The first Saturday of every month, Packers President and CEO Ed Policy will write about a topic of interest to Packers fans and the organization and then answer fan questions. Fans are encouraged to email Ed with their name and hometown at: PolicysPerspective@packers.com.
Before jumping into Policy's Perspective, I want to share a few thoughts regarding the passing of Bob Harlan this week. It is hard to put into words the profound impact Bob had on this organization, the people that work here, and our broader community. Last summer I had the opportunity to sit down with Bob as I prepared to assume the role of President and CEO. We scheduled an hour meeting, but it went over four hours as Bob shared stories from his nearly 20 years at the helm. While it has been almost 40 years since he started as President and CEO and much has changed, his impact is still felt here by many and his lessons learned are still relevant today.
When I became just the 11th President and CEO in Packers history, I took on a unique role and there was a small group of people that I could lean on for advice and insights. Bob was known for being incredibly gracious with his time, and I will forever cherish the conversations and mentorship Bob offered me over the years. We will all keep Madeline, Kevin, Bryan, Michael, and the entire Harlan family in our thoughts and prayers.
As I watched the Super Bowl last month in San Francisco it was a reminder of the incredible parity in this league. Look no further than both teams competing this year: In 2024 the Seahawks barely missed out on the playoffs, finishing second in their division, and the Patriots only won four games. The league is designed to allow teams to be competitive year in and year out, and it is clearly working. Despite our early exit from the playoffs this year, the margin for us to advance further next year is small.
As for now, the offseason is in full swing. Our player personnel department just returned from the NFL Scouting Combine last week and is preparing for the start of the free agent negotiating period on Monday. The new league year officially starts on Wednesday, when I am sure we will see a flurry of action as teams make moves and players sign market-setting deals.
This time of year is always an exciting time to be in an NFL front office. It's a little quieter around Lambeau this year as we aren't preparing to host the NFL Draft, but I think it's another opportunity for our personnel department to shine. The talent evaluators consistently impress me with how thorough and detailed they are in their preparation for free agency and the draft as Brian Gutekunst and his staff leave no stone unturned looking for opportunities to improve our team. It is a year-round process, and it is exciting to see how that work comes together over the next two months.
Jeff from Cedar Falls, IA
Ed, thank you for taking the time to answer questions from fans. These questions and your responses are something I look forward to reading each month. I have been at Lambeau many times. I once read that the statue of Culy Lambeau used to point to the head coach's office. I am wondering if that was true or not. Could you provide some perspective of where the administrative and coaches' offices are located at Lambeau? Can fans outside the stadium look up and see these offices, or are they located in a place that does not make that possible? Is there anywhere we could view a diagram of the entire stadium and not just the inside seating bowl? Thanks for your time and consideration of my question.
Jeff, thanks for the question. While the Curly Lambeau statue points in the general direction of the former location of the head coach's office (more on that in a moment), it was not designed for that specifically. In considering this question, it gave me an opportunity to look back at the origination of what I consider two of the most iconic features of the 2003 Lambeau Field redevelopment...the Lambeau and Lombardi statues. Each statue weighs over 2,000 pounds and was sculpted by the husband-wife team of Julie Rotblatt-Amrany and Omri Amrany, who interestingly enough also sculpted the famous statue of the greatest basketball player of all time (argue with someone else about this), Michael Jordan, outside the United Center in Chicago.
Regarding the rest of your question, the statue now points in the general direction of our recently renovated administration offices. Since 2023 we have invested over $200 million dollars into our new football facilities, locker room, training and equipment room, media space, and administrative offices. We are very proud of the renovations we have made, and continue to make, in and around Lambeau Field. It has allowed us to remain competitive on and off the field while maintaining an environment that our employees and fans are proud to call home. And finally, while I respect your idea of a complete stadium diagram...and you seem like a very trustworthy person, Jeff...I think it might be best to leave some things to the imagination regarding our facility layout and the location of people within it.
Robert from London, England
Dear Ed, I hail from London and have followed the Packers since 2012 just after our last Super Bowl win. As a London black cab driver it is my absolute pleasure to pick up Americans from Heathrow on an almost daily basis and the first thing that comes up for conversation is the NFL and the Packers. My taxi is covered with Green Bay beanies and baseball caps and that's not to mention the apparel I'm always wearing which leaves my love for the green and gold obvious for all to see. I have had some great laughs with those from Chicago as well as other teams from the NFC North. Last year my fiancée surprised me for my 50th and took me to Green Bay and Lambeau for the Week 2 encounter against the Commanders. I did the stadium tour and the HOF tour. It was a truly amazing experience and a lifelong ambition realized. This coming season we intend to do an away game and have penciled in New York for our game against the Jets! My question is simple. Will there be a stock sale anytime soon and what are the rules on becoming a shareholder from overseas? It would mean the world to me to just own a single share! Good luck for the upcoming offseason and give my very best wishes to all the coaches, board and players! Go Pack Go!
Thanks for the question, Robert and I am glad you got to see us win against the Commanders. I hope to hear your "Go Pack Go" chants from MetLife this fall. Since originally becoming a publicly owned, nonprofit corporation in 1923, we have had six stock sales: 1923, 1935, 1950, 1997, 2011, and 2022. Our 2011 stock sale was the first time stock purchases were permitted in Canada, but some regulatory hurdles make international stock sales challenging. We don't have any stock sales planned for the immediate future. However, we do plan on continuing to deepen our relationships throughout the UK, Ireland, and Germany through the NFL global markets program. Whether it is Daniel Whelan's February Cheesehead tour where he visited soccer clubs and pubs across Dublin, Glasgow, Newcastle, and London, or us potentially playing another game overseas, we will keep engaging fans in these countries.
Joe from Woodstock, IL
Good morning Ed, will the Packers be pressed/encouraged to sponsor the "aiding the runner / tush push" rule change proposal, or will the NFL or the rules committee take the lead this time? The scrums of 12 to 20 players pushing and pulling is getting embarrassingly out of hand, not to mention potentially dangerous. Also many folks feel the NFL needs to amend when assistant coaches can be interviewed, especially those on playoff and Super Bowl teams. Much appreciated.
Thanks for your question, Joe. As a general explanation, NFL playing-rule proposals from teams had to be submitted by Friday, Feb. 13. Discussions will continue over the next month, culminating with the competition committee presentation and team votes at the NFL Annual Meeting at the end of March. I must say it is one of the most fascinating and important processes of the annual meeting and I'm looking forward to it. The Packers did not submit any proposals this year.
Bobby from Rockton, IL
Dear Mr. Policy,I greatly enjoy your monthly column and the insights you share with fans. I have a question I hope you might address: Would you help me understand the value that the reporting structure – first under Mr. Murphy and now under yourself – brings to the organization? Specifically, how does having Coach LaFleur, Mr. Gutekunst, and Mr. Ball all reporting directly to you provide the best framework to achieve success and ultimately help the Packers win a Super Bowl? Thank you for taking the time to consider this question. I appreciate your perspective and all you do for the team.
Bobby, good to hear from you. I know that much has been made about our structure over the past several years in some media circles, and I certainly understand and respect that. The way I look at it is pretty straightforward. First, there isn't one perfect or correct structure, as all have potential strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, reporting structures vary around the league and they've all enjoyed success at different times. What's most important to me, and this is true for any industry or endeavor, are the people. Do you have the right people? Selfless, talented and driven people will make any structure work. I firmly believe that Brian, Matt and Russ possess those qualities...and more...to make us successful.
A question from Chuck
Hello Mr. Policy, I hope this email finds you well. Recently in the Insider Inbox, a reader questioned Wes Hodkiewicz if any of the Packers' brass read the column to get a pulse of Packers fans' avid disposition. I realize that there are bigger fish to fry but I hope you have given it a look. As always, Go Pack Go and I am looking forward to seeing you at the shareholders meeting.
Great question, Chuck. First, let me commend Wes, and Mike Spofford, for the work they do covering the team and interacting with our fans. They serve an important role for the team and truly believe they enhance the enjoyment of being a Packers fan. To answer your question, yes, I am aware of the avid disposition of Packers fans, and not just because of the highly entertaining Insider Inbox. One of the great privileges of my job is hearing from and interacting with Packers fans directly. You are not a bashful group, and I wouldn't want it any other way. I learned long ago, whether it's positive or negative, I am just happy our fans care. That being said, it's important to maintain perspective in this role and as the late Buddy Ryan once said, "If you listen to the fans, you'll be sitting up there with them." And as I mentioned last month, in this role it is important to make rational and objective decisions during highly emotional times.
