Inbox: The choice will come down to 'fit'

Matt from Waunakee, WI

Hi Mike, looks like someone needs to remake "Hoosiers."

Yeah, but as Wes said on social media, Curt Cignetti has to play himself.

T-Money from San Jose, CA

I guess we can circle the Miami at Lambeau game next fall.

With the thicker Sharpie if Malik Willis is the Dolphins QB.

Dylan from Amery, WI

Congrats to Jeff Hafley, best of luck down in South Beach. On the other side of the coin, have you ever seen a crop of coordinator possibilities like this?

It is not a bad year to need a defensive coordinator, that's for sure. The list of qualified candidates is long, and everyone's asking for my pick. I'm not going there. For LaFleur, the choice will come down to "fit" – with his personality, vision, style, personnel here, etc. Fit can't be judged from the outside.

Jesus from El Paso, TX

I think often about how Coach McCarthy would preach about how difficult it is to handle success. I'll be hoping all season that Ben Johnson learns that lesson the hard way next year. On to my question: How will we temper expectations for the next defensive coordinator's first press conference? Hafley set that bar way too high.

The more telling press conference will be the one after a rough defensive game.

Lon from Lake Oswego, OR

Why nothing yet on packers.com on MFL's extension and the details of the extension? Reports say that the extension was signed on Saturday.

It's my understanding the organization is working to finalize the extensions of Gutey and Russ Ball as well, and when everything's done there'll be an official announcement.

Tom from Raleigh, NC

Were you gentlemen surprised that several local beat writers advocated for LaFleur's dismissal? While I am sure the coach will be professional in his dealings with these writers (not petty and vindictive which I would choose), he might not go out of his way to help with their stories either. Will the press room be frostier?

No. LaFleur knows it's part of the business. He'll probably even crack a joke about it at some point.

Ethan from La Crosse, WI

I am curious if it's worth comparing and contrasting LaFleur's extension with the dismissal of McDermott in Buffalo. Maybe it'd be a better exercise after next season (or two?), a la judging draft picks. I guess the biggest difference right now, in hindsight, is McDermott helped to turn around a perennially down team, while LaFleur successfully managed a QB transition for a consistently successful team.

Right. The clubs are currently in two different places, and the coaching tenures have featured very different challenges. Not apples to apples. That said, I was stunned by McDermott's dismissal. For six straight years, he's won 11-plus regular-season games AND at least one playoff game. Three of his eight playoff losses were in OT, two others by three points, four to Mahomes. Nothing that could be considered a "down" or underachieving year, at least not to me. Plenty of disappointment and frustration, sure, but that feels like a purely emotional decision, not a rational one.

Dennis from Rhinelander, WI

Is Josh Allen like Matthew Stafford where he may need to go to a new team to win a Super Bowl?

I hope not, but again, apples and orangutans. Stafford spent a dozen years in Detroit, earning one Pro Bowl selection and three one-and-done playoff appearances, with a franchise that was dysfunctional beyond anything he could control. His departure happened to coincide with the arrival of a new regime that ended the dysfunction. In eight years in Buffalo, Allen helped bring a struggling franchise back to prominence, capturing an MVP, finishing top five in MVP voting three other times, and winning eight playoff games. Nothing similar to Stafford's run in Detroit, really.

Tallon from Castle Rock, CO

C.J. Stroud really let down his insane defense. I can't believe we are talking about benching this guy after his first-year breakout. Stroud and Bryce Young will forever be tied together, I think they are both awesome guys and have a lot of talent as players. It will be fascinating to see how those two do in the coming years.

Two weeks ago was Young's first playoff game. The past two weeks were Stroud's fifth and sixth, and they were his worst. The victory over the Steelers raised concerns that were only elevated last week.

Justin from Thousand Oaks, CA

Do you think the resurgence of once-pilloried QBs like Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Trevor Lawrence, Malik Willis, and even Mac Jones might cause teams to be a little less prone to dump young QBs like Stroud too early? Clearly a lot of teams have given up on talented QBs too fast. Or was the scenery change (excepting Lawrence) part of why they found new life?

I think the change of scenery definitely mattered, but only Mayfield had started in the playoffs (two games) before changing scenes. That draws a contrast to Stroud's case.

Steve from Cedar Falls, IA

Next weekend's games full of intrigue. Broncos second-string QB. Patriots look unstoppable. Rams-Seahawks meet for third time …

I don't think the Patriots look unstoppable, but they just caught the biggest break at this stage of a postseason in quite some time.

Venny from Montgomery, AL

Is Davante Adams a Hall of Fame lock? Will he need a Super Bowl win or additional productive seasons to boost his case?

He's got a strong HOF resume already, with three first-team All-Pro selections, six Pro Bowls, and leading the league in TD catches with three different teams. But winning a Super Bowl and having a sizable impact on that victory would almost certainly shorten his wait.

Johnny from Canada

It's funny to me how people think LaFleur needs to change his coaching style to be more mean and cutthroat with the players in order to get over the hump – but nobody talks about how his current coaching style is part of the reason for their success now. There's no guarantee that him having less of a personal relationship with his players means more success in crunch time. It most likely would mean the opposite.

As far as player relationships go, a coach's top priority is to get his players to go all out for him. There are any number of ways to go about it, but effort has to be a given for execution to have a chance.

Marshall from Mesa, AZ

Regarding Booker's hits on Jordan Love and a possible suspension – Vontaze Burfict was suspended for almost an entire season because he had a history of illegal hits. While the suspension was after a single play, the league clearly was punishing him for past infractions. It has happened before.

Fines also go up for repeat offenders, and I recall a couple of suspensions for a game (or two) this past season. Those are usually for multiple violations of "defenseless player" protections, though.

Jim from Hudsonville, MI

Our offensive line, in its totality, had a rather underperforming year, at least by Packer standards. In your opinion, do you think we tried too hard to be diverse, rotating players and/or positions, and not letting them "settle in"? Or did problems evolve from other circumstances?

It's a fine line. Cross-training players is important to cover for injuries, but there are drawbacks. There's no easy answer to that one.

Paula from Apple Valley, MN

I'm trying to stop over-assessing the past season and move on. But one thing that keeps coming back to me is moving Elgton Jenkins to center. I didn't like it at the time and, in my opinion, it played a bigger role in our lack of success than most seem to think (or are saying). Even if Elgton had stayed healthy, it just seems like we never found the right mix after that move. Am I making too much of that move?

It failed. There's no denying that. The Packers invested in a C-LG combo of Jenkins-Aaron Banks to be a decided improvement over Myers-Jenkins, but it didn't pan out that way, though they may have found their new center of the future in the process. Curious to see what happens with Sean Rhyan now.

Jim from Janesville, WI

During the "analysis" of what went wrong with the second half of the Bears game, MLF made reference to the linemen not sliding to pick up the blitz that the Bears seemed to be throwing at the Packers on every play. Assuming this is recognized during the game, where does the primary responsibility for adjusting to this lie? HC, OC, OL coach? Or is it more likely a simple matter of recognition, but the OL just not executing?

They have protection calls with rules dictating who blocks whom based on the defensive front. If the rules aren't followed, or if one lineman is executing the wrong call, or if someone whiffs on a block, it creates a free runner at the quarterback. It sounds like all were happening at various times. Whose responsibility? It's on the players to execute the calls as they've been coached, but if they can't, there's also fault with not being coached well enough. There's no one finger to point.

Michael from Novato, CA

I think the most disappointing unit this year wasn't special teams, but the OL. I know we had injuries, but the unit never really seemed to gel even when we settled into a starting five. And the pre-snap issues, missed assignments, etc., cost us several games, and probably the two Bears losses. More than special teams, I think ML has to take a long look at the offensive line coaching. Lang wants us to bring back Campen. I think that has to be at least considered. Thoughts?

I expect everything about the offensive line to be thoroughly examined, both on the personnel and coaching side. I'd be a fool to try to predict the eventual solutions.

Ray from West Des Moines, IA

Amid all the disappointment of this past season, Lukas Van Ness demonstrated what he can add to the defense. Many people had considered him a wasted first-round pick and may now be changing their minds. How do you see his future with the Packers?

Promising. As long as Van Ness can stay healthy, I think we're going to see in Year 4 what we were starting to see before and after his injury in Year 3.

Dave from Cadillac, MI

More of a statement than a question … We need to improve the kick and punt return. If I am correct the last TD we had on any sort of return was Keisean Nixon vs. Vikings in 2023, that's two years too long!

That TD was actually in 2022, but who's counting.

Tom from Nolanville, TX

Mike, draft question: How difficult would it be for the Packers to find a trade partner – the Packers' two seventh-round compensatory picks for a fourth-round pick. How does that look on the surface to you?

Like a pipe dream. Two seventh-round comps is worth maybe a high seventh-rounder. Not even a sixth, and certainly nowhere near a fourth.

Charles from Whitewater, WI

We know Green Bay now has some cap restraints, but does not having a first-round pick give us a little more money to use elsewhere? Or doesn't it work like that.

Matthew Golden's cap hits as a first-round pick are $3.2M his rookie year, increasing to roughly $4M, $4.8M and $5.6M in the succeeding years of his standard four-year contract. Theoretically that's cap room the Packers will have for several years with no first-rounders the next two drafts.

Thomas from Cedar Rapids, IA

Defensive line (specifically DT), cornerback, and O-line in that order. Whether through the draft, free agency or in-house improvements, these three positions are vital to the success of the 2026 Packers. JMHO. I can't help thinking of Ted Thompson's thoughts on the good Lord and big men. For the first time in forever I'm paying more attention to possible new additions. Is it September yet?

Specifically with interior D-linemen and corners, the Packers have spent just one Day 1 or 2 draft pick (rounds 1-3) at those spots in the last four drafts (Devonte Wyatt). That has to change on Day 2 this year.

Bryan from Madison, WI

Regarding the 2026 Packers, I'm keeping my expectations modest (but my hopes high). With significant work to do on the O-line and CB, reduced cap and draft capital with which to do it, likely losing our most reliable WR and a handful of other strong contributors to FA, and losing our DC to a HC vacancy, it feels like a reach to assume we will be highly competitive in 2026. I believe strongly in MLF and JL, but … time will either prove me right, or prove me a fool.

I understand the skepticism, but I'll say this: What I anticipate the Packers losing in free agency or otherwise looks daunting only in a vacuum. There are already players in the pipeline ready to fill some of the voids, so looking at the roster that's returning in '26, and hopefully getting healthy, the departures appear more than manageable.

Chris from London, UK

What is the one thing the Packers need to do better next season in order to go further in the playoffs?

As I wrote about yesterday, win the NFC North to give Jordan Love a shot at a home playoff game (or two) for a change of pace. It guarantees nothing but puts you in a better spot.

And now before I take a few days off, some leftover topics about this editor gig of mine I realized never got posted.

Scott from Lincoln City, OR

Hey Mike, is your Mid-Week Chat on hold for a while?

Yeah, once the season is over I take a break from it. I may bring it back at some random time(s) in the offseason, but nothing definitive.

Rhonda from Italy, TX

Just a scheduling question, does Three Things go on hiatus immediately when the season ends, or will there be more (not weekly) entries? Next to Insider, those are my favorite.

Similarly, there may be the occasional one-off (or three-off, as it were) at some point, but otherwise it'll return for the draft and schedule release in the spring.

Colleen from Blair, NE

Curious with so many Saturday games towards the end, did you enjoy the one-day break between game and Inbox, not having to publish one on Sunday, or do you prefer doing one right after the game?

I'll break the first rule to let you know the delay is helpful after a loss. After a win, doesn't matter.

Jay from Woodstock, GA

Mike, about 45 years ago my radio job included sports play-by-play and reporting. Many of my post-game recaps and features were formed in my head and "written" during the drive home from an away game before I could get to a typewriter. My question is, how much of your work on "5 takeaways...," etc. has already begun in your head before you type, "Love's pass incomplete. Bears win. Gotta go" in the live chat?

Hard to quantify it, but on gamedays my brain never stops thinking ahead. It's why those are the most exciting and exhausting days wrapped into one. OK, one last thought and I'm out.

Kent from Duluth, MN

After watching the games last weekend I was pleased (in a twisted sort of way) to see poor decisions, dropped balls, questionable coaching, porous O-line performance, D-line not pressuring the QB, runs stopped at the line, receivers running wrong routes, injuries occurring, and a lot of lucky, unbelievable plays. It doesn't just happen to us. The game today is so unpredictable and margins (for error or success) truly razor thin. The pleasure I derived is that this team can, and will, overcome.

Happy Wednesday. Be nice to Wes. Talk to you again next week sometime.

HAVE A QUESTION?