Inbox: That stretch will define the Packers' season

George from Duluth, MN

Apropos of nothing, just wanted to say that "The Tim Boyle Laser Show" is one of my all-time favorite nicknames. Is there a current Packers player with a nickname that could challenge "The Laser Show" for greatness?

"The Yeet Cannon" is off to a good start.

Troy from Menomonee Falls, WI

I'm not quite sure how to think of MarShawn Lloyd in terms of experience and what to reasonably expect going into next season. He barely started his rookie season (10 plays in first game) before he got hurt. So, he's not really a third-year player. But he's had a lot more time and practices to learn the game than a rookie going into his first season. How should we look at him?

A present yet to be opened.

Patrick from East Dubuque, IL

What is the most critical four-week span in the upcoming schedule?

I'm torn between the first four and last four. While the Packers need a strong start against four teams that did not advance to the playoffs last season, they also must finish stronger than they did last year. Green Bay has four of the last five at home. That stretch will define the Packers' season.

Rick from Sarasota, FL

Hey Mike, your answer (which I loved) to Paul in the UK got me thinking. Would you have been able to give that answer when you started with the Packers? Your (and Wes's and Vic's) insights have changed the way I watch the game now. Hope Packers Everywhere works out to be able to see you on Oct. 5 in Tampa.

If I were Spoff, I would've been half-tempted to use "Sometimes the game happens" because that line was box office. Mike's take was 100% spot on. No different than how you can't force big plays you also gotta take them when they present themselves. Points are points. I'd rather put seven on the board and ask the defense to take a deep breath than slowly move the ball downfield and come up empty. Anyone else remember Aaron Rodgers' 75-yard pass to Aaron Jones in the 2021 NFC Divisional playoffs?

Darrel from Pueblo, CO

II, is it possible for a D to show a certain alignment daring the O to attack a certain way, allowing the D to know what might be coming? I suspect not, as then everyone could do it, but how does the O compensate?

In a way, that's what a defense is doing when it hangs in Cover-2. You are daring the offense to run the ball and vice versa with the pass against a single-high safety. With how the game has evolved, pre-snap deception is critical to stressing a quarterback and his offensive line. Football is human speed chess, played by men who can run 22 miles per hour.

Rob from Prospect, KY

I found Mike's answer regarding personnel groupings really interesting. It's amazing what happens in just a few seconds. My question is, does a late substitution of a receiver or running back tip off the defense on which player to key? To further the chess match, are late substitutions ever done on purpose to mislead the defense?

Teams don't mess around with late substitutions because they must allow the defense to counter. If a guy runs on late, it's almost always a communication error. It's not always a tell, though, either, with how many guys can play multiple skill positions in this offense.

Herb from Mosier, OR

I loved Spoff's comment that players in their early 20s aren't done maturing. In your opinion, which players have you witnessed maturing, both physically and mentally, the most while playing for the Packers? I'd like both of you to respond.

It's well-documented how much T.J. Lang matured during his time in Green Bay, going from a young player who admittedly enjoyed himself a little to a grizzled veteran and locker-room leader. Physically, the first names I think of are Aaron Jones, Davante Adams, David Bakhtiari, Carrington Valentine, and Mike Daniels. Tucker Kraft is getting there, too. He's a man…but not 40.

Jeffery from Monticello, WI

Hey guys, the O-line needs to be the focal point in camp this season, keeping Jordan Love vertical and healthy is the most important part of winning in my opinion. It also helps with the running game another important part of putting together a winning team. If Zach Tom is unable to play who will fill in at RT?

Darian Kinnard took a majority of those reps during the offseason program with Anthony Belton also rotating in for a few series.

Jim from De Pere, WI

Greetings Mike and Wes. What are your initial impressions of Trey Smack as a kicker?

His leg comes as advertised. The ball flies off his foot. He just needs to master the wind conditions coming off the Hutson Center. I anticipate a good battle between Smack and Lucas Havrisik in training camp. I would've said that even if Smack made every kick this spring.

Glenn from Muskego, WI

Thanks for everything guys. Do you think Matt Orzech has the tools to be better than a Morgan Cox or a Brian Jennings? He reminds me of a "more athletic" Andy DePaola. I'd like your thoughts before I order my jersey. Happy Fourth everyone! "No taxation without representation!"

Orzech is the most athletic long snapper the Packers have had. He fields his position and is unafraid to make an open-field tackle when necessary. Orzech has great chemistry with Daniel Whelan, too, and steadily improved his snapping since Green Bay signed him in 2023.

Jan from Ridgefield, WA

Hello II from Washington state (and formerly Greendale, WI), I noticed that Javon Bullard changed his number from "20" to "7." Domani Jackson now wears "20." Do the players agree on this? Does management dictate a number change? How does this work? Thank you for helping me keep in touch with all things Packers! GPG!!

This particular example was straightforward. Quay Walker left in free agency and Bullard immediately asked for "7." He told us during the offseason program he always wanted a single-digit number. I'm not sure how much input Jackson had on "20." Late-round picks and undrafted rookies sometimes just get assigned numbers. Carrington Valentine and Emanuel Wilson started with "37" and "31" before switching to "24" and "23," respectively, once they became established.

Colin from Milwaukee, WI

"But what's cool is Kraft doesn't actually need a huge year for this offense to be really good." I think it'd be a lot cooler if he did.

I don't disagree, but the point is the Packers don't need Tucker Kraft to be Superman for this offense to be successful. They just need him to be Tuck.

Richard from Madison, WI

"There'd never be an All-Pro left tackle drafted in the fourth round, an All-Pro center drafted in the fifth, or a seven-time Super Bowl-winning QB drafted in the sixth." But, of course, there's never EVER been a player of any quality whatsoever drafted in the 17th round, right?

It's a good thing Jack Vanisi listened to Johnny Dee…and also didn't start nodding off 17 rounds into a 27-round draft. I might have.

John from Green Bay, WI

What are the main needs the Packers need before training camp starts?

Health.

Joel from Lenexa, KS

GM II, with all the coverage of Antonio and Alex Freeman, has there ever been a father and son that both played for the Packers? I seem to recall a QB named Anthony Dilweg whose father also played for GB. Do I have that right? Are there any others?

Dilweg's grandfather, Lavvie, was an All-Pro for the Packers in the 1920s and '30s. Elijah/Ron Pitts and Jim Flanigan Sr./Jim Flanigan Jr. are father-son combinations who played for the Packers. Christian Watson and his dad Tim were the first father-son to be drafted by the Packers, though Tim never appeared in a regular-season game for Green Bay. Most recently, the Packers signed Walter Stanley's son, Dmitiri, after a successful tryout at rookie minicamp in 2024, but he didn't make the team.

TK from Grafton, WI

Player health is paramount, without a doubt. But in regards to live tackling during training camp, is "getting used to hitting" a thing?

While I don't necessarily disagree, the facts remain that those calluses will come…for at least four months. Losing a marquee player to a live-tackling period would be a nightmare and mitigate any potential benefit of such a drill. This isn't 1970 anymore. You gotta use the science and data and make the best decision for your football team.

Dale from Prescott, WI

Seeing the Crew signed another prospect to a big contract. Is this the new normal for small-market teams? Are others doing it too?

I love it. You're not gonna win doing it like the other big-market teams. You gotta be different. You gotta get creative. That's why the Brewers keep winning. They've developed their own 2026 version of "Moneyball."

Mutt from Blaine, MN

Good morning. I was pondering this morning as the slow season settles in. For the cap, I always liked Vic's every dollar paid is against the cap. It was something regarding contracts. Agents usually get a percentage of the contract. Wondering how that gets paid? With so many option years and such, do they just get a percentage of what is paid as it goes? So, they get paid at same time as the player schedule? Can't imagine they get percentage of false totals on the contracts?

It's negotiable now, but the rate is capped at 3% of a player's football earnings.

Todd from Saugus, CA

Do you think No. 10 will finally earn the respect he deserves around the league this year?

Yes.

Laura from Arlington, VA

Thoughts on Pittsburgh preseason game?

I'm in favor of it.

Kevin from Bettendorf, IA

Sure, "Bears press box food sucks" is admittedly a bit cumbersome, but if enough fans start chanting it in unison, maybe it'll catch on.

You know, come to think of it, I've never had a bad meal in Indiana.

Žiga from Slovenia

Hi Wes and Mike, I am a longtime reader since the beginning of Vic's column, but I rarely post questions. Well, this is an occasion I can't pass since I've got plane tickets to USA and game tickets for TNF Carolina game on Oct. 29! I am super exited that I will be able to see my Packers live for the first time after 30 years of watching on TV. I would be very happy to say hello to you in-person, so I am asking if it's a better chance a day before or day after the game. Keep up the good work.

That's awesome, Ziga. We appreciate your loyal readership. Check in with us a week or two before the game and we'll make it happen.

Jay from Lutz, FL

Guys, if there was one team in the World Cup besides the U.S. that you root for, who is that team and why? I am assuming your U.S. fandom, and also assuming you care about futbol. Nevertheless, mine is Brazil, due to marriage.

How can you not love the Cape Verde story? A country of a little more than 500,000 – roughly the same population as Milwaukee – is now in the knockout stage after three draws. Besides that, I always pull for Brazil.

Jeff from Littlefork, MN

If 29th is generous for Soldier Field press box food, who is No. 1?

AT&T Stadium, comfortably.

Chris from Bettendorf, IA

Spotted Cow and kringles. Throw in a double brat from the Elkhart Lake Lions Club at Road America and I'm not sure you could get more Wisconsin. It must be the dead season. To keep it legal I'll include a question. How many days until the baloney (bologna?) stops?

It's not baloney but the questions for the 2026 Outsider Inbox will be posted at the end of tomorrow's column, another checkpoint on our way back to football. Have a great Monday, everyone.

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