Inbox: Jayden Reed's poise matches his talent

Josh from Vero Beach, FL

Nnnnoooooooooooooooo…

Devastated is not a word I throw around lightly, but that's where I am at 10:41 p.m. CT. Not because of football. Not because of some dumb draft picks. Because sometimes this sport is cruel. Aaron Rodgers is a generational talent. He has put everything into his craft and given so much to the game of football. Watching that play unfold Monday night, the first thing that came to mind for me was, "Not this way."

Mark from Eau Claire, WI

Stunning. For the months-long offseason drama to reach a huge turning point in the spring, and then for all the speculation and hype over the summer to potentially end...like that?! I hope for the sake of everybody that Rodgers' prognosis is better than what some think. Life can be strange.

Stunning in so many ways. All that pomp and circumstance for Rodgers' New York debut and he's out after three snaps and one pass. It turned out to be a wonderfully entertaining football game…and likely one of the strangest I've ever witnessed. A tip of the cap to Robert Saleh for keeping his players' heads in the game. Respect. The man can coach.

Mark from Westminster, CO

If reports are true that it's an Achilles injury, AR8 is out for the year. I can't even imagine how the Jets team or fans will feel after the Monday Night Football win wears off. Unbelievable win!

That ending is what made this all very surreal.

Ben from Sioux Falls, SD

I know there will be a lot of submissions about losing out on the first-rounder but the worst thing about Rodgers' injury is we, as fans, are robbed of seeing another full year of a truly special player. The season won't be the same without him.

I appreciated the maturity of the late Monday submissions after Saleh told ESPN the Jets fear it's an Achilles tear. The draft-pick talk was cute in the offseason, but this injury is much bigger than that. This is a game where stars are abundant, but legends are few and far between. If Aaron Rodgers really suffered a significant injury Monday night, the NFL is worse for it today. I'm gonna reserve the rest of my comments until we know more, but this just sucks.

Michelle from Ringgold, GA

What do you think the Packers' first win says about the new team?

Building off a quote from Lukas Van Ness in the postgame locker room, Sunday's win proved to me this young team is made for this moment. It won't always be perfect, but they will always be ready.

Michael from De Pere, WI

Chortle: 1) to sing or chant exultantly. 2) to laugh or chuckle especially when amused or pleased. Pardon my ignorance, but what is wrong with chortling when our team has whooped the Bears? Not even the Vikings are on the same level as this most-storied rivalry. We get 24 hours to enjoy a victory, so, why not chortle? Maybe we are forgetting that football is entertainment and for our enjoyment and amusement. Seems right on par with chortling to me?

It's fans' right to celebrate. It's only human after a long offseason of change. However, we stand by what we wrote last week. Win or lose, the Packers can't get too hung up on Sunday's result. The Packers have bigger goals than beating the Bears. They did it twice last year but didn't make the playoffs. They cannot be snake charmed by early success. The Packers must stay the path.

Nick from Springfield, MO

Jordan Love played great football, but the play that gave me confidence in his ability to truly be "the man" was the fumbled snap and completion to Luke Musgrave. No panic from JL, just calmly scooped up the ball, kept his eyes downfield and found the (wide) open man. I think I used the word poised about half a dozen times in describing his play. Impressive.

He does not panic. He does not fold. For all the unknowns this offseason, I felt confident saying Love's poise is special and you saw the value in that ironclad resolve against the Bears. In MMA, they often talk about "no wasted motion." With Jordan Love, there are no wasted thoughts.

Dan from Columbus, OH

I think it's worth mentioning that the pick we all wanted (and almost did) to trade for Chase Claypool became Jayden Reed, who was more impactful, and I would certainly rather have. Excited to see more of him and Musgrave.

Echoing what Spoff wrote yesterday, Reed has looked the part of a Packers rookie receiver primed to make a Year 1 impact. I even mentioned to James Jones during Packers pregame radio Sunday how Reed reminds me of him, Greg Jennings, and Randall Cobb. All three had different strengths as rookies, but the common thread was their moxie. Likewise, Reed's poise matches his talent.

Glen from Leesburg, VA

Of all the plays in the win against the Bears, one stands out as real confidence builder for the entire team: the 52-yard FG that Anders Carlson drilled at the end of the first half was the real tide-turning play. Not only did he make a long FG, but he hammered it. That would have been good from 60-plus. No one blinked and that set the tone for the second half, which the Packers dominated. There's more adversity on the way, but I like the way they handled Week 1. Great confidence booster.

What I said about Reed also applies to Carlson. He has the right disposition for an NFL kicker – strong leg and short memory. I don't think you can overstate the importance of that kick before halftime. It provided a boost into the break, especially after the sack.

Bill from Menominee, MI

Two things that you've regularly commented on leading up to Week 1 came to fruition for us fans limited to only Sunday exposure. 1. Jordan Love is cool as a cucumber. He didn't appear to get easily rattled after missing a play regardless of fault. 2. Jayden Reed looks the part. Honorable mention to Darnell Savage. Although not a rookie or question mark, Savage played his best game yet.

Savage has played some good ball for the Packers, but that was a tone-setting performance on Sunday. He was physical throughout and finished with the third double-digit-tackle day of his career. Coincidentally, it's also Savage's second in a row. He had 11 tackles vs. the Lions in the 2022 finale.

Joe from Wausau, WI

The game Sunday showed that maybe the best thing a team can do for a young QB is put him behind a good offensive line. I think it's been the key for the resurgence of the Lions and Eagles. The trenches matter.

We talked about it all week. The Packers needed to win up front, and they did just that. They set the tone in the trenches. The offensive line allowed just one sack and three hits of Love, while the defensive front was relentless in its pursuit of Fields. Pro Football Focus charted 35 pressures for Green Bay's defense. To my untrained eye, Devonte Wyatt routinely was in the backfield.

Scott from Palos Park, IL

The Packers DL rotation had success against the Bears but next week they face a Falcons team that had two backs average over five yards a carry (and lead the team in receptions). Is it possible we will see fewer nickel and dime sets next week?

That's the most encouraging part. The Packers didn't run much true 3-4 against the Bears, but I actually feel the base front can be a real strength for this defense against more traditional run-oriented schemes.

Thomas from Cedar Rapids, IA

Living in Eastern Iowa, my definition of a perfect football weekend has always been Hawkeyes win, Packers win, Vikings loss, Bears loss. Check, check, check, check. Lots to clean up but I'll revel in this for a few days. The game is always won in the trenches, and I thought the Packers dominated there on both sides of the ball. It will be interesting to see if that will continue against a non-Bears team. I don't know if Atlanta is for real, but the early schedule favors Love's development.

At the end of the day, the Packers did exactly what they needed to do against a Chicago team that had three wins last year and a lot of question marks this season. Green Bay is in transition but still was a better team on paper. The Packers executed and must keep that momentum rolling in the ATL.

Rudy from Cedarburg, WI

Can the D continue to pressure the QB? I think that was (and will continue to be) the key to winning football in the NFL. I was happy to see some rookies contribute, but Wyatt was great and Kenny Clark was awesome. Question: Can the Pack D keep up this same effort and style of play?

I thought the defense's performance against Fields and Chicago's run game was big time. The Bears aren't considered to have the strongest offensive line in the league, but they may have the most dangerous QB in terms of his ability to make plays with his feet. In addition to winning up front, the Packers showed their team speed defending Fields at the second level. That's something to build on.

Daniel from Tehachapi, CA

How did no one comment on Lukas Van Ness yesterday? He ran down Fields! Running quarterbacks have destroyed us for years. Do we finally have an answer?

Hey, it was all there in our game notes. This matchup really showcased Van Ness' power and speed. I also like the five-OLB rotation the Packers had going. Preston Smith's 35 snaps (47%) might have been one of his lower percentages in four-plus years with the Packers, but it served a purpose. The Packers kept their edge rushers fresh throughout.

Paul from Lexington, KY

A great and complete game in all phases! Love looked poised, prepared, and confident. Previously, we all had the expectation to win the Super Bowl; now, with this team, it's so exciting to enjoy their possibilities. We have our next QB. Any update on injuries?

It seems the Packers got out relatively clean. Reed cramped up but returned to corral the onside kick. Jones told reporters afterwards he thinks he should be fine with the hamstring. Quay Walker sustained a concussion on his TD, though, and is in the protocol, according to LaFleur.

Clay from Council Bluffs, IA

Wes, I saw Ben Sims in at TE during a play and wondered why it wasn't Tucker Kraft. Was he inactive this game?

No, Kraft was out there. He actually played more snaps than Sims (13-12), but Sims was used as an in-line blocker in some of those three-TE sets.

Margeaux from Tallahassee, FL

Good win, Wes! Was that the most unnecessary roughness penalties called in a game that you have ever seen? It seemed like a lot to me.

It was a chippy game, and the penalties were something LaFleur discussed with the team Monday. However, I put a slight asterisk next to the penalty on De'Vondre Campbell, who was defending a compromised teammate.

Jim from Morris, IL

Who all received game balls?

Love and Kenny Clark, whose dad saw him play in-person on Sunday for the first time since Kenny was 8 years old. Kenny told Kassidy Hill and me in Monday's locker room that he gave the ball to his father afterward. I'll have more on that Wednesday.

Mike from Sturgeon Bay, WI

Why was Patrick Taylor on the active roster and played? Was Emanuel Wilson suited up too? He clearly outplayed Taylor to win that spot.

Taylor and Innis Gaines were both active for special teams. They were core players a year ago for Rich Bisaccia's unit and can be elevated up to three times from the practice squad.

James from Willand, UK

I may have missed it, but was Joe Barry up in the box or on the sideline on Sunday?

He was in the box. It sounds like everything went smoothly.

Chris from New Canaan, CT

Clearly, Daniel Whelan has a big leg, which is great under most circumstances. I think there were two occasions when we had the opportunity to pin the Bears back and the kick resulted in a touchback; one other was a good outcome, a fair catch at Chicago 5-yard line. Have you seen evidence that Whelan can be a better situational and directional punter, or is that a work in progress?

Respectfully, you're a little off-balance. Whelan's first touchback traveled 68 yards and bounced into the end zone. That 48-yard net is a win. He bounced his other touchback inside the 5, but the coverage players tracked the returner's disguise instead of where the ball hit.

Jesus from El Paso, TX

I know silence is sacred in the press box, but please tell me you let out a chuckle when the referee called a false start on the Bears' "entire offensive line." On to my question: According to my research, which I didn't do, the Falcons will prove a strong opponent. What makes them so?

There were a few chuckles in the press box Sunday, including on that play. Atlanta has young talent at its skill positions with Kyle Pitts, Drake London and now Bijan Robinson, who looks like a real game-changer. Desmond Ridder had an uneventful debut, but he protected the ball well in a game in which the Falcons won the turnover margin 3-0.

Hannes from Glendale, WI

Developing a quarterback has got to be more difficult than drafting a talented player and let him sit for three years behind a Hall of Fame-bound player, right? I mean, not everyone has said Hall of Famer to begin with and those that do don't always succeed, otherwise Jimmy Garoppolo would play in New England.

The Press-Gazette's Pete Dougherty raised a salient point in his column previewing Sunday's opener. If Love succeeds, you wonder how it might change the way the NFL approaches developing franchise QBs. We place immediate gratification on a pedestal in our society but that doesn't make development any less important.

Dennis from Parrish, FL

Not chortling and it's still early, but explain to me again why the Packers are the ONLY team out of 32 who are willing to wait several years on a quarterback to develop? Almost a '60s and '70s style way of team building? It looks like a strategy that works.

Patience is a lost art in this sport, and most ownership structures aren't willing to give GMs and coaches the time to develop young QBs. Obviously, it helps having a future Hall of Famer win back-to-back MVPs during your future QB's first two seasons, but ultimately it comes down to patience.

Brock from West Lafayette, IN

Good morning, I know it's only Week 1, but what was the biggest non-Packers story from around the other games this weekend? The Cowboys' dominating defense? The Bengals' bungal? The Lions upsetting the reigning champs? There just isn't any sport that can create so many headlines week in and week out like football!

I didn't expect Joe Burrow and the Bengals to struggle as mightily as they did in his first game back, but it is tough to hit the ground running after missing so much time. So, I'll go with Dallas crushing the New York Giants the way it did as my biggest non-Packers story. The Cowboys' defense came as advertised.

Joe from Hampshire, IL

Wes, looking dapper in suit and tie, what is the story there? How was the Soldier Field press box food selection? Only Game 1 but the field turf seemed fine, maybe we get David Bakhtiari's opinion?

There was no dress code at the Press-Gazette, but I started wearing a tie during the 2014 opener. For me, it's about respecting the game. These guys put their bodies on the line every Sunday. The least I can do is dress the part of a reporter. Press-box food was OK, and the field seemed fine. I didn't ask anyone about it afterwards.

Jesse from Appleton, WI

Hey guys, I just want to thank both of you for the live blog and Twitter (X) updates. At kickoff, I was on a train from the Vancouver airport to downtown. The other passengers looked at me a little funny when I pumped my fist after the Packers stopped the Bears on fourth down. It was great to be able to follow the action until I was able to find a location to watch the game. Your efforts helped this fan stay connected to the action and I really appreciate it.

Glad to hear. That's what we're here for. Welcome to Week 2.