The Packers have an ace up their sleeve with Tucker Kraft, too

Wes Hodkiewicz

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, I have seen one pundit predict a 9-8 finish for the Packers. That has served to reinforce for me: how tough the schedule looks based on what we know right now; and we really have no idea how this will play out. The Packers are 0-0, looking to go 1-0 on Sept. 7. Let the conjecture continue! What is the main thing between now and OTAs?

Avoiding headaches? Oh wait strike thatthe owners voted on the tush push at the NFL spring meetings. Sowhat do you wanna talk about?

Jon from Soldiers Grove, WI

What's the appropriate response to the tush push not being banned? Run it successfully? Push the Eagles tush into next week? Or reimplementing the flying wedge?

It's legal, at least for another seasonso you try to do it better than anybody else. The funniest part of this whole ordeal is I never cared about the tush-push until the NFC title game and then the backlash to the Packers' proposal. That's when I turned from ambivalence to being in favor of the ban. The tush-push remains in play for 2025, but 22 votes in favor of banning the play tells me one thing: Winter is coming.

Richard from Madison, WI

Now that the NFL has decided that it's OK for large people to push the quarterback forward in short-yardage situations, do you suppose there'll be job openings for otherwise unqualified 400-pound linemen?

I do think we're going to see a lot more teams trying it next season. Again, the rulebook allows it. You'd be foolish not to. The Packers have an ace up their sleeve withTucker Kraft. I'm sure Matt LaFleur and Co. will continue to explore their own variations, including Kraft's utilization. At the end of the day, 10 teams are getting what they asked for. We'll see how it plays out.

Tom from Rochester, NY

Banning the tush push wouldn't affect the Eagles because Hurts would be hard to stop on a normal QB sneak with his leg strength anyways. Unfortunately, the teams are hung up on that. I can't see how pushing/pulling a runner anywhere on the field is a football play. How much more of an advantage do offenses need in this game?

The league let the toothpaste out of the tube with the 2005 rule change and only now is it starting to clean the sink. Again, props to the Eagles for taking advantage of it and executing the push at a high rate of efficiency.

Joe from Boise, ID

I, for one, am glad to see that the "Tush Push" was not banned.

Got it. I marked you down.

Grant from Green Bay, WI

So, we keep the tush push, which benefits the Bills and Eagles who, combined, ran it more than the rest of the league. What I found was odd was that while the Commanders, Cowboys, and Giants all smartly tried to ban it and hinder their division opponent, the Patriots, Jets, and Dolphins all voted to keep it. Any guesses as to why the NFC East voted against their own interests? It's not like Josh Allen is going anywhere anytime soon.

Not a clue, but Allen has rushed for 1,576 yards and 18 touchdowns on 274 carries (5.8 yards per attempt) against those three teams since he entered the league. Perhaps short-yardage situations are the least of the AFC East's concern in regards to how to defend the NFL MVP.

Kyle from St. Charles, MO

Is anyone else already tired of the "crybaby" moniker being bestowed upon the Packers with regard to the tush push? Pundits and fans latching on to some false narrative that, "Well, we can't stop it so let's get rid of it" is so frustrating and lazy. For the record, I never had an issue with the play until the mockery against Washington. That was embarrassing. I'm not surprised the play remains, but somewhat annoyed the organization will be hearing it all season.

I could not possibly care less. If anything, I think all the insults are a subtle admission of how vulnerable Eagles fans feel about the future of the play. Yes, the Packers proposed it, but two-thirds of the league voted in support of the ban. Againtick tock. Moving on

Grant from Altoona, WI

What's going on with a wideout being No. 22? Just doesn't look right.

There's actuallyheartwarming reason behind it. But however you feel about it, you better get used to NFL players wearing unorthodox numbers. The league opened that door to players now and plenty are walking right through.

Caleb from Leadville, CO

With rookie WRs showing rapid acclimation to NFL, what would be realistic expectations of GB's rookies?

Everyone wants rookie wideouts to perform like Justin Jefferson, Malik Nabers or Brian Thomas Jr. on Day 1. But realistically, it's more about whatMatthew GoldenandSavion Williamsdo when given opportunities. It's watching them with your eyes and not just looking at a stat sheet. Because to me, there's only one question worth asking when it comes to rookies: "Is this guy getting better?" through the course of the year. That's how Davante Adams first caught my eye in 2014 despite the fact he only finished with 446 receiving yards and three TDs. Adams excelled as a complementary third option during Jordy Nelson's and Randall Cobb's career seasons.

Austin from Stevens Point, WI

What type of impact are we expecting Matthew Golden to make right away to our offense?

Again, maybe Golden makes a significant impact right off the bat, but that shouldn't be the expectation. He's a true junior making a quantum leap to the NFL and the Packers are deep enough at receiver that it doesn't have to be all on Golden. So, I see him as a vertical deep threat out of the gate like Marquez Valdes-Scantling in 2018 andChristian Watsonin 2022.

Al from Green Bay, WI

We've been told that the pro game is just "different" than the college game. At what point do the rookies experience this reality? OTAs? Training camp? Preseason? Regular season? Other?

Definitely when the pads go on during training camp. Physicality obviously ramps up in the trenches but pads also slow skill-position players down.

Steve from Toronto, Canada

I was a big fan ofLuke Musgravecoming out of Oregon State in '23; his combination of size and speed could be a tremendous asset to any offense. While his sophomore season was derailed by injury, we saw his fellow draftmate Tucker Kraft carve out an even larger role for himself in the offense. Considering Kraft's emergence and the WR room looking even more crowded than last year, is there still enough room for Musgrave to have a significant role? His skillset is just too valuable to shelve.

Absolutely. The Packers have left the tight end room unchanged from how they finished the season. They wouldn't have done that if they didn't think Musgrave could bounce back and serve as a perfect complement to Kraft.

John from Stevens Point, WI

I don't understand why fans are getting so wound up over this year's schedule. Sometimes it works in your team's favor, sometimes not. Regardless, an NFL season is always a challenge. Just another challenge to overcome, right?

On Wednesday, I was in Milwaukee for a speaker series event with Wayne Larrivee, Drew Olson and Billy Schmid on behalf of our sales and business development team. During that discussion, it came up how the Eagles actually had a Week 5 bye last season. After starting 2-2, Philadelphia won 10 straight following the early break. Again, opportunities are whatever you make them.

Scott from La Crosse, WI

I know a lot of people are angry about the early bye, but my rose-colored glasses have a different opinion. I think the mini-bye after Week 2 allows the coaches extra time to reassess their game plans after seeing the young guys play a few weeks. Then the early bye allows the players to refocus and to install any new concepts the coaches think they can handle after the first third of the season. Then the mini-bye allows a reset for the last third of the season. Hopefully, there's a Week 19 bye, also.

At the end of the day, the schedule will be whatever the Packers make it. If the Packers pick off Detroit in Week 1 and head into the bye undefeated or sitting at 3-1, they're probably feeling pretty good about themselves. It's such a long season, though, and going 13 in a row entering the playoffs is a tough stretch.

H.R. from Henderson, NV

The league Wednesday voted 32-0 to allow one player from each team, as well as one internationally designated player from each team, to play in the 2028 Summer Olympics. This is an amazing thing, and I cannot wait to see this happen. However, how do you think this will impact training camp, the preseason, and the regular season? Imagine the Packers are the defending SB champs, andJordan Lovedecides he wants gold. Or Patrick Mahomes. Or Jalen Hurts. What then?

Time will tell. I wonder if it's more likely retired players or those nearing retirement (think Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez in the World Baseball Classic) will be the ones participating. It'll be interesting to see who's the first active player to take the leap, though. It needs to be someone who's comfortable enough with their place on a roster and willing to risk the potential of a non-contact injury.

Wayne from Stevens Point, WI

As an old man who vaguely remembers pre-2005 NFL games, the new proposal by the Packers about assisting the ball carrier scratches my itch. To quote my wife about the tush push, "It is not a football move." She is so clever, to use the pass definition against the current game. Is there any question why I love her?

Mrs. Wayne knows ball.

TK from Grafton, WI

What would be the football equivalent of a batting slump in baseball?

Receiver dropping passes.

Matt from Fort Worth, TX

Did you watch any of the other schedule release videos? Outside of the Pack, which were your favorite or worth checking out?

I may be dating myself, but the N64 player in me enjoyed the Falcons' "Mario Kart" reveal.

Adilson from Rotterdam, Netherlands

No longer having the videos available from the assistant coaches' press conferences because of the strain it causes on the Packers' video and technical departments is unfortunate, but understandable. However, do the same limitations apply on livestreaming those sessions on the team social media channels? If doable, there could be a lot of interest, and it could drive traffic. Love the work you guys do to benefit us cheeseheads.

Video is video, Adilson. It doesn't matter if it's on our website or social. Also, as I've often stated, not every interview the reporters conduct needs a video component. For years, assistant interviews happened in the hallway outside the locker room with no team cameras present.

Tom from West Salem, WI

Wes, I have taken my son for a few days every year to training camp since he was 5 years old. He has enjoyed getting autographs and seeing the players so close-up. These are memories he and I will have for the rest of our lives. I know your work schedule is so busy during this time and in-season, but I hope you'll be able to get your son some up-close experiences with the players. Interest in "Paw Patrol" will eventually fade away so a love for the Packers will be a good substitute?

I'm not sure football will be his thing, but I've had a blast bonding with him over Formula One over the past year. I'm with you, though, you gotta make time to make memories. Some of my favorite memories from Packers training camp have been his coming down to practice every now and then.

Mark from Minneapolis, MN

Wes, belated congrats on theBarryn Sorrellstory! Hopefully it feels rewarding to hear how well it was received, and what a great change of pace it was for fans in addition to all the great packers.com content. Coordinating your support at 1265 while gathering information from Barryn's family/educators on such ameaningful journey was no small task. While watching Barryn's Longhorn highlights I couldn't help but notice his closing speed at his size. The 5 sacks will show up in the NFL!

You spoke to my soul with that submission, Mark. I really appreciate you not only reading but also acknowledging the legwork that goes into those stories. I wear a lot of hats here and am grateful for any opportunities I'm given to collect a paycheck, but I am happiest when given time to write features like Barryn's. I'm grateful to have coworkers who support me in those endeavors.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

I don't think there should be no math in the Inbox guys. I just think some of us (including me) are partaking in a few cocktails while reading and submitting and that is when it goes sideways. We should consider a blood alcohol limit in order to submit.

Sometimes I wish I could partake in a few cocktails while writing Inbox.

Joey from Chicago, IL

Wes, you're a good man, person. You gave thanks to your co-workers. I'm sure Lauren, Nicole, Carson, and Mike appreciate your comments. Thanks to the crew for taking care of our Packers needs. You brought sunshine to a rainy day. It's coming. I can feel it. We will be getting info about the new Packers and how they look on the turf. Are you guys ready for us?

I amas soon as I find the Tylenol.

HAVE A QUESTION?

ASK A QUESTION