Correctamundo?! Wow an Arthur Fonzarelli reference. II never ceases to amaze me.
Hasenpfeffer Incorporated. I’ve always wanted to announce my presence with that line. I’ll abbreviate: HI. I’ll see myself out in a bit.
So, we’re dying to know, how did Hod leave the II-digs when you got back? Empty root beer bottles and Culver’s wrappers all around…or as neat as a pin?
He didn’t mess with my desk, as far as I could tell, which is all I really cared about.
Welcome back Mike, hope you enjoyed your time to disconnect. I stumbled across an article that said you graduated with a dual major in English and Spanish. ¿Todavía hablas español? Have you ever considered putting that degree to work by publishing a Packers article in Spanish? Have you done any traveling in Latin America? Mi casa es su casa!
I studied a semester in Seville during college, but I’ve never been to Latin America. Unfortunately, I have not used my Spanish in about 30 years. It was never the plan to add a second major, it just sorta happened. Anyway, I can still understand a good portion of the language when I hear or read it, but my ability to speak or write it has dwindled considerably.
“The Platteville Prince” is one for the ages, Wes. Welcome back, Mike! Another thought on II milestones: asking a question that leads directly into a featured story for the day. I had asked last training camp about Nate Hobbs’ aggressive hits at practice, and there was a feature article on the topic the very same day that I was published. I thought that was pretty cool.
Your submission was a great excuse to promote my story. Ha.
I see the league approved the Jaguars to play their home games in Orlando for the 2027 season, due to stadium renovations in Jacksonville. Any chance, with the schedule rotation, that the Packers may play one of those games? I would love to see the Packers in my 11th stadium, about 90 minutes from my house!
The Packers aren’t scheduled to play any AFC South teams in ’27, and Jacksonville is slated to visit Green Bay in ’28.
I’m glad the naming rights topic has been put to rest in the time being, but wouldn’t it seem like we won’t have the same needs for the revenue? We have a natural offset by not having a wealthy owner taking cash out or paying family members’ salaries?
That’s the one advantage the Packers have in this race for cash resources. That said, this new era of private equity stakes places an even greater importance on maintaining and growing Green Bay’s corporate reserve fund, which sat just a shade under $600M when I posted the most recent financial report last July.
Jennifer from Middleton, WI
Welcome back, Spoff! Hey, from the “5 things learned from Ed Policy” article, wondering if you know which subcommittee Matt is on? Competition committee? If so, I wonder what he might have to say about the league no longer considering a Friday game a “short week.” That only seems like fair competition if everyone gets the same number (unlikely) and that change seems sneaky impactful.
LaFleur is on the head coach subcommittee, which is not the competition committee but provides, I believe, some input there. No longer considering Friday games a “short week” within the scheduling limitations makes zero sense to me, outside of the league just wanting less to worry about in putting the schedule together.
Keith from Grand Rapids, MI
“Still, the biggest carrot remains in the garden.” Nice.
Whale of a line by Weston.
The renewed emphasis on finishing games will require the three phases of the team, offense, defense and special teams to do their job. Do we need to be deep into next season to know if the offseason changes are successful?
It’ll be about the collective body of work, as it always is. If the Packers finish off a team in Week 1, it won’t mean they’re never blowing a fourth-quarter lead again. If the opponent rallies late to steal a game in Week 2, it won’t mean the 2025 season is on repeat. Even if the media narratives focus there and then when a small sample size is all that’s available.
Darren from Wakefield, MI
Welcome back Mike. My question is about tight end. I always love when the Packers have a special one on the roster likely back to the Coffman years. Tucker Kraft‘s return date is unknown, Luke Musgrave will likely need to be the guy. Who on the long list behind them do you see as possibly developing in to the next man up or is he possibly not currently on the team?
As Wes mentioned while I was away, at 6-7, 259, Messiah Swinson remains an intriguing but as-yet unknown prospect who might really benefit from a full NFL offseason. But I’m also very curious to see what the Packers do in this upcoming draft at tight end. If the right guy is there at the right value slot, I don’t expect Gutey to hesitate.