Dan from Algonquin, IL

Hi Wes, 199 and counting. How awesome would it be to see Josh Jacobs' first receiving TD on his 200th career reception early in the game Sunday? I envision a swing pass and a broken tackle or two before crossing the goal line and celebrating with a Lambeau Leap.

I'd be all for it. If it happens at Lambeau Field, I hope we have extra fireworks ready.

James from Appleton, WI

Playing against Jalen Hurts is good preparation for facing Anthony Richardson. What adjustments do the Packers have to make to ensure Jonathan Taylor doesn't out-Saquon Barkley Saquon Barkley?

Alignment and assignment. A lot of cliches and buzzwords get thrown around during media availability, but there's a reason for that. The Packers had a few fractures in their alignment in the second half and Barkley made them pay. Green Bay needs the pieces in the right place and hats flying to the ball to keep Jonathan Taylor in check for four quarters.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

On the TD called back because of 12 men on the field, who is responsible to what players are on and off the field on a particular play, or are the personnel groupings preset for a given play?

Players have to be aware of the situation and know when the hurry-up is called. Position coaches also must process what's happening and communicate. Players line up next to their position coaches on the sideline for a reason.

Dean from Leavenworth, IN

I apologize Wes, I tempted fate, my bad. Last week I said I was eager to see our new QB Malik Willis in action. You correctly mentioned why we shouldn't be. Sorry, lesson learned.

Thankfully, it's not a season-ending setback for Jordan Love. Hopefully, he's back in the fray sooner than later. As you pointed out, Willis has a lot of ability. This is his chance to showcase it despite the unusual circumstances.

Bill from Menominee, MI

Negligent to Malik Willis' resume, I have to ask, what type of deep-ball game does he have? It's easy to imagine Indy's defense packing in at the line to stop the run with a dual-threat backup quarterback that will be relying on the run.

Willis can chuck the pigskin. What nearly made him a Round 1-2 pick in 2022 was his ability to throw into tight windows and beat defensive backs deep. He reminded everyone of that during Tennessee's preseason finale when he hit Bryce Oliver on that 34-yard TD down the right sideline. Time is short, but Willis has the tools to make it work.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

What can the coaches do to play to the strengths of our new backup QB?

Weeks like this are what coaching is all about. As much as they want Jordan Love out there, Matt LaFleur and Tom Clements also embrace the challenge of preparing Willis to start against the Colts. Like LaFleur said, the same exact situation unfolded in Tennessee in 2018 when Marcus Mariota went down after the opener. It's stem-the-tide time.

Dennis from Parrish, FL

This is not the first time I have sent this question to the Inbox. Is Zach Tom the best player on the 2024 Green Bay Packers? I can certainly make the argument!

He's up there, Dennis. Zach Kruse tweeted on Wednesday how Tom allowed zero pressures during his 10 1-on-1 reps against Byrce Huff, who led the NFL in pressure rate last year. I believe Pro Football Focus also had Tom as the Packers' highest-rated player in Brazil. My addition to that was how Tom is doing despite missing most of the offseason with a torn pec. The Packers hit a home run on a fourth-round tackle in 2013 and they appear to have done it again.

Chris from Waukesha, WI

I imagine Jordan Love's top priority in the weeks he will be out will be rehabbing the knee (encouraging healing of the MCL, strengthening the knee, and not making things worse), but I expect he would also be called on to help Malik Willis get ready to play by sharing insights on the strengths of receivers, reads on where to go with the ball, etc. Have the coaches talked about this?

That didn't come up in LaFleur's Wednesday news conference per se, but Willis said Love was at practice and obviously is in the meetings. When Love isn't rehabbing, he's going to be in Willis' hip pocket. Again, the first image I have of Willis in Green Bay is Love talking with his new QB2 in his locker prior to Willis' first practice as a member of the Packers.

Steve from Grawn, MI

Hello Insiders! I have been waiting to see this question, maybe it is too obvious. It seems that Indy may stuff the box to make Malik beat them through the air. Do you think so, and what response do you hope from the offense? Good to be back to submitting questions after moving across the country!

It would make sense for Indianapolis to test Willis and the Packers in that way. If that's the case, it's up to the offensive line to block and receivers to win their routes. As challenging as this could be for Willis, there's plenty Green Bay can do to help whoever is under center.

Greg from Downers Grove, IL

Last weekend showed that a team (e.g. the Bears and Steelers) can win with mediocre play by their quarterback. In both games the teams ran relatively well, and their D and special teams took care of business. A TEAM approach. My theme for this week is "Willis don't kill us." If Malik can keep the O on the field as long as possible, we can do good things.

That slogan is a bit dramatic, but I concur the Chicago-Tennessee game was a great example of how to win, and lose, as a team. Caleb Williams had a very pedestrian debut, but he protected the football and the Bears' defense and special teams did the rest to propel Chicago to a win.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, is the turnover in preferred starters (offense, defense, special teams) from last season fairly typical for a NFL team, or has there been more change than usual for this Packers team?

I don't have concrete numbers, but I'm guessing the Packers probably are among the leaders when it comes to retaining starters from last year. There's been some fluctuation at safety and running back but this young Green Bay roster has most of its key cogs back.

Bobby from Sterling, OK

I was surprised that as successful as the jet sweep was that they only ran it once. I understand that it won't go for a touchdown every time, but it should still be successful and gain yards. Plus, it will, or should open up other plays.

Perhaps but it's not like that was the one motion play that generated offense. The Packers had a few explosives that originated off pre-snap motions and fly-sweep action after Jayden Reed's run. I felt like those were their most effective plays in the game. Reed's second quarter definitely helped the Packers find their footing (no pun intended).

John from Palmdale, CA

I was impressed with the D-line's gap discipline, keeping Jalen Hurts in the pocket for most of the game. Are lousy field conditions more favorable to the O-line or the pass rush?

I'd say O-line. While there may be steeper consequences for an O-lineman falling or losing his balance, the burden of proof remains on the pass rush. I still have that image of Kenny Clark falling face-first after the field gave out from underneath his feet.

Bill from Wilmington, DE

Wes, what were your feelings on the condition of the field? Do you feel both teams were exposed to possible injury more than normal?

I listen to the players and the players weren't crazy about it. Again, you can't do anything about it now, but the NFL needs to take it under consideration for future international games on soccer fields.

Tony from Davenport, IA

Thank you for that answer to Mike from Rosholt, WI. I read the II every day and as far as I can tell only myself and one other person from Davenport submit questions. To the best of my knowledge, neither one of us has ever made a comment about the coaches. I have been a Packer fan for 57 years and realize that the GM and HC know way more about personnel decisions then we do. Keep up the good work!

I think you could hear that in LaFleur's emphatic response to questions on whether Green Bay should add a backup QB. There's a difference between what the average fan thinks the Packers should do and what makes the most sense for the Packers. Sometimes those things do happen concomitantly (e.g. Cedric Benson's signing in 2012 and James Jones returning in 2015). But when a move doesn't happen, that doesn't mean the head coach or GM is wrong. It means they've identified what's in the best interest of the team and are prepared to proceed down that path, which is what they're paid to do.

Kyle from St. Charles, MO

"If I were a coach or player in this league, I would just expect bad calls to happen, all the time." LaFleur seems to subscribe to this ideology. I noticed it in the game after the questionable call on Jaire for holding with 7 minutes left. As I was flailing my arms in disgust ML was casually listening to the call and preparing for the next down. Much harder to play/coach frustrated I would imagine. Pretty impressive to keep a level head there.

Football is like playing chess in an off-road vehicle. There's gonna be bumps with officiating. You just hope to avoid the pothole that causes the pieces to fly everywhere.

Connor from Lincoln, NE

Not a question but a comment. I ordered a copy of "The Greatest Story in Sports" with the intention of reading it after the season, but it came in the other day, and I can't seem to put it down. Anyway, long-time reader and first time posting. Thanks for all your hard work throughout the year getting all of us our Packers fix!

It is a tremendous book and takes on even greater significance for me because I consider it Cliff's magnum opus. Maybe Cliff would disagree with me on that, but I feel it's the most important piece of literature on the Packers written by the most important journalist to cover the team.

Chuck from Richfield, WI

I was pleased to see Verne Lewellen on the senior player nominee list announced for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025. Cliff Christl clearly lays out his overlooked credentials. Being the Packers MVP during the first threepeat in NFL title history (1929-1931) should be reason enough to induct him. What are the chances we might see his name on the Packers' façade as a "cherry on top" while hosting the 2025 draft?

Lewellen obviously stands near the top of the list of forgotten NFL legends. After the season – if Cliff is interested – I'd love to sit down with him for a podcast on the pre-1960s Packers with a case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Dave from Frederic, WI

In regards to Ethan's comment from Wednesday, I live in NW Wisconsin, and I cannot get Packer games because of my location. Yet if I lived in Alaska I could. What's wrong with allowing me to get the programming I want?

Sometimes things make too much sense to be reality.

Joe from Pittsburgh, PA

I was shocked seeing Aaron Rodgers' and Kirk Cousins' first games back after their Achilles injuries. It seems to have robbed both of their mobility in the pocket and I'm not used to seeing Rodgers as a pure pocket passer a la Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Do you think it's also a mental block that takes time to fully test that Achilles? A few times, Rodgers looked like he wanted to roll out, but either didn't or couldn't do it. Hopefully, it's a confidence problem that will work itself out.

Rodgers is three months shy of 41. He's not exactly Michael Vick. I still saw him make several downfield throws to which we're all accustomed. There were a few drops, and the Jets couldn't really get the run game going against San Fran's front. But in terms of overall playstyle, that's the Aaron Rodgers I expected to see in Year 20.

Carl from Blue Mounds, WI

297/321 becomes more impressive every year.

Sure, but like Charles "Old Hoss" Radbourn's 59 wins in 1884, Brett Favre's record will never be broken because the game/injury protocols would no longer allow for it.

Jerry from Grantsburg, WI

"I think the larger issue is the NFL's arcane determination of a team's home market being within a 75-mile radius, which is ludicrous in Wisconsin..." Preach it, Spoff! I live in NW Wisconsin. The Vikings are my only local option because my giant antennae can't quite pick up the nearest Packers' TV market.

Go get 'em, Spoff.

Randy from Highland, IL

II, I'm not the smartest guy around but 14 million watching the game on Peacock means nothing to me. Is that a lot of viewers?

That would've made it the 33rd-most watched primetime program in 2023. So yeah, 14 million is pretty decent.

Julian from Gastonia, NC

Regarding the notion that Jordan Love must be able to protect himself before allowing him to play, some of us older folks may remember Lynn Dickey playing on knees from hell, but wow could he throw a football. He never could protect himself though. The game has changed.

In that way, for the better.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Going duck hunting in Canada this weekend. It will be another game listening to the radio. Do either of you two duck hunt?

Only on NES.

Thomas from Oviedo, FL

WOW. You were extremely rude and dismissive regarding my submission about playing in preseason. If you don't understand reality fine, but my point was factual. Don't let history get in your way of trying to show how smart you think you are. Just take my advice and put all your money on the Packers losing game one next year like always. Hope that one game doesn't cost us. I've been a Packers fan longer than you've been alive so, despite your job title, you can learn a little from me.

NFL rules prohibit employees from gambling on games but thank you for the advice.