Its on everyone with a passcode to the building to figure it out

Wes Hodkiewicz

Jim from Prairie du Chien, WI

Mourning all, that's all that's left in me. GPG.

I understand, Jim. I feel like we're gonna be talking through this ending for a while, but bruises heal in time. They're just sore right now.

Jeffery from Monticello, WI

Hello II, I raise my glass to Ed Policy for seeing through the naysayers and getting one of the best head coaches extended. Matt LaFleur can only do so much, but it falls to the players to make it happen. I hope they implement a better stamina program this coming spring to give them a chance to compete for 60 minutes, not 30! What else do you hope they change?

I've thought a lot about this since Saturday night. While LaFleur's future will be sorted out here soon, I feltMicah ParsonsandTucker Kraftarticulated the case for LaFleur quite well during final locker room on Monday. Both talked about Matt LaFleur, the man and the coach, and how his leadership guided a talented but young football team through perhaps more adversity than any other NFL club faced this season. In terms of Xs and Os, removing LaFleur would not only throw a hitch into a perennially explosive offense but also complicate things for a prohibitive Super Bowl favorite entering 2026. Lastly, it's easy to fire people. Look no further than how many coaches Chicago has had over the past 30 years. You could get better, but you also can get worse. I won't argue with you that changes are needed this offseason, and some will be made in the weeks and months ahead. But championships are won with strong leadership, unyielding principles and a vision for the future. Those pillars are in place here and LaFleur has been a big part of that.

Tim from Cherry Hill, N.J.

I see a lot of feedback about the coaching. It looked to me like we came into the Bears game incredibly prepared and with an excellent plan, which we used to great early success. Then, at halftime, it looks like we failed to properly diagnose that success. Say all the good things about the Bears' grit and their halftime adjustments and whatever else, but, looking back at the year, do you see a pattern in having more difficulty diagnosing what works than in correcting what doesn't work?

That's what I'm saying. If LaFleur leads the Packers out of the Lambeau home tunnel in 2026, he must answer this question for his football team: How do the Packers play a full, 60-minute game without the extended lulls, and fits and starts? That's on him, the coaches and the players. It's on everyone with a passcode to the building to figure it out.

Glen from Leesburg, VA

If I was on the Packers' roster today, I'd be marking my calendar to the start of next season. To me the offseason is going to be filled with promise, not regret. Having regret is a wasted emotion. This team is going to be in the right place at the start of training camp, and I truly think the hunger is going to be something MLF is going to preach all offseason and beyond. Something tells me this offense is going to put up some points next season and it's going to be fun to watch!

That's the other thing I took away from Kraft's comments on Monday. Injuries are part of sports and not an excuse, but car windows can only take so many dings before cracks start to show. Or in Kraft's word, "We had so many weapons dialed up, loaded up. We lost them."

Mike from Tama, IA

Now that the season is over, the reflection begins. What went right, what went wrong and countless reasons for the early exit to the playoffs. Coaches being replaced is not the complete answer. In each of the "collapses" the game plan was working, so the coaches prepared as they should. Sometimes the players are the fault, be accountable for your play. This offseason, look in the mirror and ask yourself, "Did I do everything I needed to do?" Once a Packer, always a Packer!

And that was Parsons' message to teammates on Mondaywhen the Packers come back for spring workouts, you better be ready to swim in deep waters.

Jim from Des Peres, MO

It's really special teams. Recover the onside kick in the second Bear game and we almost surely win. Make the extra point Saturday and will likely at least go to overtime. Make the extra point and a 44-yard field goal and we probably win. I'm not going the mention "The Game that Shall Not be Mentioned" nor the blocked punt for a TD vs. SF in 2021. Tom Brady never had to endure any of that. Special teams, special teams, special teams...

You can isolate your index finger on one particular phase, but the truth is none of the three did enough for the Packers to win that game on Saturday night. The offense wasn't clicking, the defense wilted and Green Bay's special teams left points on the board while also allowing an explosive punt return.

Steve from Stillman Valley, IL

When you're ahead by 18 points and you get the ball in the second half, your main goal should be running time off the clock and getting first downs.

I agree. Running for positive yards, completing passes and moving the sticks probably would've helped that endeavor.

Jack from Chicago, IL

You mentioned a list of double-digit blown leads this year. Without oversimplifying it because there are clearly many problems with the 2025 Packers, that points to a weak four-minute offense. The offense was so boom or bust. This year it felt like between a short rhythm passing game and a consistent run game we were lost. I meanJosh Jacobsnever got 100 on the ground! Just the feeling of runs was grubby at best. It never felt like we had momentum just bursts.

In a less snarky response, I agree with you the Packers did not have the same four-minute offense they did last year. That's the air this offense breathes and perhaps the strongest part of last season's offensive identity. Green Bay had several strong starts running behind Jacobs but also sealed games on the ground during crunch time, too. They need to get back to that next season.

Joe from Fargo, ND

Jeff from Hagerstown, MD, said we have had more gut-punch playoff losses than any other team he knows. Clearly, he doesn't follow the Vikings. Having lived in Vikings territory my entire life, I can happily say I'm so glad I'm a Packers fan. Their nickname should be the Gut-punches!

Only one team leaves smiling at the end of the playoffs. The rest are faced with woulda, shoulda, coulda realities. These losses always hurt more because you care the most.

Phil from Madison, WI

Any news on how seriousEdgerrin Cooper's injury is?

That was one update that we didn't get on Monday, but Cooper walked through the locker room and appears to be OK in the relative sense.

Jeff from Littlefork, MN

Lucas Havrisikto a futures contract is the best news I've heard since halftime of Saturday's NFC Wild Card game. How about you?

Havrisik should be commended for the job he did while filling in forBrandon McManus. I'm excited the Packers will get an extended look at him this offseason.

Dean from Ottawa, IL

Do the GM and president have season-ending press conferences? If so, do you know when it is scheduled?

Brian Gutekunst will have a season-ending news conference here at some point. During Mark Murphy's tenure as team president and CEO, he typically didn't address reporters until the NFL Annual Meeting at the end of March.

Brandon from Kenosha, WI

People might hate me saying this, butJordan Loveis not a Super Bowl-caliber QB, nor is LaFleur a Super Bowl-caliber coach. MAYBE Love with a few more years' experience and the stars aligning. That scenario won't happen under ML I said what I said.

That's brave of you. Thank you for sharing.

Eric from Ankeny, IA

How is it that San Francisco, a team whose injury report is rivaled by few, can go into Philly and beat the Eagles despite two turnovers? I can't be the only one that noticed the 49ers' tight pass coverage down the stretch, particularly on the last play of the game. It was quite contradictory to the loose coverage the Packers always seem to have. HopefullyTrevon Diggsis just the start to reviving the cornerback room. Too many blown coverages, foolish penalties, dropped interceptions and missed tackles.

It's the playoffs and anything can happen. You tip your cap to Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers for the job they've done overcoming injuries to knock off the defending Super Bowl champs. At the same time, the 49ers also have weathered a pair of six-win seasons over the past six years. Count me curious how patient Packers fans would be handling such a stretch while chasing their first Super Bowl title since 1995.

Aaron from Tucson, AZ

Hi Wes! I have a question about how tackles and sacks are attributed to players. I noticedRashan Garyhad 7 sacks and seven tackles for loss, and Micah Parsons had 12 and 12. First, does tackling the QB qualify as a sack only if he is tackled behind the line of scrimmage (I suspect so)? Second, can tackles only be attributed to one player (no half sacks, which I also believe to be true, based upon my examples)? Otherwise, I can't figure how a player has X sacks but fewer TFL.

Tackles for loss aren't split like sacks. I believe it's awarded to the first player who contacts the quarterback.Lukas Van Nesswas credited with the tackle for loss on the sack he shared with Gary against Jared Goff in Week 1 vs. Detroit.

William from Dallas, TX

I had a certain level of respect for Ben Johnson with what he achieved in Detroit. Since he joined Chicago and opened his mouth in front of cameras and microphones...ZERO. Makes me appreciate the class of this GBP organization from top down, including Mike and Wes. Bar none. Thank you, men. Enjoy some time off.

Saturday's wild-card win was a watershed moment for the Bears and understandably so. I mean, it was the organization's first playoff victory in 15 years.

Max from Rockford, IL

Congrats to the Bears for winning the division and beating Green Bay. We need them to keep winning, being that they are in our division and that they represent our division.

Why? Is there a buy-one, get-one-half-off coupon at Lou Malnati's or something I need to know about?

Santijav from Staten Island, NY

Don't you think that for as long as LaFleur is with the Packers every game with Chicago will be about the playoff game and the bad blood between coaches? The games and the players will become secondary and a distraction.

I'm telling you folks. I've covered LaFleur for seven years. Winning is his only concern. That's where the Packers' focus lies, no different than the last 30 years. Because rhetoric doesn't make rivalries. Winning makes rivalries.

Christopher from Wyoming, MN

Say what you will about ML, like him or not, he's always been honest and a class act. I gave Ben Johnson a pass the first time around, with the shirt off in the locker room bit, since he's young and a new HC. But with his expletive-laden locker room speech about the Packers, that's too far. Completely classless and uncalled for. As for ML, I'd like to see what he could do with an OC that calls the plays, so he can focus on game management. Doing it all seems to be too much for him. Thoughts?

Again, I don't know what the next steps are, but LaFleur has stated he's open to giving up play-calling if that's what's in the best interest of the team. But the Packers hired LaFleur in 2019 for his offensive mind and ability to develop players. I feel he's lived up to the billing in those two categories, especially in the post-Aaron Rodgers era. We'll see what he does next.

Nick from Saint Paul, MN

Weston, longtime reader since the days of Ask Vic. In Monday's II I saw a lot of questions about the head coach, changes in the offseason, frustration, curses, etc. I'm very surprised not to see any questions about Trevon Diggs, who apparently only had one defensive snap in the wild-card game. With our DBs getting burned in the fourth quarter, why in the world was Diggs not a viable option?

That's a better question for Hafley, but it would've been a significant risk to roll the dice on Diggs overCarrington Valentine, who's started 30 games at cornerback the past three seasons. I still think claiming Diggs was the proper move because A) the lack of depth at perimeter CB after the injuries was an issue, and B) it gives Green Bay an inside track to possibly bringing him back next year.

Dylan from Amery, WI

Howdy gents, my condolences. With our coach coming from the Shanahan tree, do you know why LaFleur doesn't use a fullback/H-back or is it just filled by other positions? Kyle Juszczyk seems to be utilized a lot, and I've always liked the FB position. Wisconsinite/Hoosier Riley Nowakowski seems to be similar and is fun to watch. I wouldn't mind if Nowakowski and Charlie Becker ended up in GB.

I feel like the Packers missed having a fullback/H-back this year. Danny Vitale obviously wore that hat in 2019 and Josiah Deguara picked it up in 2020. I don't know if I'd invest a third-rounder in the position again, but it might not be a bad idea to revisit its utilization here.

Steve from Flagstaff, AZ

At what point do Wes and Mike make the II M-F only again? I'm tired of these monkey-fighting snakes on this Monday through Friday plane. LOL! Do yourselves a favor and watch the YouTube clip of that "Snakes on a Plane" scene. It's hysterical. And no, I am not making it up. Are we officially back to Monday through Friday now that the season is over?

Oh, I'm quite familiar. We'll switch to the five-day-a-week format in February. You still have three more Saturdays to chat us up.

Shannon from Ovilla, TX

Rodgers spent all these years with one of the best TD-to-interception ratios with very few pick-sixes. Ending his career on a pick-six doesn't seem right. Hopefully he makes a quick decision that he can be happy with.

I actually thought it was somewhat poetic considering how few pick-sixes he threw in his NFL career. Rodgers said he's not going to make an emotional decision, but I feel like he doesn't have anything else to prove at this point. He came back, put the New York situation behind him and catapulted Pittsburgh to the playoffs. I also appreciated him shouting out Green Bay as a great football city during his post-game news conference and voicing his support for both LaFleur and Mike Tomlin. I had my reservations, but I'm glad Rodgers played this year. This is how I wanted to remember him.

Rick from Flagstaff, AZ

It's crazy that as fans we do this to ourselves. We invest varying amounts of money, time spent reading articles, listening to podcasts, etc., and of course our emotions into the team throughout the season. All of this and we have zip, zilch, zero influence on the outcome. As frustrated as I am with the team, I'm more upset with myself for buying in time after time. With that said, I can't wait for pick No. 52 at the NFL Draft. Go Pack Go!

Ain't it great? I went down to watch the Brewers play the Cubs in the NLDS in October with my friend Tom. As much as I wanted the Brewers to win and would've been sad to see them lose, I never feared the outcome. That evening was about creating memories with one of my best friends. Because of our attendance, I was there when the Brewers banged three home runs to send the Cubs back down I-94. Sports are about those types of moments, the anticipation that builds in the days leading up to a game and that excitement you feel in your soul. I'll never stop chasing that high. Because that's all we get guys. There is an opponent lingering in the ether to whom we'll all succumb one day. Until he arrives, I'm gonna enjoy the absolute hell out of the blessings of today. I hope you do, too.

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