Phillip from Wonder Lake, IL

Who will survive the enormous competition at WR?

Hi II, I recently saw a video regarding the strength and athleticism of Reggie White (my all-time favorite Packer). I’ve read a few articles comparing both speed and game speed. I guess that’s a thing, but is there a distinction between strength and game strength? I’m sure that game strength is more than bench press numbers.

It most certainly is. Leverage, explosion, stamina … all those and more factor into game strength.

Mike from New Orleans, LA

Can you help me understand how performance incentives work within the salary cap? Does the amount that counts towards the cap include the assumption that the player will hit every possible incentive? I’ve heard about likely vs. unlikely incentives, and if only the likely ones count towards the cap, what would happen if a team ends up over the limit with a bunch of unlikely ones?

An incentive is deemed “likely to be earned” (LTBE) if it’s a mark the player reached the previous season, and those count against the cap in the current year. If it’s not reached and therefore not paid out, the team gets a cap credit the following year. A “not likely to be earned” (NLTBE) incentive was not reached the previous year, and it does not count against the cap until the following year, if it ends up being paid.

I’m not looking for a precise mathematical answer here but what is the likelihood that a practice squad player at the beginning of the year ends up on the roster for at least a game? It seems like, with a couple injuries per game, they are almost guaranteed a couple games.

Many of the 16 players on the practice squad never see the active roster or get a game-day callup, but a handful do every year. My best guess is it’s in the 30-40% range.

Mike and Wes, looking at the practice photos for the team, I can’t help but notice the circles on the backs of their jerseys behind their shoulders. Could you share what those are? Is it a sensor of some sort?

Yes, they are sensors that track the body’s physical data during practice/workouts.

Adrian from Chula Vista, CA

In response to Scott from WA state, I think the threat of franchises moving to force cities to publicly fund stadiums is losing steam. Fiscally, it more prudent to put taxpayers funds toward more prudent local concerns. Case in point, the former San Diego Chargers. At first the city balked, but later the citizens and the city said goodbye. SDSU and local developers repurposed the stadium site into a nice stadium/entertainment venue with housing and retail in the works.

I think it very much depends on the city. Affinity for, and the value of, a pro football team in San Diego compared to, say, Buffalo doesn’t really compare. It took a long, long time to get there, but the Bills eventually got $850M in public funding toward their new stadium.

Aggressive players play to the “echo of the whistle.” Which current or former Packers player comes to mind for you as a personification of this principle?

T.J. Lang and Mike Daniels were the first two I’ve covered who came to mind.

II, I believe both Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave are eligible for extensions or new contracts at the end of 2025. What do you think are the chances we keep both of them in GB?

They can play their third and maybe even fourth seasons before there’s any need to ponder that.

Luke from Port Alsworth, AK

Good day Mike/Wes, in regards to practice squad players and their scout team usage, who are the coaches that tell them what to do/teach them the plays and what is their weekly process? Seems like they need to know the Packers’ playbook and then have to divert their attention each week on other teams’ as well. Any further insight would be fun to know.

The quality control coaches do a lot of the work on the opponent plays that are incorporated into practice. I don’t know how much studying the scout team players do in advance. During practice itself, a diagram of the opponent’s play is held up in the huddle for everyone to look at and process their roles.

I’m curious how A) the progress of Romeo Doubs and his concussion he had. That looked like a wicked hit he took to the ground. And B) if things between Doubs and the team have smoothed over since his suspension?

A) Doubs didn’t get into the specifics of his recovery from the multiple concussions but said it was a “long process,” and he seems to be doing well. B) Yes. That point was reached last season, as far as I could tell.