Devin from Bondurant, IA

Alright … so that schedule release video was … interesting.

I got a kick out of it. Loved hearing the actual voices of everyone, and Micah Parsons on the scooter took the cake. Kudos to our social team and all involved. That was fun.

Richard from Farmington Hills, MI

The schedule release material is first rate. The "10 things to know" covers it very well. I was especially struck by the team's closing the season with four of the last five at home. That could well be a first and should be a real advantage. The video is great; but the best of everything you did was including the immortal line: "It is time."

It is timeless.

Jeffery from Monticello, WI

Hi guys, really love the Week 11 bye. Just seems to be around the time players need to recuperate their bodies a little.

The bye followed by the Wednesday night game in LA is really more like two mini-byes right before the stretch run, which as I wrote, seems like it could be a really good thing.

Kerry from Lakewood Ranch, FL

How can you not like four of the last five at home and the one road game in Chicago?

Tons of folks sending in thoughts specifically on this.

Joe from Swansea, IL

Four wintry games at Lambeau wrapped around a Christmas Day visit to Soldier Field? That's the way to hit our stride down the stretch!

Now the Packers just need to make sure they're in good position.

Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

Three out of four (on the road) to start the season will be a challenge especially without Parsons. I don't love two Thursday games and the Wednesday/Friday holiday games from the players' perspective. But other than that we have to be liking this schedule right? Division games are spread out. No three- or four-game road trips. End at home against the Lions for the division? Sign me up.

Two Thursday games before Halloween is definitely different, as are the bye and Thanksgiving week. But there's plenty to like.

Dar from Mansfield, TX

Playing three of the last four games at home, against two hot-weather teams (Miami and Houston) and one dome team (Detroit), is about as good a home-field advantage as we could wish for. Can you guys ask Ed Policy to maybe order some extra snow and temps in the teens? Or Larry must know some meteorologists from his TV days that might help.

Because meteorologists have a direct line to Mother Nature?

Dale from Prescott, WI

Two Thursday nights, two Sunday nights, one Monday night, and one Wednesday night. That has to be a first?

Well, the Packers' only other Wednesday game in team history was back in 1938 in Buffalo, so safe to say yes.

Zach from Green Bay, WI

Didn't Vic promise us more noon games after Aaron Rodgers retired? I guess we still have to wait for No. 12 to hang up his cleats before we can all go to bed at a reasonable hour.

Vic didn't count on the Packers still being a perennial playoff contender once Rodgers was gone. But five out of nine home games at night – possibly six with the Week 18 finale – is a lot. Very minimal Lambeau sunshine this season.

Jim from Hudsonville, MI

Curious if the coaching staff does a deep dive into the schedule at this early stage. Whether it's for game planning, practice strategies, or any other logistical things.

Logistics mostly, like setting the practice/meeting schedule for the short weeks and other non-Sunday gamedays.

John from Stevens Point, WI

Somehow "Wednesday Night Football" doesn't have the same ring to it as MNF, SNF, or even TNF. The NFL plays games on every night/day of the week now except Tuesdays. How long before that happens (Tuesday games)? Something in the NFL's research must be driving this. What is driving this expansion into another day of the week?

The driver is filling more broadcast windows where the NFL gets an exclusive audience. That drives ratings numbers, which drives up the TV money. Pretty simple formula, really.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

I admit, Spoff, I had to chuckle when I saw the Thanksgiving Eve game. You did, in fact, jinx yourself. However, was it not the best possible week for it since you are off the next day? You'll get home probably 3 or 4 a.m. and can get a night's worth of sleep before rolling from bed to couch for the early game kickoff without the pull back to the laptop (Wes gets the short end on it being his II day). I hope Mrs. Spofford will look upon you kindly and allow you such a morning.

I knew I would jinx it, but as you and others have pointed out, it's the best possible scenario getting a long weekend off after the West Coast night game. I don't get out of the morning II, though. I always write the first column after a game, regardless of when the game is played.

Ethan from Milwaukee, WI

Not a question, but just pretend my inflection goes up at the end: I loathe the international games when they come, but seeing Thomas from Germany's comment has me sympathetic and even rethinking my stance. If we're truly building an intercontinental fan base, and if the publicly owned Packers are at a fiscal disadvantage to privately owned teams, maybe that international base is a way to also reach a broader market and generate some extra revenue.

Ding ding ding.

Matt from Sioux Falls, SD

With the Packers having only eight homes games next season, can the NFL force the Packers overseas as the home team? Wouldn't they have to be the visiting team for this to happen next year?

That would be my expectation.

Samuel from Skokie, IL

There is an angle on the cutting of McManus that hasn't been mentioned. Spoff came close in "Unscripted" when he said the disastrous playoff game would not be forgotten by the fans. If McManus was kept and repeated his playoff performance, Gute and ML would have been heavily criticized for not fixing an obvious problem. I don't think they could keep him due to that risk, as well as the pressure McManus would have faced on his next playoff kick would have been off the charts. Agree?

McManus may have already been feeling that pressure after missing a kick in Philly the previous January, who knows? Regardless, I don't think it affects a veteran of his longevity more than a younger kicker, and I think the front office would look at it similarly. I see your point, but I think the perspective is different with a 12-year pro versus a kicker 8-10 years younger. With the football brass loudly touting competition both before and after the draft, I'm not sure we'll ever know exactly why the move was made now.

Shawn from De Pere, WI

It seems that over the past decade or so, the bottom of the roster has been a revolving door with folks being signed or elevated from the practice squad. What impact does that have to special teams play, since it is those players' area of contribution? I would think that might lend to inconsistency with the bottom of the roster constantly changing.

It can, but every team deals with it, so it's not an excuse. Churning the bottom of the roster in the constant search for better players is a necessary evil, because you never know when those special teams guys will have to step in and play from scrimmage, and if you've passed up opportunities to improve the roster, it can really cost you.

Joe from Bozeman, MT

There is one way to put an end to the Ben Johnson rhetoric mentioned by Wes. Just stop collapsing in the fourth quarter. The Packers were, and are still, a better team than the Bears. Ever since his introductory press conference, Johnson has shown a lack of class. Even during the Ditka-Gregg years Ditka showed more class.

No argument here.

Chip from Bev Hills, MI

What improvement in Jordan Love's game would you like to see in '26? Is downfield accuracy an issue with him, or is that just me expecting perfect placement on every pass?

The latter. The Packers push the ball down the field and take their shots. Not every such throw is going to be right on target, and those who expect so don't watch any other NFL games. Love's accuracy is way better than much of this fan base believes.

Tim from Rossville, GA

I know you do not pay attention to the clickbait stuff. BUT, what is the deal with the love of Caleb Williams? They have him ranked as the top QB in the NFC, top 3 in the NFL in some of the league rankings, and in the top 10 in almost every ranking out there. Jordan Love does not make any of the lists. Is it pressure from the NFL? I am not superstitious, but I'm a little stitious.

First, I don't care about rankings. But to indulge for the moment, I believe Williams is potentially on his way. What many think is after three years as a starter, Love has shown everything he's got. But I don't think he's played his best football yet.

James from Appleton, WI

It's hard to believe the last Packers WR with a 1,000-yard season was Davante Adams in 2021 (1,553). If Christian Watson and Jayden Reed both stay healthy, I can't decide who would be more likely to end the drought. And with Matthew Golden's new appreciation of being precise, he's a dark horse to do it, too. Still, my money's on a healthy Watson.

I'm less interested in the 1,000-yard drought ending than whether the Packers might get three guys at 750-plus, or something like that. The closest I could find was 2012, with Cobb at 954, Jones 784, Nelson 745 and Finley 667.

Peter from Port St. John, FL

Good day II, just a comment on the importance of extending No. 85. The tight end position has become an extremely important difference-making position when you have "that guy." Using the most recent example of NFL "dynasties," e.g. Patriots and Chiefs, not only did these franchises have/had HOF QBs, but also all-world tight end play with Gronk (Bucs as well) and Kelce, respectively. We could throw in Kittle with the 49ers also as an example of dominating play helping a team go to the big game. GPG!

It's a position where the truly elite are in short supply, so any team that has one of the special few owns a matchup edge, and often a distinctive one. I think the Packers found their first one since Finley, and they aren't letting him go anywhere.

Mike from Geneva, IL

I saw an interesting stat today. Josh Jacobs had more touches last season than Lloyd has had in his last five seasons combined. If MarShawn Lloyd can get heathy, then his body should be fresh once he gets in football shape.

He's a young man with a lot to offer, potentially for a long time, if his body cooperates.

Mike from San Diego, CA

We are constantly reminded of the Packers playoff heartbreaks that came as a result of a misfortunate play or two, when they were clearly the better team. Thoughts on switching to a three-game playoff series so the best team truly comes out on top? Who says no?

Me, and anyone else who wouldn't want the NFL playoffs to last four months.

Dennis from Maryville, TN

Shutdown Spoff? The unheralded UDFA screamin' in like a bat out of Hades from the shadowy depths of the secondary bearing down on poor unsuspecting wide receivers like a cheetah taking down its prey? Question is … will he hold onto the ball once he gets there?

Happy Friday.

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