs in my lifetime. A close friend of mine, a Bills diehard, I'm sure would love just one opportunity to witness what I have. Misery loves company, but I can't imagine the frustration the Bills' franchise and fan base is feeling right now.

For sure. Josh Allen helped keep Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson out of the playoffs by beating them all in the regular season. They were out of his way, for once, yet the random vagaries of this game remain conspired against him. Despite all the earlier turnovers, he had the tight end for the winning touchdown and overthrew him. He'll be thinking about that throw all offseason. It's one he hits probably nine times out of 10.

Sam from Ronan, MT

53 yards in penalties on Denver's final drive in OT…It's easy for fans to be upset and say that refs shouldn't be determining the outcome of games like this, but it's pretty hard for refs not to when DBs don't play the ball. On the same token, I think it should've been PI on Buffalo's shot to Cooks on their final drive of regulation, especially since they called the others in OT.

That's what bothered me the most. The officials kept the PI flags in their pockets all game until OT, and if those two at the end were DPI, then Buffalo should've gotten a flag for first-and-goal on the game-tying drive. The inconsistency is beyond maddening. There's also too much being made of the first DPI in OT, because Bosa was called for RTP on the same play – a terrible penalty by him – and the DPI gave the Broncos only two more yards than they would've had anyway.

Steven from St. Cloud, MN

Man, I can't imagine what it feels like to be a Denver fan right now. What a blow to their Super Bowl hopes.

This game is as exhilarating as it is cruel, and sometimes within moments of one another.

Joe from Bozeman, MT

Did anyone ask Sean Payton if that was a designed run for Bo Nix in the play that probably cost the Broncos a championship? I was amazed after I heard the news that Nix could actually throw that final pass to get them in chip shot range for Lutz.

Anyone who wants a QB to run more needs to look at that play as a cautionary tale. Appeared to be the most garden-variety tackle in the open field, and it broke Nix's ankle.

Anthony from Middleton, WI

That Patriots/Texans game had more turnovers than a pie eating contest.

I was wondering for a while if anyone actually wanted to win it. The Texans have some hard thinking to do at QB moving forward. Woof.

Yotam from Israel

Reading Christian Watson's take on the last pass that went overhead made me realize (again) the complexity of this game. On watching it, I felt Jordan Love overthrew it, but after Watson's explanation, you realize it was just choosing the wrong passing window. You really can't understand what went wrong without knowing the play call. What was your "AAAAH!" moment that made you really understand the complexities of this game?

I have those moments every time I watch the all-22 and then hear the perspective of the players trying to make the plays that don't work out.

Brett from Pasadena, CA

Friday's II mentioned Jayden Reed's comment about the play that got away from him. The day before it was mentioned JL has ice but maybe not enough fire to be the leader he needs to be. If you're really not sure at this point I suggest you go back and look at Love's reaction when JR dropped that pass. His emotion showed more than I've ever seen. To me that reaction says everything I need to know about his fire.

Those questioning it are on some silly search for an intangible to blame.

David from Oak Hills, CA

Mike mentioned Friday that he felt the Bears were the third-best team in the division but they took advantage of a last-place schedule by playing NO and LV this year. Won't that be Detroit next year taking advantage of a last-place schedule? While GB will match up vs. the Cowboys, Texans and Rams, the Lions will play Commanders, Titans and Cardinals. Big advantage for Detroit, just like the Bears this year.

Yup, at least that's how it looks now.

Dale from Downers Grove, IL

Hi Insiders, there is always a lot of talk about coaching trees, but there does not seem to be much mention of GM trees. Could you share your thoughts on the number of GMs and personnel executives influenced by Ron Wolf? How about the job John Schneider has done in Seattle?

Ron Wolf doesn't have a tree, he's got a forest. I can't begin to list them all, and now his son is in charge of a team playing for a Super Bowl berth. I commend Schneider getting Seattle back to an NFC title game for the first time since the game that shan't be discussed. It had been a long drought, and he took advantage of the Vikings' mishandling of their QB situation. He also made one of the most impactful trade-deadline acquisitions in recent memory with Rashid Shaheed. What a pickup.

Douglas from Johnson Creek, WI

Anticipating that Hafley gets a head coaching gig, are we allowed to interview a current DC if we add on the title of associate head coach? Does that count as enough of a job promotion to poach a current team's guy?

Not that I know of. If a current DC's contract has expired, then he's fair game. But otherwise, no.

Jack from Chicago, IL

Sorry but I would like to address and dispel the whole draft-and-develop issue. This isn't a Madden trait or something. All teams must draft and develop. All teams must execute in free agency. The draft is where you round out your roster with young, fast, affordable talent. Even the cheapest vested veteran contract is like 4x a mid-rounder. This myth that Green Bay is exclusively a "draft-and-develop team" is an insult to Gute, Parsons, Xavier McKinney, Josh Jacobs, Nate Hobbs, Aaron Banks, Keisean Nixon, Brandon McManus, etc.

Gutey does not build and manage the roster the same way as his late predecessor, may he RIP. Not even close.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Spoff, I think the reason this last loss stung so bad is because I'm convinced Green Bay is the better team, by a lot. If the 12 quarters between them were rounds in a Balboa heavyweight fight, how many do you think the Packers won? I'd say 10.

True, but if you fail to deliver the knockout blow, the other guy's still standing, and then crunch time counts for more than all the other rounds combined. Credit the Rams for getting up off the mat after the gut punch and finding a way.

Samuel from Skokie, IL

ML and Spoff are always talking about how it is a fine line between winning and losing. In 2024 the Vikings won more than their share of one-score games and ended up 14-3. This year it was the Bears. We lost close games and now we have no offensive line or secondary? We are not that far away. We only physically were out of the Ravens game. We don't need a rebuild just figure out how to get past that thin line.

You make it sound so easy. Happy Monday.

HAVE A QUESTION?