Reading the tea leaves

Mike Spofford

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

A 2026 two-round mock draft. My Lord, we don't even know who picks where yet. Who is goofier, the guy that posted that article, or me for clicking on it?

That's a rhetorical question, right?

Markus from Aurora, CO

Insiders, this is certainly not a popular opinion (especially at NFL HQs), but could we cut the leaking stuff and just release the NFL schedule at once and be done with it? Official release on Wednesday, but some primetime games already being leaked or announced starting Monday? I wasn't thrilled when the draft went from two days to three days, but this with the schedule is just silly. Just to create clickable moments.

At least they're factual clicks. But yeah, I'm kinda with you and was mentally cueing up Timmy's chip-dip rant on "Seinfeld" as I read the start of your post.

Scott from Mt. Horeb, WI

Guys, with the road game in Chicago announced, it sure feels like a "Winter Warning" is coming to Lambeau on Christmas Day!

Reading the tea leaves, Washington at Green Bay on Christmas sure seems like a distinct possibility.

George from North Mankato, MN

How many primetime games do you think the Packers will get this season? Any particular matchups you think are "must watch" TV?

The Packers' home schedule alone features five 2024 playoff teams, a sixth that was above .500 and just missed (Bengals), plus opposing QBs who were back-to-back No. 1 overall picks (Bears, Panthers). That's plenty of compelling theater just at Lambeau.

Patrick from Murfreesboro, TN

NFL opens the season with the Cowboys?! Are we supposed to be tantalized by their decades of futility? Or perhaps they think we're inspired by the arrival of the Brian Schottenheimer era? Oh, maybe it's the excitement of a division rivalry...that last year outscored Dallas by a combined 75-13 points. Hmm, somehow I'm not too captivated by that schedule teaser. Is it just another day or two until the full schedule release?

We'll know it all tonight, but the choice of the Cowboys for the kickoff opener in Philly is no surprise. Dallas is a huge ratings draw nationally, new coach or not, successful era or not.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

I know we've seen teams play two international games in a row where they stay overseas (Jaguars), but I believe it's been in the same location. ATMR (WCBW) the Vikings playing twice, but needing to travel between, is a first. Is this the league testing impact for future expansion scenarios? Here's hoping their record reflects it as a disadvantage. KOC has got to have that stretch circled.

I do believe it's a first, and yes, I also believe the league is experimenting a bit here.

Tom from Woodbury, MN

With regard to another HOF QB, if Trent Green does not get hurt, how does Kurt Warner's career path change?

Another good one.

Rich from Grand Rapids, MI

Television talking heads Tuesday morning discussed the idea of a draft lottery for the NFL to discourage tanking. What are your thoughts on that idea? Think of the added coverage in the offseason, especially if teams could trade ping pong balls for players (team gives up player X in exchange for a greater number of ping pong balls in the lottery drum). ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!

I hope the NFL never goes down that path, and I don't think it needs to. There's no real evidence of any team tanking for the top draft pick, and one player isn't going to turn around a franchise's fortunes. Not in football. It's very different in basketball, with rosters around one-fourth the size.

Zak from Huntington Beach, CA

Do you think in-game communication methods will change/evolve? With augmented reality technologies and "heads-up" displays, I can easily envision players having that tech implemented into their helmets' visor. Imagine if, instead of a coach radioing a play to solely the QB, each player received their own position-specific info. For example, a wideout would see their route, linemen would see their initial blocking assignments, etc.

That's another road I'd rather the league not travel. Players who are better prepared should have an advantage.

Dennis from De Pere, WI

In thekey comments from Green Bay's coordinators articleregarding incoming rookies, D-coordinator Hafley said "So we've got to get creative and figure out what he can do, what he can do well, and how much (he can) handle in his first year." O-coordinator Stenavich says, "We can put them in different places, see where they excel, and move them along from there." Are those different philosophies where the defense is more malleable to the players and the offense more focused on the scheme?

Not at all. That sounded like two different ways of saying similar things to me.

Damien from Perth, Australia

Jayden Reedhaving to be reassured of his position, reportedly, didn't sit right with me. Do players not want competition? A hunger to prove themselves year on year? Maybe I'm looking at this all wrong.

We don't know the specifics of the report about Reed, assuming it's accurate, only that his agents and GM Brian Gutekunst talked. Did Gutekunst reach out proactively after drafting two receivers to fend off any possible questions? Did Reed's reps place a call their client didn't even know about, just to get the lay of the land? I'm not jumping to any conclusions about how Reed feels right now.

Richard from Madison, WI

Your Tuesday column featured a mention of Marcedes Lewis of fond memory. I lost track. Did he ever achieve his dream of being the longest-playing tight end in NFL history? Or could it possibly be that he's still further extending that record?

Lewis is currently unsigned. He's played the most games of any tight end in NFL history, and his 17 seasons are tied for the most with Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten.

Joe from Swansea, IL

PoorSean Rhyan. Can we start a GoFundMe on his behalf?

I'm sure Sean will be fine. But missing out on a CBA bonus by two snaps is a really tough break.

Jeff from Mequon, WI

A video recently surfaced ofJosh Jacobson a podcast (I am not privy to the name of the podcast) but they had asked him, "How do we get you to the Dolphins?" In his response, he said, "I'm good where I'm at. I'm trying to retire with them." Just in case you needed another reason to like No. 8. Great football player, great human being, loyal Packer.

Jacobs not only loves the Packers culture, he contributes to it.

Lyn from Oshkosh, WI

I was curious if you know how the new players and rookies find places to live? Some know they are staying while all the rookies do not know their fates through spring and into the season. Since they used to stay in that school dorm for camp I wonder where they live now days? I mean every season there is a new influx of people that need to find living quarters, I wonder if there is a place that caters to that need.

There are resources within the building to help new players find housing. Those who are fighting for roster spots usually stay at a local hotel until it's appropriate to move.

Mark from Rochester, MN

With Taylor Elgersma signing, it got me wondering, who was the last Canadian to play in a game for the Packers?

Punter Jon Ryan (2006-07) was from Regina, Saskatchewan. Linebacker Andy Mulumba (2013-15) was originally from the Congo and went to high school in Montreal.

Craig from Appleton, WI

What did Coach Bisaccia mean when he said the NFL was going to give them three float players on special teams?

He was referring to the kickoff return unit, for which all but the two returners were required to line up in the "set-up zone" directly across from the opponents on the kickoff team, and nobody could move until the ball hit the ground or was touched by a returner. It sounds like the receiving team will now be allowed to have three of those players line up elsewhere and/or move while the ball is in the air.

Michael from Kenosha, WI

I see much ado from Packers fans about Detroit taking a big step back after losing both coordinators. Do you recall a situation where an extremely talented team fell off after losing a coordinator? Are Packers fans looking at it through green-and-gold colored glasses or is there a legitimate concern for the Lions?

Two years ago, the Eagles were coming off a Super Bowl appearance, lost both coordinators (Steichen to the Colts, Gannon to the Cardinals), collapsed at the end of the '23 season and were one-and-done in the playoffs. Then they won the Super Bowl the following year. So who knows?

Scotty from Palmetto, FL

I think the most important offseason item to get done for our offense is to improve Love's footwork, thereby increasing his accuracy... how about you?

I think as long as Love's got two healthy legs under him his fundamentals will be just fine.

Tom from Nolanville, TX

I was a bit surprised by the comments made by Matt from Greensboro, NC. Matt, one of the many unique things about the Packers is the ironclad ownership agreement established in the bylaws of the franchise. In 1949, Curly Lambeau attempted to acquire the team to move to LA. He was unceremoniously shown the way out. Some things are not for sale, like corporate naming rights on Lambeau Field. As an owner of the Packers, I am glad my Packers won't be prostituted to the highest bidder.

The part Wes didn't mention in answering Matt is the other owners in the league have probably carried some level of jealousy that once a decade or so the Packers can sell stock in the team and raise tens of millions for stadium improvements. Now that other owners can sell private equity stakes, they've got their own avenues for cash infusions.

Grant from Green Bay, WI

Just to react to Josh from Seattle's comment Monday, the Packers' ability to stay successful is truly incredible. The talk is always about how we went from Favre to Rodgers to Love while always being in the playoff hunt, but same with coaches over that time (except possibly for Ray Rhodes, you got Holmgren, Sherman, McCarthy, and LaFleur), GMs (Wolf, Thompson, and Gutekunst) and presidents (Harlan and Murphy). Get any of those wrong once, the cycle stops, and good luck getting it going again.

And when Rhodes wasn't the right guy at the right time, Wolf was keen and bold enough to move on after one year.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

What are the biggest areas of improvement the Packers need to achieve in order to make a deep run in the playoffs this season?

They need to be healthy and playing their best football when it matters most. When you're already a contender, that answer never changes.

Robert from Atlantic Highlands, NJ

Hi Mike and Wes, love your chemistry on "Packers Unscripted." Who do you compare to: Kramden-Norton? Seinfeld-Costanza? Mutt and Jeff? Laurel and Hardy? Other?

Bert and Ernie?

Tom from Iron River, WI

What are you doing with your non-football life this offseason?

Just trying to keep my (stuff) together, honestly.

Al from Tulsa, OK

Wes, in your answer to Derek from Lexington, KY, you mentioned seismic shifts around the Great Lakes. Actually, what occurs on the Great Lakes are seiches, often erroneously called tidal waves. On June 26, 1954, an 8-to-10-foot wave tragically took the lives of eight people in Chicago. It was said then to have been a seiche but more recently has been referred to by scientists as a meteotsunami. As a 9-year-old growing up in Sheboygan near the shore of Lake Michigan, that got my attention.

And that, is the rest of the story. Happy Wednesday.

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