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.
As we turn the page to the 2026 season, I am extremely optimistic and confident in our football leadership – Brian, Matt, and Russ – and their ability to get the right people in the right places for us to compete for our ultimate goal, a Super Bowl championship. It goes without saying, our season didn't end the way we wanted, but the season only ends the way you want for one team. That's the business.
I spent substantial time in the weeks following the season with our football leaders ensuring we are all aligned in purpose and communicating clearly and directly. I firmly believe we have the right people and a solid process for success. We have the distinct privilege of working for the Packers and everyone in our organization will continue striving tirelessly to develop and support a championship-caliber team.
I am also excited about the addition of Jonathan Gannon to our coaching staff as defensive coordinator. Jonathan brings a wealth of experience from around the league to our team. He led a top-ranked defense that competed in the Super Bowl in Philadelphia before joining the Arizona Cardinals as their head coach for the past three seasons. I'd be remiss to not mention how proud I am of both Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley. Jon-Eric spent decades here in Green Bay with an incredible path that started as a training camp intern in 2003. Jeff made a remarkable impact during his two seasons here. They put their heart and soul into their work here in Green Bay and I have the utmost respect for each of them. Jon-Eric will be an excellent general manager, and Jeff will be outstanding in his role as head coach of the Miami Dolphins. I am proud that the Packers organization continues to develop some of the top talent in the NFL.
I know our fans are disappointed that we did not advance further in the playoffs and I can assure you everyone inside Lambeau Field is more committed than ever to bringing a Lombardi Trophy home. Over the coming days and months, we are going to do everything we can to prepare our team to compete at the highest level. That process started immediately after the NFC Wild Card round. Now, let's turn the page to your questions from the last month…
Jordan from Lake Geneva, WI
Hey Ed, thanks for everything you did this past season. Looking forward to seeing how your first (full) offseason in this new role goes! There is obviously a snowstorm that is expected to impact most of the country this weekend (unfortunately not everyone can handle snow as well as us in Wisconsin), which got me thinking about sledding in general and Ariens Hill in particular. My question is this: Will you be sledding down Ariens Hill this winter like Mark Murphy famously did? Thanks for the time, and good luck this offseason!
Thanks for the question, Jordan. I'm glad we made it out of the snowstorm relatively unscathed up here in northern Wisconsin. I've said it before, but this time of year is my favorite around the Titletown district. Just last weekend we hosted our seventh annual Titletown Winter Games. We partnered with USA luge, curling, and biathlon, for families and kids of all ages to experience these winter sports hands-on. When we designed Titletown, we set out to bring our community together in all seasons. I'm proud that we've seen that come to fruition. To answer your main question, I will absolutely be tubing down Ariens Hill this winter. If you believe Punxsutawney Phil, you'll have about six more weeks of winter weather to enjoy skating and tubing. Although I wouldn't fully trust a groundhog, usually the weather stops cooperating between the end of February and St. Patrick's Day.
Kim from Grafton, WI
Dear Ed, I'm a Packer fan…66 years in. I know you have a lot of decisions to make, but I do hope you keep Matt LaFleur on as head coach. He loves our organization and honestly, his season-ending press conference really solidified that for me. That man wears his heart on his sleeve, and his players care about him. I was sad how things ended this year, but with all the injuries the team experienced, we did what we could. And I'm embarrassed by all the nasty comments that are being made. No one should have to take that kind of verbal abuse. That's my two cents worth. Good luck with everything and Go Pack Go!
Thanks, Kim. Matt and I were both excited to extend his contract. I have worked closely with Matt for more than seven years, and this decision was based off first-hand knowledge of that seven-year body of work. Our record with Matt at the helm is 76-40-1. Since 2019, no other coach in the NFC has won more games than Matt, and only two other coaches in the NFL have won more than him in that time. I've been at every one of those games and witnessed Matt during both the highs and the lows. Matt is a teacher first and foremost, as all great coaches are. He comes from a family of teachers, growing up watching both of his parents teach and coach. I've been especially impressed by his ability to develop talented individual players into a cohesive winning team. His work with quarterbacks is unparalleled around the league. He helped Aaron Rodgers win back-to-back MVP awards and lead our team to two NFC Championship games. He is developing Jordan Love into a top-tier quarterback, reaching the playoffs in each of his first three years as a starter. He has also been instrumental in Malik Willis achieving his potential over the past two seasons. Our players love playing for Matt and I assure you coaches like Matt are not easy to find in the National Football League. I've heard some of the same negativity you have coming out of the disappointing loss to the Bears and I understand it. I appreciate how deeply our fans care about the success of our team. They hold us to very high expectations and I wouldn't have it any other way. We are going to continue to do everything we can to meet those expectations. Football is an emotional game, and I understand the high emotions that go into a playoff game against our longest-held rival. However, in my seat, you must rise above emotions and analyze objectively an entire body of work to make a long-term decision that puts the team in the best position to compete for Super Bowls year in and year out. That's the process I went through following our season. Candidly, over the years I've grown to appreciate ownership groups that built dynasties through level-headed steadfast continuity in lieu of emotional chaos.
Shawn from Cedar Falls, IA
Mr. Policy! Perhaps by next column the season will have concluded or about to. 1) Do players have access to Packers facilities during the offseason? If so, why clean out lockers? Next is my suggestion for scheduling. Since preseason has taken a hit with the additional game, make the first four weeks of the season AFC vs. NFC games. They count but aren't as painful of a loss or important of a win. Then, when teams are "warmed up" and webs are knocked out, meat of the season runs to the end. Enjoy the column.
Thanks, Shawn, for the interesting question. Players have access to the facility for our entire offseason. While "locker clean out" is widely used to reference the day after the season ends, it is far from players simply packing up all the equipment. Backing up to the beginning of our offseason program, our equipment crew stocks every player's locker with the necessary gear, shirts, shorts, gloves, etc. Then at the start of training camp we restock everyone's locker with the on-field gear for that season. This gear and personal items accumulate throughout the season and at the end of the season is when players take time to tidy up. Many players take any necessary equipment with them so they can train with teammates offsite or wherever they may spend some of their offseason. However, gameday necessities like helmets and shoulder pads are left here and reconditioned so they can be ready to go when the next offseason program starts.
As for this offseason, we are continuing to invest heavily in our football space, ensuring it is state of the art. We are currently renovating our equipment room for the first time in 20-plus years and our athletic training room, which was last updated in 2014. We're also rebuilding a brand-new media space. By the NFL Draft, our beat reporters will be welcomed back to a new media auditorium, private office space, and their own kitchenette/lunch room, which are accommodations that are becoming increasingly rare around the league.
On your scheduling question, that's an interesting thought. As you know, as of late, we've recently started with either divisional or conference opponents. I think preseason is a way to get warmed up so we are ready to go. As you saw in September, we opened the regular season with a win against a division rival (Detroit Lions) followed by a win against a conference foe (Washington Commanders) just four days later.
Mason from Manitowoc, WI
Mr. Policy, thanks for doing this column. Obviously, disappointing loss against the Bears but feels like we are close to making a breakthrough. I imagine you all have to begin preparing for an event as big as the Super Bowl well in advance. Now that we aren't making it, what exactly happens? Do you go even if you are not competing? Imagine it'll be nice to get back to Bay Area if you still have family there!
I appreciate your question, Mason. You are correct there is a lot of prep work that goes into the Super Bowl even if you aren't playing in the big game. Every club sends representatives and usually their owners to the Super Bowl. There are numerous events throughout the week that lead up to the game where owners and leaders from different teams celebrate the season and connect and network with potential business partners or sponsors. Much like an away game, it's a business trip with numerous events scattered about like NFL Honors, the commissioner's reception, and various meetings. While it will mostly be a work trip, I do have family in the area, so I'll be carving out an evening while in San Francisco to connect with my dad over dinner.
Chris from Hartford, WI
Ed, what are your thoughts on the Steelers hiring Mike McCarthy? You must have interacted with him while he was with the Packers.
Mike McCarthy is one of my favorite people in the NFL and I couldn't be happier for him and the Pittsburgh Steelers. I worked closely with Mike for seven seasons. He is originally from Pittsburgh, less than an hour away from where I grew up in Youngstown, Ohio. Mike and I would frequently talk about our hometowns and the people that called that part of the country home. The integrity and grit of people who hail from that region is second to none. We both have a tremendous respect for the Steelers and the Rooney family. In my opinion, the Rooneys are the architype for owners in the National Football League. During Mike's time in Green Bay, he had a tremendous impact on our organization and our community and most notably delivered a Lombardi Trophy to Green Bay. I'm reminded of that every morning when I take a left on Mike McCarthy Way on my way into work at Lambeau Field. To go from coaching the Green Bay Packers to the Dallas Cowboys to the Pittsburgh Steelers is truly legendary. Mike is one of one.
