Scott from Lincoln City, OR

Hey Mike, your big news while on vacation legend grows. Did you foresee a Myles Garrett trade happening after he'd just signed a new deal with Cleveland last year? At least, he's not going to a divisional foe.

I guess Spoff is going national, huh? Because that was a Monday for the NFL ages and a major, major move for the L.A. Rams. While Garrett may not reside in the NFC North, he does fall on the Packers' side of the bracket now. That Thanksgiving Eve matchup just gained even more intrigue.

Paul from Los Angeles, CA

I was already excited to have Packes-Rams tickets for the Thanksgiving Eve game. Now I'll hopefully get to see Micah Parsons and Myles tearing up the turf in the same game. Booyah!

Well, hopefully just Micah…with Myles also participating.

Jeff from Littlefork, MN

Given how the Illinois legislative session ended, how excited are you to cover the Packers games vs. the Hammond Bears?

Honestly, I'd be discouraged. I understand why Packers fans are laughing at the expense of Bears fans, especially with the rivalry hitting fever pitch as of late. But this one goes beyond rivalry for this writer. It's my contention the Bears belong in Illinois, if not Chicago. As Cliff has dutifully chronicled over the years, the Packers would not have survived without the intervention of George Halas at critical points in this franchise's history. He propped up the Packers when the organization needed allies and support. To see Halas' team at risk of moving to Indiana feels sacrilegious to me. It's not the Giants and Jets playing in New Jersey. This would be the Bears leaving home and that's not good for the NFL. So, I hope the Bears and state of Illinois can figure it out.

Bill from Menominee, MI

Edgerrin Cooper always seemed to play his best ball when playing with a healthy Quay Walker. Not so much that it was Walker elevating his play, but more so that Walker was owning green dot responsibilities. Cooper's best trait his first two seasons was relying on his raw athleticism to wreck plays. Zaire Franklin owning the green dot should allow Cooper to remain the best version of himself.

Having Franklin wear the green dot also gives Jonathan Gannon flexibility to move Cooper around whether it's building him back into the blitz packages or having Cooper play rover. All those possibilities are on the table given Cooper's athletic upside and Isaiah McDuffie's ability to jump in at either linebacker post.

Charlie from Morgan Hill, CA

Wide receivers rarely have huge rookie years aside from the obvious names who did. I feel the real litmus test is Year 2, assuming the player gets the snaps needed (e.g. Jordy). I think Matthew Golden is going to really seize the opportunity. What are your expectations?

I'm so excited that I wish it was already Week 1.

Jeff from Montclair, VA

Regarding Savion Williams in the backfield for sweeps, I guess we know the answer to what so many fans have asked for when ML said they looked at everything this postseason: No more jet sweeps. The answer being, yes, the sweep is still in the book. OR...do they run things in practice just to see how players perform, that they still intend on dropping during the season? Or are we going to have to wait until the season? Thanks!

Green Bay doesn't waste reps in the offseason. If the Packers are repping it, it's in the cards. The Packers were more successful with sweeps last year than they were in 2024 thanks to a few schematic tweaks and new personnel. I'm fine if Williams is still utilized in that capacity. My offseason wish was just to see him more involved in the downfield passing game because he can do that, too.

Chef David from Chestertown, MD

You have a choice of one for the 2026 season: Having a top five rush defense or a top five rush offense and why?

Rush defense, for sure. If teams can't run against you, their offenses become one-dimensional. When the offenses become one-dimensional, pass rushers can pin their ears back. When pass rushers pin their ears back, turnovers happen. What's more, the last time the Packers had a top-five run defense…

James from Appleton, WI

Getting the job done with just the front four on defense is the wrong goal. Sure, the Packers may be able to do it, but they've got players behind the front four who can get to the QB. Bringing a fifth man more often than the Packers have done the past couple of seasons will shorten the plays and keep the QB guessing. It seems like the new DC is open to that.

It doesn't always have to be rushing five, either. It can be lining seven on the line of scrimmage and only sending four. In addition to Cooper, I want to see how Gannon utilizes Micah Parsons' versatility once "Uno" is back in the lineup.

Tyler from Wakefield, MI

How significant of an advantage was the way the schedule unfolded this year, especially considering Parsons' injury during the first quarter of the season and the timing of the Week 11 bye?

As of today, I'd say the schedule lays out perfectly. The Packers don't play a returning playoff team until Week 5 and it's the Chicago Bears at home. So, they have that going for them…which is nice.

Matt from Madison, WI

One thing with the new kickoff rules, is average starting field position has increased almost 10 yards in the last 10 years. Along with record-long field goal range, it's only two or three first downs to get into scoring range. Do you think the NFL is interested in reducing the average starting field position or do they like that it's easier to get into field goal position? If the former, an idea would be to add the end zone to the landing zone and a kneel down starts the team on the 20.

That's not the NFL's concern, though. The league wants a shorter distance between the kickoff coverage and return teams. Either way, the league favors scoring and teams taking big risks (including, but not limited to, teams attempting longer field goals). The house always wins.

Jay from Lutz, FL

Guys, I saw Damien Martinez highlights and was blown away. He looks like a physical back who can also catch. But does/will he have availability? That is my No. 1 RB criteria.

Martinez was a bell cow all three years he played college football, touching the ball 546 times over 38 games at Oregon State and Miami (Fla.). He was in the rehab group last Wednesday, but your guess is as good as mine about what that means. Teams aren't required to submit injury reports right now.

Dale from Peachtree City, GA

II, how do you see the NFC North order of finish at this time of the year? I know that it is early, but who is our greatest problem? Thank you!

Packers, Lions, Bears and Vikings.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

June 1 has passed. Can you clear up the number of roster spots available and the cap space available? Do you see Gute making a move to help the cloudy RB situation if a spot is available?

Regarding the backfield situation, let's get through this week's availability and see where everything sits. The Packers have the room and flexibility to do whatever they need to do, though. Green Bay is at the roster limit of 91 (with Dante Barnett signed under international exemption) and has around $27.5 million in available cap space, which is the 11th-most in the NFL according to Spotrac.

Mick from UK

Is the streak of an undrafted rookie making the final 53 going to extend to 22 years? Dillon Wade looks a good bet but it's hard not to root for Marlon Jones given his backstory.

I bet the streak continues. If it survived when the Packers drafted 13 players in 2023, you'd think one of the undrafted rookies would make it during a year in which Green Bay drafted only six players. Who that individual will be is anyone's guess, but it's safe to say everyone will be pulling for Jones after his courageous cancer battle.

Dean from Belmont, MI

A lot has been said of the Packers need to finish games after the end of last season. It seemed to me that while the Packers went 9-3-1 to start the season, it was often either Tucker Kraft on offense, or Parsons on defense that would make a play to put the game away and secure a win. I think getting those two healthy will go a long way to addressing this issue.

Yes, but it's not absolute, right? Green Bay let Cleveland stick around in Week 3 and then struggled to slam the door shut on Dallas; the same with Carolina. Listen, it's the NFL. Anybody can beat anybody, but the best teams impose their will against less-talented teams.

Rhonda from Italy, TX

Was I sleeping? Or was it just done quietly? I only just found out that Jerry Rice's son is currently a Packer. Too bad we don't play KC this year ... they have Emmitt Smith's son. More and more "generational" players. Or maybe I'm just old...

You wanna feel even older? Charles Woodson's son committed to Michigan two weeks ago.

Pat from Indian Land, SC

Has there been any statistics regarding whether protective helmets have reduced concussions? It seems more and more players are wearing them. Just wondering why all players would not want to be more protected by wearing them.

There's a lot of peer-reviewed data detailing how the Guardian cap has reduced the severity of head injuries, including concussions, over the past decade. More importantly, like helmets themselves, the caps are an evolving technology. It's not just the padded surface fans notice. It's the engineering underneath and covers becoming increasingly tailored to specific players and positions.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Your foursome is one player short, and you are allowed to choose any Packers player currently on the roster to fill it. Who do you choose? Why?

Lucas Patrick.

Jeff from Foothill Ranch, CA

To Joe from Bozeman, I think I can confidently say we all eagerly await that submission. Literally thousands of people you've never met will be in awe of you and cheering you on from all corners of the globe. I hope you can see us all from up there!

Heck yes. That's this II community at its best.

Matt from Valders, WI

Speaking of Kyron Drones, do the Packers utilize drones in their practice for video analysis or as part of any drills?

No drones, but they have cameras standing as high as light posts on each side of the field that record all the practice film.

Todd from Winona, MN

"The Packers positioned the goal posts at the 20-yard line" … how does that work? Sounds like a major endeavor.

The goalposts are mobile. The goalposts have wheels.

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