Kent from Duluth, MN

Seeing the submissions to yesterday's II, there is a sense of hope in Packerland. The issue for the year is that often we were playing against two teams each week. The objective for next year is to reduce that to just the opposing team! I am optimistic…the fate of the Pack is in their own hands!

It was a good season in so many ways. Like Spoff wrote on Monday, it's just regrettable we never got to see the 2024 Packers at their peak. If it wasn't turnovers, it was penalties. If it wasn't penalties, it was slow starts. It was just always something. The exciting thing is Green Bay was still a young team with everything still out there for it. But a big step will be expected this offseason.

Greg from Perkasie, PA

I initially asked, "What was that?" regarding that game. But after watching the highlights back, it seemed like it was turnovers and small detailed miscues in execution. Change one or two turnovers, Malik Heath getting his foot in bounds on fourth down, maybe some other plays and the Packers would have been right in it at the end. Disappointing for sure, but overall, I like where the team is at. Get some more offensive weapons and continue to build the defense in Jeff Hafley's second year and we'll be good.

I think hiring Hafley will go down as one of LaFleur's best moves in six years as head coach. Hafley made the most out of a very challenging situation this year, got guys to buy into his system and produced a top five defense. He should be proud of the job he did. To the other part of your question, I'm not big on the "change this or that" hypotheticals. That can apply to any team in the NFL. The Packers didn't execute Sunday and their season is over because of it.

Laurie from Sheboygan, WI

For me, the hardest part of the playoff game (other than the final score), was seeing so many players exit the game with injuries which seemed potentially significant. Will we get an update on them anytime soon? Wishing them all well.

As part of the concussion protocol, Romeo Doubs isn't allowed to speak the media but was talking with teammates in the locker room after the game, which was good to see. Josh Myers appears to have avoided a major injury and was walking around the locker room OK on Tuesday. Jayden Reed said he won't need surgery on his shoulder but needs some rest after also suffering a minor tear to his labrum.

Chad from Oregon, WI

So many players really showed up this year, including our new safety trio, Keisean Nixon, and Josh Jacobs. Looking across the whole season, which less-heralded players would you call out as making big contributions, particularly at less-valued positions? I think T.J. Slaton made a huge difference for our defense, for example.

Slaton really came on during the second half. One guy I'm proud of is Sean Rhyan. He wasn't flawless, but the former third-round pick took another step in 2024 and has improved every year he's been in Green Bay. Rhyan kept a good attitude while rotating with first-round pick Jordan Morgan and became a reliable, durable starting right guard.

Joe from Tucson, AZ

Disappointing but not unexpected ending to the season. Defense played well but still needs to put more pressure on the opposing QB. If I was making a wish list, a dominant pass rusher would be at the top. Do you think "56" could be that guy next year?

I don't think y'all ever see Edgerrin Cooper as a featured pass rusher, but he can do it all at inside linebacker and is absolutely the real deal. Cooper's performance reminded me of Casey Hayward coming in as a rookie in 2012 and recording six picks. He's going to be a player in this league for a long, long time.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

Tough loss and our holes were exposed. Will the Packers make a splash in FA and pick up an offensive lineman or two and a WR No. 1?

We're two months from free agency, so I don't want to go there quite yet. However, the Packers' two best players this year were Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney. Jacobs talked after the game about trying to get more guys to Green Bay. Yes, Green Bay has some players coming up for contracts, but it's probably worth considering dipping the toes back in the FA waters again if the right free agents are available.

Bryan from Springfield, OH

I'm curious to see how Jordan Love progresses next year. I don't feel like we saw the second-year (as a starter) jump that we expected. There were some positives like the amazing throws he made at times and the ability to learn how to limit interceptions (except the last game). But there were also negatives such some questionable throws, inability to play very well through injury, and not showing ability to "take the team on his back" at crunch time during end of season. What do you think next year brings?

I'm not sure what you want me to tell you, but Love learns from this season. He's the guy and the Packers are paying him accordingly. The passing game never shifted into that next gear this year, but that's not all on Love. Every offensive player and coach had a hand in that.

Lori from Brookfield, WI

Wes, what was your favorite memory from the 2024 season?

Brandon McManus' game-winner against Houston.

Steve from Plymouth, MA

I truly hope that Matt LaFleur is around for many more years. However, I noticed that only Sean McDermott is a longer-tenured head coach and not reached the Super Bowl. ML seemed to slide back a bit himself this year along with the whole offensive (i.e., bad time management, slow to adjust to what the opponent's defense was doing, etc.). If better practicing helps players get better, how do coaches improve?

By looking in the mirror and reflecting on where the Packers came up short, which LaFleur said he'll do this offseason. I want to reserve the rest of my comments on LaFleur and Co. until we hear from him this morning, which likely will come around the same time this column posts.

Bill from Brooklyn Park, MN

After Sunday's loss, Monday Night Football was such sweet schadenfreude.

And then there was one NFC North team. Anyone can beat anybody at any time, man. But boy, the Rams sure are a different football team with a healthy Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Tyler Higbee and Puka Nacua. A tip of the cap to Sean McVay. I thought resting everyone and falling to the No. 4 seed was a misstep. I was clearly wrong.

Leanna from Mandan, ND

Anyone else sad that Sam Darnold's price tag has decreased over the past two weeks? I was hoping the Vikes would be spending a pretty penny to keep him.

This is a strange game, man. In a matter of two weeks, I went from the Vikings absolutely need to re-sign Darnold to I'm not sure what they should do. A big offseason ahead for one of the NFL's oldest teams.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, the Packers were playing better football offensively last year at this time. The defense is much improved comparatively, but as far as complementary football, the last three games were not good. This team had a better record, and by all accounts was a better team...but how do you reconcile the overall improvement with the poor performance against Philly?

It just depends on how you look at it. The Packers won two more regular-season games and made a lot of strides this year in both the run game and on defense. At the end of the day, however, Green Bay didn't get any closer to the goal.

Jeff from Ogden, UT

Lots of Monday morning quarterbacking here, mind if I chime in? About five minutes to go in the fourth quarter, ball around the 40, third-and-3, Josh Jacobs is out, Elgton Jenkins is out, his replacement at right guard is struggling. The play? Run Emanuel Wilson into the gap between the center and right guard. Make it make sense.

The Packers were in four-down territory, but the play went nowhere. Right or wrong, it's really as simple as that.

Mark from Ada, OK

Football teams need to perform at a level that negates the possible impact that the officials could have. However, I'm curious. Does New York have access to the sky cam footage during replay review?

Evidently not.

Fred from Lake Forest, CA

I agree that Green Bay may have been dominated by a Philadelphia team that was always in control and dominated the game. But can you think of a play that could have changed the momentum of the game given a different outcome?

Brad Allen's understanding – or lack thereof – of targeting and fumble recoveries. That's what happens, though, when you lose the ball and leave it in the referees' hands.

Jeff from Adrian, MI

As well as the defense played in the NFC Wild Card game the defense was called for two personal fouls that extended Eagles drives and cost the Packers field position. There seems to be a general lack of discipline for the team which shouldn't be this late in a season and with a long-term coach. Your thoughts?

I felt both were ticky-tacky penalties, especially in Keisean Nixon's case. But to your point, those 15-yard penalties still can't happen. Not in the playoffs. Green Bay just could not get out of its own way, which epitomized the entire season.

Donald from Big Flats, WI

Thanks for a great season of II. We saw the defense climb in the ranks all year. Was Preston Smith leaving the start? Young guys got more time? We just didn't seem to have any continuity on offense with injuries to different receivers/tight ends. The run game was healthy all year, but the pass game just seemed to change weekly. When someone goes down there's always a domino effect, such as the offensive line experienced on Sunday. This should be an interesting offseason for Gutey and Co. Thanks.

Smith was a big part of this team's success over the last five years but sometimes there's a need for new blood. I thought Brenton Cox Jr., in particular, maximized his opportunity. I'm excited to see his growth in 2025.

Ray from West Des Moines, IA

Now that the season is over. Can you provide some information on Eric Stokes? He was coming into the season needing to prove that he could stay healthy and play his position at an acceptable level. I don't know all the details, but I haven't heard he was injured to any extent, and I think he got a fair amount of playing time. I don't think he or Christian Watson had any hamstring issues. Maybe we learned how to deal with hamstring problems.

Stokes stayed healthy throughout. As far as playing time is concerned, I think that had more to do with how well Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon performed than anything Stokes did. Stokes also doesn't play the slot like Javon Bullard does. Sometimes you're the odd man out.

Tucker from Belton, TX

It's really a shame that Jerry Jones denied teams the opportunity to talk to Mike McCarthy and then didn't re-sign him. It cost McCarthy valuable time in a crowded head coach field. I wouldn't expect anything different from him, but it makes me thankful for the Packers' ownership structure.

I think Dallas will miss McCarthy's leadership. He handled everything that comes with being the Cowboys' head coach as well as anyone who's ever sat in that seat in the Jones era.

Joe from Swansea, IL

Yikes! Is anybody beside me dreading the possibility Mike McCarthy could be back in the NFC North? The last thing the Bears and their QB need is a smart, competent, creative adult in the head coach's office.

The amount of disrespect McCarthy receives confounds me. He'd be an excellent hire for either Chicago or New Orleans, where he previously coached from 2000-04.

Gary from Davenport, IA

Wes, your Saturday sub-headline read, "Start fast, protect the football and let's see what happens." Funny how the polar opposite occurred before the first play from scrimmage. It made me wonder how different the game might have turned out had Keisean Nixon taken a knee in the end zone.

We don't live in that world, though. All these athletes are the best of the best and they play in that moment. Not to be trite, but there's a reason we're watching and they're playing.

Craig from Brookfield, WI

Always look on the bright side of life (whistle, whistle, whistle) ...
1. Clearly, the better team won. This was merely a longshot that was missed.
2. This roster is young, and the arrow is still pointing up.
3. Our GM can identify and acquire talent, without selling the future.
4. The end of the Packers' season means spring is on the way.
5. Spoff 'n Hod are also (fairly) young and haven't even peaked yet.

This Saturday marks 10 years since the 2014 NFC Championship Game. Winter is indeed coming.

Kirk from Burlington, WI

Couple things I'd like to see changed but probably never will in the NFL. I thinking holding penalties should be 5 instead of 10 yards. The punishment just doesn't fit in my opinion when unsportsmanlike is 15 and holding happens every play. Also, I don't think ball carriers should be able to stiff arm to the face/head. Any other time or place on the field is a penalty and player safety. But a ball carrier can turn guy's head around to get away. What do you guys think?

I've maintained for years the league should consider illegal hands to the face for ball-carriers, who are almost incentivized to do so. Spoff may throw me in the airplane water closet for saying this, but I feel like holding penalties on running plays should be five yards instead of 10.

Eric from Westerville, OH

I'm another grateful fan. A fan of the Pack and a fan of so many people and players in the organization. In Cleveland, both Wes and Mike stopped to say hi to me and sign my daughter's cheesehead. We also got a picture with Wayne Larrivee! The other person who gave us a moment to say hi and sign the cheesehead…Head Coach Matt LeFleur! I was there with my daughter, my mom and my dad, we felt so amazing after all the interactions. Thank you for all the amazing work you do. Go Pack Go!

Thank you for sharing that story, Eric. I love so many things about the game of football but highest on the list is how the sport brings people together. It sucks the season is over, but I'm thankful for my 13th spin around the NFL sun. Have a good Tuesday.