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Aaron Nagler

Co-founder Cheesehead TV. 1/2 of Motel Men. Lotta ballgame left.

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CheeseheadTV

Survey Results: Your Expectations for the 2026 Green Bay Packers! #Packers #GoPackGo

Survey Results: Your Expectations for the 2026 Green Bay Packers!The time is nearly here! Next week the Green Bay Packers report for the 2026 training camp, and so as always at this time of year, I've taken the liberty of polling the fan base for their opinions on the team heading into the fresh new season. The entire point of doing the survey this early is that we know nothing yet -- we're going almost entirely based on vibes and on what the team did with its draft and free agency. And the vibes to end last season were... not great. The fanbase fractured over whether to retain Matt LaFleur, and the team lost to the BEARS in the playoffs. Sorry for remininding you. So coming out of that disastrous end, are fans feeling optimistic or pessimistic? Do they see Super Bowl, or do they see bust? Let's take a look at the results of this year's survey. The first question is the biggest "vibes" question of them all, and this is one of the more pessimistic years of this poll. Typically we've got more in the eight and up range, but the Packer fanbase responding to the poll seems a bit hesitant this year to get too excited. The sevens win out, which means people still feel fairly positive, but it's not some of the unbridled enthusiasm we've seen in recent years where the team felt fresh and there was a whole world of possibility in front of them.  This question had answers all across the board. In order, the top answers were 11 wins, 10 wins, and 12 wins, in that order. Fourth place was 9 wins, and fifth place was 13 wins. A pretty even distribution here means people are rather split over what their expectations are, though it generally esems from these win totals that the vast majority of people expect the Packers to be a playoff team. This answer wasn't particularly close; the overwhelming majority of respondents see the Los Angeles Rams as being the toughest matchup for the Packers this season. I see the logic here and voted for the Rams myself, but it's worth noting that the Lafleur-era Packers have generally had pretty good luck against the Rams. I'll be fascinated to see if what the Rams do on the field this season lives up to the hype of what people have projected for them in the offseason. Can Matthew Stafford's body hold up another year? Will Aaron Donald coming back make that big of a dfiference? There is, of course, the blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett, which is certain to heat things up on that side of the ball. This is a team with "dream team" hype that now needs to live up to it on the field.  While an overwhelming majority of respondents see the Packers getting to the playoffs, about half see an exit in the first two rounds. A plurality at 31.7 percent see the Packers as dipping out in the second round. For the starry eyed optimists out there: 18.2 percent see a Super Bowl championship in the future. 21.2 percent see the Packers at least making a push to the NFC Championship before falling short. Not as many people in past years predict the Packers to win the division, but a healthy majority still believe the Packers will regain the division crown in 2026. They'll have to fend off foes in one of the NFL's toughest divisions to accomplish this feat. While the upstart Bears might be getting more of the national hype, it seems Packer fans are a little more worried about the Lions having a resurgence in 2026. The majority of respondents who did NOT believe the Packers would win the division said it would be the Lions instead. A negligible portion of respondents thought the Vikings had it in them to capture a division title. The Packers have lived by the offense for the better part of four decades, and fans don't expect that to change any time soon. Nearly two thirds of respondents believe the Packers will have an offense that ranks in the top 10 in the league, despite the potential issues with the running game if Josh Jacobs ends up being suspended in relation to the investigation into alleged domestic abuse in May. Jacobs has not been charged at this point and was released the day after his arrest. It looks like fans are not as positive about the defense's abilities as they were last year. A new coordinator and an injury that will keep the team's best defensive player out for the start of the year will do that. Two thirds of respondents expect the Packers to be in the middle of the pack in defense this year. But if the team can stay healthy and get Micah Parsons back at the right time at full strength, look out.   There was a lot of discussion coming out of the season last year about whether the Packers would/should retain Matt LaFleur as head coach. I was one who was vocally against the team bringing him back. But they did, and now the team is entering its eighth season with LaFleur at the helm. About two thirds of respondents believe LaFleur will be the clear answer for the Packers moving forward when this season is done; while that is a clear majority, it's also not exactly a full-throated endorsement, because a sizable portion of the fanbase responding believes there will be some question at the end of the season as to whether he truly is the guy. We'll have to see how 2026 plays out.   Now we move on to our free response questions: Which player will be the biggest (positive) surprise in 2026? The most common responses were as follows: 1. Matthew Golden 2. Marshawn Lloyd (I did have to laugh at the one who said "Marshawn Lynch..." do they know something we don't??) 3. Jordan Morgan 4. Lukas Van Ness 5. Brandon Cisse An interesting collection of players here. Three of them are former first round picks who have yet to live up to their draft stock (and yes, I'll give Golden a rookie pass here). All three need to quickly develop into real players if this team is going to be successful. One is this year's top pick, Cisse, who the team is counting on to be starter caliber immediately at a very thin cornerback position. One is a third-year running back who has played a total of three NFL games.  Personally, count me as a skeptic that Lloyd will ever actually remain healthy enough to see significant playing time. My vote was Golden, because I think he's capable of being a star pretty quickly. Van Ness and Morgan blossoming would be amazing because the team needs them badly; but again, I'm not holding my breath based on what we've seen from them so far.  Which player not named Jordan Love will be most vital to the team's success? Here are the most common responses for this one: 1. Micah Parsons 2. Zach Tom 3. Tucker Kraft 4. Jordan Morgan 5. Edgerrin Cooper This one surprised me a bit. While Parsons being at the top isn't a complete surprise, I figured the fact that he is going to be out for the first portion of the season might bump someone else up. Tom makes perfect sense as the Packers' best lineman, and Kraft coming back from injury as a lynchpin to this offense also makes a lot of sense. Morgan was a surprise, but the Packers definitely need him. Cooper is not a complete surprise here. But with very few mentions of Josh Jacobs and nowhere near as many as I expected for Christian Watson or Xavier McKinney, this list looked a bit different than what I'd have anticipated.  Big shoutout to the one person who said "Daniel Whelan," in all caps. We love our punters. What are you most looking forward to about this season? Here are a few responses from people who wanted their name included (either CHTV user name or Twitter/BSKY handle): -"Attending the Dolphins game on my birthday!" - SaucyJack -"Matthew Golden's growth" - Bullsa21 -"Making the Lambeau Leap the best celebration in the NFL again" - @benlindemulder -"Definitive Proof that this leadership is actually better than the outcomes to date. The talent is there, will the results be?  Will our OL and DL philosophies hold up to scrutiny and will the coaching as well? " - Coldworld -"Seeing Jordan Love continue to prove doubters wrong" - @cameron.s101 -"The 2026 rookie class" - Packers 4 7 -"Jonathan Gannon's defense without Micah" - mikekania82 -" /*-->*/ 1) More freedom given to J.Love. 2) Finish games better. 3) Stopping the opponents runnig between the tackles successfully." - Turophile -" /*-->*/ Sweeping the North" - mrtundra -" /*-->*/ To see if they can learn how to win games that are there for the taking" - Savage57 -" /*-->*/ Which way the season go's. For the first time in many seasons I don't know if this team will be really good, or bad enough to miss the playoffs." - Nick Perry -" /*-->*/ Rewriting the narratives, and seeing Jordan Love establish himself as a no-doubt top 10 quarterback." - cartersemb -" /*-->*/ Watching a should-be-win game get blown by a lethargic team with a questionable offensive game plan. *sigh* (it will happen at least once)" - @701Packer -" /*-->*/ Beating the Bears twice!" - @daveruns365 -" /*-->*/ The defensive getting better each week and a decent Offensive Line" - Todd Krebs -"Seeing it all come together!" - A_Lerxst_In_Packerland -"LaFleur fired" - White92 -To see what the running game will look like." - C.T.H. Hulbott -"To see if Micah Parsons can come back as strong as ever" - PackYLW -" /*-->*/ Offense, offense, and some more offense." - Hesoder -"Getting all the injured players back" - @kramer2.bsky.social -"Pookie slinging the pigskin" - @22dropbear.bsky.social -"Taking back the North" - @seanob.bsky.social -"Love playing like an MVP" - @mmulter -"Jordan Love finally getting the recognition he deserves as a top 5 NFL quarterback" - @kyle-heim04.bsky.social -"Christian Watson being healthy" - @zaccarman -"Watson, Reed, Golden, and Kraft playing together" - @grant_e_manley -"Beer" - Ivan -"It's the Packers." - @mayornaise.bsky.social -" /*-->*/ Friends, family and football" - @clark414.bsky.social -" /*-->*/ Jordan Love ascension into elite" - Kubs21 -" /*-->*/ Hopefully watching a fully healthy packer team" - Thomas_Wade97 -" /*-->*/ The new and exciting way Matt LaFleur will find to lose his final game as Green Bay's head coach in January." - @travis_mke.bsky.social -" /*-->*/ A full season of Christian Watson opening up the offense and getting everyone opportunities." - @r2dave2 -" /*-->*/ Revenge tour, particularly against Chicago. I think they'll be out for blood especially if Kraft and Parsons are back healthy for those games." - @BBeezy489 -" /*-->*/ Seeing what the 2024 class can do. Jordan Morgan has a lot on his shoulders, and the Cooper-Bullard-Williams trio can help drive defensive success." - JakeNFLDraft -" /*-->*/ Letting 10 air it out" - @kslice2 -Bitching on Bluesky" - @alextallitsch -" /*-->*/ More aggressive play-calling" - Margagliotti -" /*-->*/ Allowing Ben Johnson plenty of time to reflect on his behavior after humiliating the Bears twice." - LeotisHarris BONUS: What teams will be playing in the Super Bowl? The most common responses: AFC:  1. Bills 2. Texans 3. Broncos NFC: 1. Rams 2. Packers 3. 49ers   THANK YOU to everyone who participated in this year's survey! A huge GO PACK GO to one and all, and I can't wait for the year that lies ahead.  Filed Under: FeaturedTim Backes   PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE. __________________________ Tim Backes is a lifelong Packer fan and a contributor to CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter @timbackes for his Packer takes, random musings and Untappd beer check-ins. __________________________ Tags: Jordan Lovefan expectations survey2026 fan expectationsMatt LaFleurJordan MorganBrandon CisseMicah ParsonsChristian WatsonTucker KraftEdgerrin CooperSuper Bowl LXITraining Camp2026 training camp Like 0 pointsdlvr.it
⟳ Репост от Aaron Nagler
CheeseheadTV

Packers Defense Under Pressure in 2026 #Packers #GoPackGo

Packers Defense Under Pressure in 2026With yesterday’s extension to defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, the Green Bay Packers are putting much of their 2026 hopes in their defensive front. If the Packers are to win their first division championship since 2021 and get past the first weekend in the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2023, their defensive front will have a lot to say in accomplishing that goal. These are the five reasons why the Packers defensive front will be the biggest factor in determining the 2026 team’s success. 1. Draft Investment When the Packers traded Davante Adams in 2022, their reward was two extra picks in the first two rounds of the 2022 draft. With those two picks, plus their own two picks, they came away with Wyatt, linebacker Quay Walker and wide receiver Christian Watson. Both Wyatt and Watson have gotten extensions this offseason and Walker was let walk away in free agency. Wyatt joined several other first round picks to play on the defensive line. Since 2019 when Brian Gutekunst became general manager, he has highly invested the team on the defensive line. Wyatt was picked with the hopes of pairing with another former first round pick, Kenny Clark, to be a dominant duo on the inside. Rashan Gary (2019) and Lukas Van Ness (2023) were both drafted to be a pair of starting edge rushers. Gary was traded this offseason after an up-and-down 2025 and Van Ness is penciled in to start for the first time of his career. If Van Ness can stay healthy, he should be an every-down player both at defensive tackle (in passing situations) and on the outside as an edge rusher. 2. Micah Parsons Parsons stepped into the Packers defense a year ago and was immediately one of the best Packers to rush the passer in the last 30 years. Parsons is one of the league’s top edge rushers and one of the few true field tilting players at the position in the league. With 12.5 sacks, Parsons became the 6th Packers defender to obtain the feet since the 1990’s; joining Reggie White, Aaron Kampman, Clay Matthews, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and Za’Darius Smith. If he can be close to what he was in 2025 after coming back from his ACL injury, the Packers defense could be near the top of the league in rushing the passer. 3. Lack of playmaker’s at cornerback A strong defensive front will also hide the Packers biggest weakness on the team which is at the cornerback position. Last year’s starting outside corners Carrington Valentine and Keisan Nixon left much to be desired throughout the 2025 season. The Packers defense finished with just seven interceptions in the regular season, with Nixon recording the only interception by a cornerback. Valentine had his only interception of the season in the playoff loss to the Bears. In two seasons as a primary slot corner Javon Bullard has yet to register an interception. This season, the Packers have high hopes for their top pick Brandon Cisse, who was drafted at pick #52 and should immediately be in the conversation to start in place of either Valentine or Nixon. Free-agent acquisition Benjamin St.-Juste has two interceptions in his five-year career, playing for both the Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Chargers. 4. Jonathan Gannon’s defense When the Philadelphia Eagles made their run to the Super Bowl in 2022, a huge reason was Jonathan Gannon’s defensive unit. The 2022 Eagles are just one of four teams in NFL history to have 70 sacks in a season; the other three being 1984 Bears, 1989 Vikings and 1987 Bears. Their defense had four players have at least 11 sacks, one of which the Packers signed in the offseason. Javon Hargrave had his best season of his career with 11 sacks, but he’s entering his 11th season this year, so it is very unlikely he will come anywhere close to duplicating his success of 2022. However, maybe his pass-rush presence will help unlock Wyatt, Van Ness, Karl Brooks and rookie Chris McClellan as better interior rushers this upcoming season. A big key for that Eagles defense was also the play of edge rusher Haason Reddick. Reddick also had a career year, finishing with 16 sacks. He was used as both a standing up linebacker and two-point stance defensive end, which is likely where both Parsons and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper could be used. Cooper showed potential as a rookie in 2024, finishing with 3.5 sacks. 5. Recent Super Bowl winners Since 2020, the following teams have won Super Bowls: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks. And in every case, maybe except for the Chiefs, the other four teams were very strong at rushing the passer. The blueprint for going deep in the NFL playoffs has become making life difficult for the other team’s quarterback. The Bucs and 49ers both did that to Aaron Rodgers in playoff losses in 2020 and 2021. The Eagles defense stymied Patrick Mahomes in their Super Bowl blowout win and last year the Seahawks defense was one of the league’s best in the past decade. The Packers will be relying heavily on Parsons, Wyatt, Hargrave, Van Ness, Cooper and a slew of young draft picks to improve the team’s pass rush in 2026. Filed Under: FeaturedMitchell McLaughlin PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE. __________________________ Mitch McLaughlin is a Packers fan and shareholder residing in Sacramento, California. He will be writing Packers stories each week on Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter: @McLaughlinMitch __________________________   NFL Categories: Green Bay PackersTags: devonte wyatt extensionMicah ParsonsJonathan GannonGreen Bay Packers defense Like 0 pointsdlvr.it
⟳ Репост от Aaron Nagler
CheeseheadTV

3 Burning Questions For the Packers’ Special Teams #Packers #GoPackGo

3 Burning Questions For the Packers’ Special TeamsThe Packers are set to kick off training camp in just over a week, and like every offseason, some questions need answers. It's been a busy few months at 1265 Lombardi Avenue. Plenty of roster turnover, new faces stepping into new roles, key contract extensions, fresh coaching perspectives, and even an unresolved legal situation still lingering. That's a lot to keep an eye on this summer. Over the last two weeks, we've focused on both the offense and the defense. This week, the focus turns to the Packers' long-time Achilles heel — special teams. Many of the same concerns remain, but 2026 brings some new wrinkles: a new special teams coordinator, a rookie kicker, a potential return man, and real questions about how Gutekunst fills out the bottom of the roster. Poor special teams units have plagued the Packers for far too long — missed kicks, untimely botched onside recoveries, blocked punts, the list goes on. At this point, nobody's asking for an elite unit. They just need to be competent. The talent and potential for league-average special teams is there — it just always seems to unravel when the game is on the line. That's where these questions come in. Each one plays a real role in whether these units help or hurt the Packers in 2026. So let's get into it. Here are three burning questions before the Packers kick off the 2026 season. How Long of a Leash Do the Packers Give Trey Smack? Brian Gutekunst threw us a curveball back in April when he traded both of his seventh-round picks to move back into the sixth round and draft Trey Smack — a kicker. Smack was the consensus best kicker in the class, having gone 53-of-64 (82.8%) on field goals and 100-of-101 (99%) on extra points over his college career. The move came as a surprise. The Packers had given Brandon McManus a three-year, $15.3 million contract before the 2025 season, and despite an injury-riddled year, still paid him a $1 million roster bonus back in March. All signs pointed to McManus being the guy in 2026. Add in Lucas Havrisik — who'd already made a franchise-record 61-yard field goal — still sitting on the roster, and kicker wasn't exactly screaming out as a draft need. But drafting a kicker signals one thing: it's his job to lose. Not long after the draft, the Packers released McManus, clearing the runway for Smack to take the bulk of the reps and letting McManus explore other options. It's been Smack and Havrisik ever since. Now, heading into training camp, there's real uncertainty at the position — because Smack hasn't done much to instill confidence this offseason. In his first media-open session, he went 7-of-8, though those kicks only ranged from 26 to 35 yards. The following week brought a rougher outing: 5-of-9, with misses from 35, 38, 42, and 46 yards. He rebounded the week after, going 7-of-8 again, this time on a tougher slate ranging from 33 to 58 yards, with his only miss coming from 40. Up, down, up again — inconsistent is the kindest way to put it. And this fanbase doesn't have the patience for inconsistency at kicker anymore. The Packers have lost too many games in recent memory because of missed kicks, including that gut-punch playoff loss in January, when McManus missed two field goals and an extra point — seven points left on the board. Packers fans are still a little scarred from the Anders Carlson and Brayden Narveson eras, and understandably so. This team simply cannot keep losing games because it can't put points on the board that should be automatic. The hope is that Smack turns into the next Mason Crosby or Ryan Longwell — a reliable kicker who sticks around for a decade. But if the early inconsistency continues throughout training camp, the Packers will have to reconsider. Which brings us back to the real question: how long of a leash does Trey Smack actually get? The job is his to lose — he'd have to be genuinely bad in the preseason to not be the Week 1 kicker on September 13th — but "his to lose" and "earned" aren't the same thing, and he's still got work to do on the second part. A Former Packer Great Has Critical Advice For Rookie Kicker Trey Smack https://t.co/W8cxbYm8Vm #Packers #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/XafWAlzU0e — CheeseheadTV 🧀 (@cheeseheadtv) June 15, 2026 Will Brian Gutekunst Change How He Fills Out the Back of the Roster? Before the Packers brought in Rich Bisaccia in 2022, the organization preferred to fill out the back of its roster with developmental or backup offensive and defensive players. Under Bisaccia, that approach shifted toward stockpiling core special-teams players to shore up specific phases of the game — but the results didn't really follow. With a new special teams coordinator now in place, it's worth watching whether the Packers stick with that approach or pivot to something new. Bisaccia clearly prioritized certain units over others. He leaned heavily on strong kick and punt coverage, and Brian Gutekunst supplied him with core special-teamers over the years to build those units — Nick Niemann, Kristian Welch, Zayne Anderson, Bo Melton, Aaron Mosby, Eric Wilson, Corey Ballentine, Robert Rochell, Dallin Leavitt, and Chris Brooks, among others. Credit where credit is due: this approach worked for those two specific phases. The Packers finished 4th in net punt coverage and 11th in starting field position after kickoffs. Gutekunst dedicated real roster spots to core special-teamers, and the results showed up. The problem is that the coverage units were the only areas where that investment paid off. Notably absent from that priority list? The return game. The Packers haven't invested in or dedicated a roster spot to a true return specialist in years, and it shows. Over the last four seasons, they've ranked 15th, 29th, 23rd, and 32nd in average punt return. Last year, their answer was simply handing the job to their highest-snapped wide receiver, Romeo Doubs. Kickoff returns told a similar story. The Packers were once genuinely good in this phase, ranking 6th in 2022 and 5th in 2023 in return yards per game — largely because of Keisean Nixon, an All-Pro kick returner. Once the Packers pulled Nixon off return duty, the unit cratered, falling to 14th in 2024 and 22nd in 2025. The Packers had a proven return man on the roster and chose to hand the job to someone inexperienced instead. After several underwhelming seasons and Cam Achord now running the show, it's worth asking whether the Packers repeat that approach — but the early signs point toward change. Gutekunst never gave Bisaccia an actual return specialist. Just a month after Bisaccia stepped down, Gutekunst went out and signed the best available one. He also let Zayne Anderson, a core special-teams player, walk in free agency. Maybe that's nothing. Or maybe it's a sign the philosophy is shifting. Expect some real position battles this training camp because of it. Do the Packers keep a return specialist over a developmental receiver? (Spoiler: see question three.) Could Bo Melton end up the odd man out? Does Gutekunst keep Aaron Mosby, a core special-teamer, over Brenton Cox, an effective pass rusher who doesn't contribute on special teams? Could the Packers lean toward younger, developmental edge rushers over established linebackers like Niemann or Welch? It's a quieter storyline than most of the others on this list, but an interesting one to track as camp unfolds — with the hope that whichever direction the Packers go, the results actually follow. Brian Gutekunst said he leaned on new special teams coordinator Cam Achord for the Trey Smack draft pick. Said he leans on ST coordinator more than other coaches for draft input because specialists play unique positions. — Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) April 25, 2026 The Packers Finally Have a Return Man — Or Do They? The Packers were among the worst teams in the league at returning kicks and punts a season ago. As previously indicated, they finished dead last in punt return average (5.6 yards) and tied for 22nd in kickoff return average (25.2). That underwhelming performance had fans clamoring for Brian Gutekunst to sign a legitimate return man — and this offseason, with Rich Bisaccia no longer leading the ship, he finally did. Skyy Moore signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Packers, including a $1 million signing bonus and incentives that can push the total value as high as $4.75 million. Moore instantly became the best return man on the roster, for both kicks and punts. The Packers can pencil him in as their primary return specialist — but his name isn't written in Sharpie just yet. The $1 million guaranteed is a real number for a bottom-of-the-roster player — for context, the Packers guaranteed Mecole Hardman only $150,000 last summer. That guarantee puts Moore in a strong position to make the roster. That said, this front office has already shown it'll move on from a player after paying out $1 million, as it did with Brandon McManus. A million-dollar investment isn't a guaranteed roster spot. Here's where things get murky: Moore is a return specialist, but he's also a wide receiver, and that room is getting crowded. The Packers already have four receivers locked into roster spots — Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, and Savion Williams. Beyond that group, Bo Melton is shifting back to receiver, Isaiah Neyor has turned heads this offseason, and undrafted rookie J. Michael Sturdivant is an intriguing developmental piece. Given everything Melton brings on special teams, his ability to fill in on defense in a pinch, and how his coaches and teammates talk about him, it's hard to picture him not making the team — which would put the receiver count at five before Moore even enters the conversation. Neyor is making his own case, too. "I'd say it's night and day for him," Matt LaFleur said during OTAs. "He's really shown a lot of flashes of excellence. He's another big, long guy that can run. You can never have enough of those guys, especially at that position. I'm excited about what's to come from training camp for him." Using a word like "excellence" says a lot about how the coaching staff views him. There's also a size consideration working against Moore. LaFleur has generally favored bigger receivers, and Reed, Golden, Melton, and Moore are all under six feet and under 200 pounds. Neyor, by contrast, measures 6'4", 218 pounds, and Sturdivant checks in at 6'3", 207 — both offering intriguing size-speed combinations that Moore simply can't match. It would be a bit surprising if four of Matt LaFleur’s six wide receivers were undersized. So, back to the original question: do the Packers actually have their return man? Probably — Moore is the best returner this roster has had in years. But the Packers will likely carry six receivers, and there's no guarantee Moore is the sixth. If the numbers break the wrong way, the Packers could find themselves right back where they started: searching for answers in the return game. Filed Under: Packers NewsNFL DraftFeaturedGreen Bay PackersCarter Semb PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE. __________________________ Carter Semb is a lifelong Packer fan, shareholder, and season ticket holder. He is a contributor for Cheesehead TV and Packers Talk. For commentary surrounding Wisconsin sports, he can be found on X at @cmsemb. __________________________ NFL Categories: Green Bay PackersTags: Trey SmackLucas HavrisikCam AchordBrian GutekunstSkyy Moore Like 0 pointsdlvr.it
⟳ Репост от Aaron Nagler
CheeseheadTV

Packers Sign Devonte Wyatt to Three-Year Extension #Packers #GoPackGo

Packers Sign Devonte Wyatt to Three-Year ExtensionThe Green Bay Packers have secured another key piece of their core roster, agreeing to a three-year, $57 million contract extension with defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt. The deal includes a hefty $20 million signing bonus and keeps one of the defense's most disruptive interior players in Green Bay for the foreseeable future. Wyatt has flashed game-changing ability throughout his career, combining rare first-step explosiveness with the power to collapse the pocket from the interior. While injuries have interrupted his momentum a bit too often, the former first-round pick has consistently shown why the Packers believed he could become a difference-maker when they selected him in the 2022 NFL Draft.. Wyatt should enter 2026 healthy and positioned to play a major role in Jonathan Gannon's defense alongside veteran free agent addition Javon Hargrave. His ability to generate interior pressure has become increasingly valuable in today's NFL, where disrupting quarterbacks from the inside is often the quickest path to defensive success. At $19 million per year, the contract reflects both Wyatt's production and the rapidly growing market for impact defensive tackles. Green Bay is betting that his best football is still ahead of him. With training camp just around the corner, the Packers have one less major contract question hanging over the roster.  Filed Under: Packers News   PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE. __________________________ Tags: green bay packersdevonte wyatt Like 0 pointsdlvr.it
⟳ Репост от Aaron Nagler
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Jordan Love, Packers Roster Remain Underrated #Packers #GoPackGo

Jordan Love, Packers Roster Remain UnderratedThis time of the NFL calendar, right before training camp, is when we feel the most starved for football, with very little to talk about. That means it is prime time for rankings, and plenty of consternation about perceived snubs. The Packers seem perennially underrated in exercises like this, and this year is no different, with some questionable placing of their star players, if they are included at all. Perhaps the most egregious example is Jordan Love. ESPN’s rankings, for which they surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts, to rank the top 10 players at every position, did not even have Love included in the top 10. He was listed third among the honorable mentions, which essentially means he was ranked 13th. This follows NFL.com ranking him as the 14th best QB in the league back in February. Those are frankly ludicrous rankings, especially after Love inarguably was one of the best three to five quarterbacks in the NFL in 2025 using any reasonable metric, beyond simple counting stats. The lack of counting stats is probably what hurts Love in these discussions, and is not his fault. Green Bay averaged the fewest possessions per game by any team in a season since at least 1999, when excluding kneeldowns. Even beyond the stats, you can use your eyes and see that Love played incredibly well last season. On ESPN’s list, he was ranked below Jared Goff and Caleb Williams, both of whom he easily outplayed across the season. NFL.com ranked him below Daniel Jones. No one would have expected Green Bay to have a wide receiver ranked in the top 10, but PFFs rankings of the top 32 receivers was absent a single Packer, which is more of a surprise. They are one of only seven teams without a receiver ranked in the top 32. Stefon Diggs and Tyreek Hill were ranked 17th and as an honorable mention respectively, and neither player has a team as of writing, Christian Watson would be the prime candidate for the Packers, and although he has not been able to put together a full season of production, mostly due to injuries, one would think he could have made the list over the likes of Calvin Ridley or Michael Wilson. Elsewhere, Zach Tom did not even make the honorable mentions section of ESPN’s offensive tackle rankings, essentially meaning he did not rank in top 15. That is debatable given his excellent performance over the past two seasons, even while playing through injury in 2025. Tucker Kraft was ranked as the 6th best tight end by ESPN, which is not egregious, but placing him behind Tyler Warren, who has one year in the league, feels questionable. Edgerrin Cooper ranked 9th among linebackers behind Nick Bolton and Jordyn Brooks, which again feels iffy. Josh Jacobs did get an honorable mention at running back, while Micah Parsons and Xavier McKinney were fairly ranked 2nd and 3rd at their respective positions. Overall though, the Packers continue to be underrated by the wider league, and given how little some people apparently think of their talent, it makes you wonder how they still manage to make the playoffs every year… It is on Green Bay to go deeper in the postseason this year and start earning some more respect around the league, which seems to be lacking at the moment.  Filed Under: Packers NewsFeaturedGreen Bay PackersMark Oldacres   PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE. __________________________ Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres __________________________ NFL Categories: Green Bay PackersTags: nfl roster rankingsPackers rosterJordan LoveChristian WatsonZach Tom Like 0 pointsdlvr.it
⟳ Репост от Aaron Nagler
CheeseheadTV

Staying Sane In The Long Dark Of The Offseason #Packers #GoPackGo

Staying Sane In The Long Dark Of The Offseason“The night is always gets darkest before dawn”. That’s what they say at least, but If that’s true then these next two weeks are sure to be the darkest period of the entire NFL calendar.  We are currently nine short (or long) days away from the Packers’ training camp beginning, the official start of the 2026-27 NFL season for the players. They won’t stop until after they win the Super Bowl on February 13th, which means 28 straight weeks of football for the players, coaches, and staff of your Green Bay Packers.  Training camp begins a little early for the Panthers and the Cardinals, who play the Hall of Fame game on August 6th. For the rest of the league, teams will slowly trickle in to begin their regiments. Some start on the 24th or 25th, but the vast majority (including the Packers) begin on the 28th. At that point, things kick into hyperdrive. The aforementioned Hall of Fame game is only nine days after the Packers report. The Packers’ famous “Family Night” is the day after that, and then Green Bay kicks off against the Pittsburgh Steelers six days later, in a game that really should have been scheduled to be played in Green Bay, but isn’t.  At that point, football is back, baby. Preseason football at least. And yes, we’ll quickly forget the long grind of the offseason, and the feeling of football withdrawal that we all currently suffer from. But until then, that’s the date we all have circled  But what to do in the meantime? Do we simply go into hibernation? Unless your life literally revolves around the Packers, probably not an option, no. If you are a masochist, I’d suggest re-watching a couple of select games from last season’s selections. Particularly, the games played on November 2nd, December 14th, December 20th, and January 10th. For the rest of us who prefer something that goes down a little smoother, I would offer the season opener against the Lions, or the re-match against Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburg.  Meanwhile, we also find ourselves in the middle of peak “list-making” season. Whether it’s come from the media giants, like the NFL’s top 100 list, or ESPN’s position rankings, or from smaller content creators, if you look too hard into the NFL-sphere right now, you’d be positively drowning in lists. Top fantasy target lists. MVP watchlists. Breakout players. The unfortunate gambling odds lists.  And to be clear, I’ve made my fair share of lists myself. I’ve personally tried to shy away from the list making on the written side of things. Lord knows I’ve made enough in some of my podcast appearances, which is a genre that particularly thrives, in my opinion, on that form of content. Heck, I’ve got a draft podcast that is literally nothing but lists, as we make our way through summer scouting for the upcoming college football season.  There does come a point, however, where it all starts to feel a little disingenuous, doesn’t it? Making predictive content for the 2026 season based on the 2025 season, when the whole point is that last season has no bearing on next season. It’s one of the biggest factors for making football a popular sport in the first place! In a league that changes at a hyperspeed pace like the NFL does, there are coaches and players out there working right now to ensure that their team will be the least similar version to last year’s team they can reasonably conjure.  Of course, I realize that there are constant through-lines in every single team, especially a team like the Packers who have doubled down on their pre-existing leadership: Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur. Particularly for the latter, that change is seemingly demanded of him from the fanbase that has grown a bit… antsy to say the least. Despite years of offensive success, the overall results have been lacking, so where does the change come from? His offensive staff has largely stayed intact over the course of the offseason, so change will have to come in a different way. LaFleur has already given us a hint. When asked about this topic, he said: “I think you’re always evaluating and making decisions that are best for the football team… You always look at ways to improve, and I thought the best way for us to move forward is we just got to strip everything down and start like it’s Year 1 all over again.” Meanwhile on the defensive side, we’ve got lots of turnover in staff and scheme, with incoming defensive coordinator Johnathan Gannon, professional “hider of what my scheme is”. Gannon’s career long tendencies as a play caller give us a couple hints as to what the defense might look like (base 3-4, lots of dime and quarters coverage , but we probably won’t really know until the Packers have played a couple of real games. We got another hint to this recently, however. On new defensive coordinator Johnathan Gannon: "He's great. He definitely brings a lot to the table," McDuffie said. "Him being a head coach and having the head-coaching experience brings a lot of leadership. ... He definitely brings that juice, and we're having a lot of fun. We're going to do some cool things. I don't want to get too much into it. It's gonna look a little different, but it's going to be fun to watch us, I'll say that." Exciting words from McDuffie, that both lend a lot of confidence to how the locker room perceives their new DC, and represent the changes made on the defensive side of the ball for next season. Changes that we should all keep an eye out for, when training camp finally does begin, and we get our little snippets of information from beat reporters on the scene.  But in the meantime? How exactly does one survive this portion of the offseason? Personally, it's a combination of excitement and the slow burn of building optimism. This isn't the time to find the things that could go wrong. For the Packers, there's no time like the present, and this is a team that is built to win now. This is going to be such an exciting season in Green Bay, and as we can finally see the first bits of light gathering on horizon, I hope that is what we'll all cling to!    Filed Under: Featured PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE. __________________________ Co-Owner of the thirteen time world champion Green Bay Packers. Sometimes I write about them. Follow me on Twitter at https://x.com/kjones_in_co and on Substack for film breakdowns! __________________________   Tags: Green Bay PackersPackers offseasonGannonMatt LaFleurJordan Love Like 0 pointsdlvr.it
⟳ Репост от Aaron Nagler
CheeseheadTV

Coming Out Hot: Packers Must Strike Early #Packers #GoPackGo

Coming Out Hot: Packers Must Strike EarlyThe Packers enter 2026 with an outlook they didn’t have going into 2025, an easier start to the season. While predicting the strength of a schedule based on previous season’s performance doesn’t always make the most sense. One thing that is certain is the Packers first three opponents all come with question marks. An early schedule that doesn’t immediately throw them into the teeth of the NFC’s elite is more than a luxury, it’s an opportunity, and one Green Bay absolutely must seize. A fast start isn’t just helpful; it’s foundational to everything this season can become. Now maybe the Vikings, Jets, and Falcons all come out guns a blazing to begin the year. Just know, they will have to do so all with fresh faces manning the huddle. With Kyler Murray on the Vikings, Geno Smith on the Jets (2nd stint but new coach), and Tua Tagovoilia on the Falcons. Green Bay has a chance to ruin these season debuts. The importance of coming out hot begins with momentum. Last year’s team proved how dangerous it can be once confidence takes root, but in the Jordan Love era, momentum surely rubs off on the entire team. Green Bay has seemed to hold onto the identity of letting things spiral when faced with adversity. With a core that is no longer considered very young, the pressure of having something to prove especially with how the previous season ended can really set the tone for what’s to come. Stacking wins builds belief, it all matters to a team that is still defining who it really is. There’s also the advantage of banking wins before the schedule tightens. The Packers midseason stretch is loaded with elite-caliber opponents, and teams that have each won their division, or made a trip to the playoffs within the last two years. Entering that gauntlet at 5–1 feels entirely different than entering it at say 3–3. A hot start creates margin for error, the kind of cushion that lets Matt LaFleur stay aggressive and evolve without every Sunday feeling like a referendum. It’s the difference between playing with a lead and playing from behind, not just in games but in the season itself. Something that Green Bay has made a habit of, making things harder on themselves. Getting off to a hot start while force LaFleur’s card to keep his foot on the gas and not let blown leads be the story of the 2026-27 season. Starting fast also accelerates the development curve of the offense. Love thrives when he can dictate tempo, and early wins allow LaFleur to lean deeper into his full playbook. When the Packers are ahead, they become the team they were built to be: creative, balanced, and unpredictable. When they’re chasing, they become narrower, easier to defend, and more dependent on heroics. The schedule gives them a chance to establish their identity before the pressure spikes. And then there’s the psychological edge. Opponents prepare differently for a team that starts 4–0. Suddenly Green Bay becomes the circle-on-the-calendar game again. Suddenly Lambeau feels heavier, louder, more like the fortress it used to be. A hot start changes how the league views the Packers, and how the Packers view themselves. There is no easy opponent in the NFL, no wins are a guarantee. What is guaranteed is experience, and comfortability in being there before. Green Bay, in a position they haven’t likely been through the past three seasons, will have more experience together than their first few opponents. That makes the start of this season an opening, a great opportunity. A chance to come out of the gates flaming hot, but with how last season ended, the schedule may have nothing to do with that attitude. Green Bay has a chance to launch 2026 with clarity, swagger, and momentum, setting the tone for a year that could redefine the first few years of this era. The schedule won’t stay friendly, but if the Packers strike early, it won’t have to. The packers have absolutely NO BUSINESS starting worse than 3-0 this year🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/gF1LZNhjKr — Carson Caldwell (@caldwellcorner_) July 18, 2026 10 things to know about the Packers' 2026 schedule@ticketmaster — Green Bay Packers (@packers) May 15, 2026 Filed Under: FeaturedLuke Leavitt PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE. __________________________ Luke Leavitt is a Contributor for Cheesehead TV, covering the Green Bay Packers. A Manchester by the Sea, Massachussetts native, Luke is a lifelong Packer fan, and 16-year shareholder. Keep up with Luke on X @LukeLeavitt7 __________________________ NFL Categories: Green Bay PackersTags: Packers Schedule Like 0 pointsdlvr.it
⟳ Репост от Aaron Nagler
CheeseheadTV

Ask Maggie: The World Cup’s Got Nothing on the Mailbag #Packers #GoPackGo

Ask Maggie: The World Cup’s Got Nothing on the MailbagWe continue to inch closer to the start of training camp! We’re just a few short weeks away. Just like the World Cup, the mailbag is international. Cheesehead TV isn’t kidding when they say they’re devoted to Packers fans, worldwide, huh? Now let’s get into these questions.  “I know I shouldn't care, but I've been taken aback by how lowly Jordan Love is being regarded by the rest of the league this offseason. My theory is that it's because he is following Favre and Rodgers. If he were playing for the Browns, he'd be viewed as elite. Why do you think #10 is not viewed as a top QB in the league?” - Tony I think that unfortunately, Jordan Love is going to be scrutinized until he wins multiple MVPs and a Super Bowl like his predecessors, yeah. Remember in Jordan’s first season as a starter when he threw for 4,159 yards and 32 TDs? Those numbers are better than any Bears quarterback in NFL history…including 2025. But hey.  Love has been steadily improving in each of his three seasons as a starter. His completion percentage continues to climb, his passer rating is up, he’s becoming a better decision-maker at the helm. He ranked sixth in the NFL in passer rating last year. I’m not sure what more he has to prove to the rest of the league, but apparently it’s a lot.  Wins aren’t a quarterback stat, but it certainly feels like reputations are built on wins and losses when it comes to the quarterback position. Does Love have some memorable interceptions in inopportune moments? Of course. Every quarterback will. But he also has enough “wow” plays where I’m comfortable living with those picks. If you asked me “Do you trust Love in big moments?” I would say yes.  I firmly believe he’s a top-10 quarterback in the NFL. He’s got the right supporting cast around him on offense to put the league on notice this year and finally put the debate to rest if he can stay healthy (and trust his offensive line). I think he will.   “Hey Maggie! Will you be attending the Shareholders meeting? Family night? How do you plan on observing this year’s training camp? Hopefully you’ll be able to spend a little time in Titletown. Thanks!” - Jim One of my favorite Packers training camp memories was in 2021 when Perri and I rented an AirBnB for a week. We covered all the training camp practices, linked up with other writers and podcasters, and got to be “tourists” all around Green Bay. There’s probably still footage on YouTube somewhere of the live show we filmed at Corey’s house that we had to pause in the middle of because the sky went dark and I think the tornado sirens started going off.  I haven’t actually been to a Shareholders Meeting yet, despite being a shareholder. They always happen to fall on days that I have professional development or something pressing happening at work. But I’m hoping to get to one eventually! I also can’t wait to get the kids to a Family Night, but we might be another year or two out on making that happen.  I should try to get up to training camp at least for a little bit this year, find a day or two to sneak away. Maybe I’ll see when some other Cheesehead TV people will be around (lookin’ at you, Nagler) and try to pop up.  I’m blessed to be in-market for Family Night and preseason games, so I at least get to watch all of those on TV and evaluate players that way. But for most of training camp I rely on the sights and sounds I hear from everyone else. You’ve definitely inspired me to try to get back this year though, Jim! We’ll see what I can do.  “Hey there. Matt from Berlin here. I really checked out during this offseason so far but now that we are in the second part of July and the World Cup is ending, I know I will be paying more attention. My question: If you could wave a magic wand and fix one thing on a player from last year, other than simply heal an injury, who would it be and why? Vielen Dank aus Berlin und Go Pack Go!” - Matt Hey Matt! Thanks for writing in from Berlin. I love this question. I know this isn’t technically fixing something on a specific player, but I would have been really curious to let Lucas Havrisik kick all season instead of having the team go back to Brandon McManus. We talked about the McManus numbers in an earlier mailbag, but going 6-of-12 on kicks 40-plus yards is abysmal. Havrisik missed two extra points, yes, but he was perfect on field goals in his three games with a long of 61 yards. Those points add up, and converting field goals also, of course, alters how you play the game situationally. You’re giving your opponent strong starting field position instead of trying to pin them deep on a kickoff.  If I can’t wave my wand and outright swap players, run blocking along the offensive line would be my choice. I know that’s again kind of cheating because I’m not focusing on a specific lineman, but the inconsistencies in the run game really made the rest of the offense struggle. In that same vein, maybe I’d highlight Sean Rhyan specifically and give him the opportunity to settle in at center much earlier in the season? For continuity’s sake on the o-line? But yeah, to me, better run blocking would have solved some significant challenges. It wasn’t for a lack of effort from Josh Jacobs, either. He still averaged 4.0 yards per carry in 2025 with 13 touchdowns. But the Packers ranked seventh in attempts, 15th in yards, and 24th in yards per attempt on offense (4.1). For as much as Green Bay wanted to run the ball, the production didn’t align.  That’ll do it for this week’s mailbag! If you’re in the line of these wildfires, I hope you’re staying as safe as you can. The smoke we’ve been getting in Wisconsin the last few days is no joke. Absolutely unreal air quality. As always, don’t forget to send your questions in at chtvmailbag@gmail.com. See you next week! Filed Under: FeaturedMaggie Loney   PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE. __________________________ Maggie Loney is a writer for Cheesehead TV and podcaster for Pack's What She Said. Find her on Bluesky at @MaggieJLoney. __________________________ NFL Categories: Green Bay PackersTags: Jordan LoveJosh Jacobsrun blockingSpecial Teams Like 0 pointsdlvr.it
⟳ Репост от Aaron Nagler
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Nick Niemann Vs. Kristian Welch: Who Gets the Final Linebacker spot? #Packers #GoPackGo

Nick Niemann Vs. Kristian Welch: Who Gets the Final Linebacker spot?The Green Bay Packers have several intriguing position battles heading into training camp, but one of the least discussed could ultimately prove to be one of the most important. While the starting linebacker spots appear spoken for with Zaire Franklin, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie, and Ty'Ron Hopper all positioned ahead on the depth chart, the battle for what is likely the fifth and final linebacker spot on the 53-man roster deserves plenty of attention. That competition comes down to two veterans who know exactly what their NFL roles are: Nick Niemann and Kristian Welch. Neither player is fighting for defensive snaps every Sunday. Instead, they are competing to become one of Green Bay's core special teams contributors while providing reliable depth in case injuries strike. Both players have carved out careers through hustle, physicality, and versatility, making this one of the more difficult roster decisions Brian Gutekunst and the coaching staff will face. There is a legitimate case for either linebacker making the roster. In the end, however, Nick Niemann should have the edge for a second straight season.  Let’s start with Kristian Welch. His argument begins with familiarity. The Wisconsin native has become something of a trusted organizational player. He understands Green Bay's culture, has bounced between the active roster and practice squad multiple times, and has consistently answered the call whenever injuries have forced the Packers to elevate him. Coaches appreciate players who can step into multiple roles without disrupting preparation, and Welch has repeatedly shown he can do exactly that. Special teams have also been the foundation of Welch's NFL career. Since entering the league as an undrafted free agent, he has earned opportunities largely because of his willingness to embrace the game's third phase. Whether covering kicks, blocking on return units, or serving as a dependable reserve, Welch rarely makes mental mistakes. He understands lane discipline, takes smart pursuit angles, and consistently plays under control. That reliability matters. New Special teams coordinator Cam Achord will likely value players he can trust more than players with flashier athletic traits. Welch has earned that trust over several seasons, and his experience in Green Bay's system eliminates much of the uncertainty that often surrounds the final roster spots.There's also the durability factor. Welch has repeatedly proven capable of stepping into active roles with little preparation. He has been one of the Packers biggest beneficiaries of the new practice squad rules, allowing  vets and weekly call ups. While he  isn't expected to contribute much defensively, coaches know exactly what they're getting each week. For a roster spot that could easily come down to dependability, Welch checks nearly every box. Still, the Packers didn't simply bring back both veterans to reward familiarity. They brought them back to compete. That is where Nick Niemann begins separating himself. Like Welch, Niemann built his NFL career through special teams. But he offers something that is becoming increasingly valuable in today's NFL—elite production in that role. Before a pectoral injury cut his 2025 season short, Niemann quickly established himself as one of Green Bay's most impactful special teams players after joining the team during final roster cuts. Despite appearing in only seven regular-season games, he led the Packers in special teams tackles, an impressive accomplishment considering the limited number of games he played. His impact was immediate and noticeable whenever he was healthy. That kind of production isn't easy to replace. Special teams often determine field position, hidden yardage, and occasionally the outcome of close games. Players capable of consistently winning one-on-one battles in kickoff and punt coverage have tremendous value, even if they rarely play defense. Niemann has shown he can be one of those difference-makers. His athletic profile also gives him a slight advantage. At 6-foot-3 with good straight-line speed and outstanding range, Niemann covers ground exceptionally well in space. He arrives at the football quickly, takes efficient pursuit angles, and has the burst needed to defeat blocks before returners can establish momentum. Those traits of course translate directly to special teams, his speciality.  While neither linebacker projects as a defensive contributor unless injuries pile up, Niemann arguably offers a little more upside if he is forced into action. During his previous stops with the Chargers and Texans, Niemann gained valuable defensive experience that Welch largely lacks. He has started NFL games, understands defensive responsibilities, and has proven capable of handling emergency snaps if necessary. No one is suggesting he should be competing for meaningful defensive playing time, the Packers have very capable linebackers ahead of him.  But if Green Bay suddenly needed its fifth linebacker to play 20 or 25 snaps because of injuries, Niemann's experience likely provides coaches with greater confidence. There is another factor that cannot be ignored. The Packers' financial decisions this offseason offered a subtle but meaningful clue regarding how the organization views both players. Green Bay re-signed both linebackers, but Niemann reportedly received substantially more guaranteed money than Welch. While contract guarantees don't automatically determine roster spots, they often reflect how teams value players entering camp. The larger commitment suggests the Packers entered training camp expecting Niemann to occupy that fifth linebacker role while viewing Welch as excellent practice squad insurance. Training camp will ultimately determine who wins the job. Welch absolutely has a path to pulling off the upset.If he consistently outperforms Niemann during special teams drills, avoids mistakes in preseason action, and continues displaying the steady reliability coaches appreciate, Green Bay could decide familiarity outweighs athletic upside. After all, the difference between these two players is not dramatic. Both understand their assignments and their place on the roster. Both have embraced thankless roles that many players resist. Both know the quickest path to an NFL roster is dominating special teams.That makes this one of training camp's biggest under the radar competitions. Yet when comparing their complete resumes, Niemann simply provides a little more. His special teams production was exceptional before injury. His athleticism gives him greater range. He has accumulated more meaningful defensive experience. The organization invested more financially in keeping him around. Most importantly, he has already shown he can become one of the Packers' premier special teams players in a relatively short period of time. That combination is difficult to overlook. Assuming both linebackers stay healthy throughout camp, Niemann enters the competition with a slight but deserved advantage. Welch has earned tremendous respect inside the organization and would likely be one of the first players Green Bay calls if injuries create another opening during the season. His professionalism and consistency make him an ideal practice squad candidate who can be elevated whenever needed. But if the Packers only keep five off-ball linebackers, every roster spot has to maximize value. Nick Niemann does exactly that. His ability to flip field position through elite special teams play, combined with enough defensive experience to handle emergency responsibilities, makes him the more complete option for the final linebacker spot. It won't be a landslide victory, and Welch will make the coaching staff think long and hard before final cuts are made. When the dust settles, though, expect Nick Niemann to hear his name when Green Bay announces its initial 53-man roster. Filed Under: FeaturedGreen Bay PackersDan Saia -Dan Saia NFL Categories: Green Bay PackersTags: Packers roster battlesGreen Bay Packers linebackersPackers special teams Like 0 pointsdlvr.it
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