Happy New Year everybody! Thanks for logging on today. I see questions already coming in so I’ll get started.

I’m assuming when we get 7 back and both he and 56 are on the field at the same time – might that help against extra protectors leaking out or at least minimize those gains?

We’ll see. Every game plan is different, and it’ll be interesting to see how those two play alongside one another, if indeed Quay Walker is able to return to full strength. The possibilities are intriguing, though, to have that much athleticism in the middle of the field.

Godspeed in 2025, Mr. Spofford. Is it fair to assume the Bears are playing for their future contracts? If that’s the case, will their franchise players have anything to motivate them to play hard?

Guys can lose their jobs in this business at any time. They know that. With a new coach coming to Chicago in 2025, all those players know roster changes could be coming with it. They’ll want to put good work on film for others to evaluate.

What defense changes will be needed to stop Chicago from running the ball?

The Packers’ run defense has been the strength of the unit for several games now. The last game the run defense really broke down was the first Chicago game, when Swift ran that 40-yard TD. Since then, the Packers have been strong against the run and that needs to continue.

How concerned are you with Josh Jacobs fumbles, the fumble seem to stop a possible td drive that would changed the outcome of the game

Two fumbles in a three-game span catches everyone’s eye, but before the Seattle game Jacobs hadn’t fumbled since Week 2. I don’t think he has a chronic problem or anything. He knows what he needs to do.

Mike we need to get some of our injured players back before playoffs.

That would be nice. Fingers crossed it happens.

HNY Spoff… ML is big into “every game is a big game” but let’s be honest, the Bears players hate us way more than we hate the Bears at this point. What angle might ML be taking this week to get our guys amp’d to match the Bears energy?

That’s a good question. I’m not really sure. I think you play off the “last game at Lambeau this season” maybe to get the players geared up. And you emphasize how close the Bears came to beating them last time.

Hi Mike, do you think the Packers will put Malik Willis in for more playing time against the Bears?

I don’t know. Ideally, the Packers will play well enough and build the kind of lead that would allow for pulling out guys to rest up and protect them. But no guarantee that happens and I can’t speak for LaFleur.

Mike, didn’t Lafleur make a comment about Jaire Alexander‘s knee swelling up. Made me think how similar it seems to Bakh’s situation.

He did make a comment about swelling. Totally different injuries, just same body part. I don’t know any specifics beyond what the head coach has told us. We’ll see how Alexander’s practice week goes this week I guess. (Update: After Wednesday’s practice, LaFleur announced Alexander’s season was over due to needed surgery on his injured knee.)

Greetings from Europe! Do you think the Packers opted against an on-side kick at the end to avoid putting anything on tape ?

No, I think they opted against it because they had all 3 timeouts and there’s a massive shift in field position with a failed onside kick. I thought they played it right. They got the Vikes in third-and-3, at a spot on the field they wouldn’t go for it on fourth down, and they didn’t get the stop.

How surprised would you be to see #9 out there this week?

If Christian Watson‘s healthy enough, a few reps wouldn’t shock me. But if there’s any question, I would imagine he sits. I would not expect a full workload of snaps in any case.

Mike, do you have any idea why there seems to be so much angst among fans over this year’s team? The team will be in the playoffs and will at worst have 11 wins during the season. And, the 5 losses have been by a combined 22 points! I just don’t get it.

Expectations. Last year’s team made a strong playoff run. Came up one possession short in SF. The perception is this year’s team should’ve been able to build on that, but that’s not reality, and this year’s team hasn’t hit that peak people were expecting to see. They still might, but to perform like it did in Week 17 was disheartening to many.

Any reason to believe that the team will come out flat against the Bears?

I would hope not. The Packers have suffered from slow starts against the teams that have beaten them, those squads with better records. It hasn’t been an issue in many other games. They’ve had their share of fast starts this year.