Confessions of a Polluted Mindset - Fully Coordinated
The Weekly Packers Brain Drain from Jersey Al.
By JerseyAl
We got to hear from the trio of Packers coordinators on Monday, featuring of the first public "unveiling" of new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Here are some of my takeaways from what they had to say:
Cam Achord
New special teams coordinator Cam Achord, who no one was complaining about not hearing from (unlike Jonathan Gannon) got his opportunity to meet the media and take questions. My first impression of the Mississippi native is a hard-working, intelligent, detail-oriented planner type. Turns out he has a double undergraduate degree in computer information science and sports administration as well as a Masters degree in sports management, so that tracks.
His approach to coaching special teams is to start with and pound home the fundamentals. Only when satisfied with that aspect is when they will get into schemes and game scenarios.
Field goal kickers - The main thing he wants in his kicker is that the ball isn't moving around. Kick it hard and straight and make the kicks you're expected to make. He's not as concerned about ability to make 60+ yard kicks. With respect to kicking in cold weather, he is not concerned about Trey Smack coming from Florida to cold Green Bay. He gave multiple examples of great NFL kickers who came from warm weather colleges who excelled in cold weather NFL cities (one of whom was Mason Crosby). He wants field goals to be taken hard and straight, where the ball is not moving around or floating. This lines up with advice Matt Stover gave Smack as a teenager about how to kick in cold and windy conditions
Returners - His mantra for returners above all else is "don't give up the ball." Secure the catch, and protect the ball through the duration of the play until the whistle blows. Only then can they talk about choosing return lanes, setting up blocks and gaining some extra yards for the offense.
Adam Stenavich
Is anyone ever clamoring for Stenavich to speak? Not to be mean, but probably not. He's pretty dry and pretty much says the same things every year, Anyway, here are my takeaways from what he said.
Jordan Morgan is confirmed as a tackle. Duh. I had him 100% as a tackle in our draft guide while others projected him as a guard. That made zero sense to me from watching his college tape. Watching Morgan at tackle in camp last year when Rasheed Walker was out with an injury convinced Steno. I could have just told him.
He thinks center is Sean Rhyan's best position to play in the NFL. This is a bit of a backhanded compliment. He's basically admitting what we all saw - that Rhyan was pretty unimpressive as a guard.
Steno sounds very high on Jagger Burton and thinks center is also his best position (camp battle anyone?). He mentioned Burton's athleticism several times as what has impressed him the most. Of course, seeing him in live action against NFL defensive linemen will tell us a lot more about him.
To no one's surprise, versatility and positional cross-training seeped into every answer he gave to questions about the offensive line.
Steno shrugged off the question about his poor off-season player survey grade and refused to admit any of it matters to him. I would have liked a more thoughtful answer, maybe mention something he wants to improve on, survey or not.
It's probably just me, but I still think of him more as the offensive line coach than the offensive coordinator. Then again, the majority of the questions posed to him were offensive line related, so maybe it not just me.
Jonathan Gannon
Strange, but I got a kind of an understated corporate feel from Gannon, except for his use of the word "cool." While I didn't count, a safe guess would be that he used it about 20 times.
Gannon said the interview process with the Packers and LaFleur in particular was pretty intense. He admitted to sweating a bit and working hard to keep up with the pace of the conversation. That being said, he returned home after the interviews and told his wife that Green Bay is where he wanted to go..
Tell me if you've heard this before, but there is no specific defensive "scheme" in his mind (he has "principles"). More important to him is play style (fast, violent, physical). It's all about adapting to your players and your opponent (doing what's best for your players and worst for your opponent) .Gannon said It will be a new "system" in air quotes for the the 2026 Packers. Yes this is pretty standard fare for new incoming defensive coordinators, so we'll just let the results speak for themselves.
Remember the "illusion of complexity?" Well, Gannon has hs own version, "complex presentation, simple execution." Probably landed him the job when LaFleur heard that.
Throughout the interview he was very complimentary of Lafleur, and effusive in his praise, using terms like "savant" and "high achiever." Buttering up the boss!
The thing he said that I liked the most was that there were no assumed or pre-defined roles at this time. Everyone's competing for their role on the team. Assume nothing.
Some people really care about this (I don't) but Gannon said that he plans to be on the field during games as opposed to upstairs in the booth. I can make a good argument in favor of each approach, so it likely just comes down to what the individual is most comfortable with. However, I'm going to miss those full frontal closeups of the DC's nose hairs during the broadcasts.
Go Pack Go!
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"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of various hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He's a lifetime Packers fan living in the land of the Giants (and Jets). Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP.
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Comments (85)
Lare
May 06, 2026 at 05:46 am
Coaching comments don’t really mean anything. It all comes down to team performance on the field.
All in all, while the coordinators will get some of the credit if they’re successful, MLF will get most of the blame if they’re not.
Cheezehead72
May 06, 2026 at 06:09 am
And MLF should after all he hired them, he is the HC, and he is the OC and play caller. When you wear that many hats you should get the most blame just like he will get the most praise if things go well. No I am not holding my breath on that last one.
Savage57
May 06, 2026 at 05:47 am
The fact the DC's going to be on the sideline is good news and a welcome change.
Late in the game, when the defense is shitting all over themselves and Matt's busy playing OC, someone's going to be there to stop the bleeding and get the ship back on course.
(Any bonus points for mixed metaphors?)
Cheezehead72
May 06, 2026 at 06:13 am
I disagree. I prefer to see both coordinators in the booth. There is way too much action on the sidelines during the game and it is harder for the coordinator to see what is happening.
Yes it is the coordinators decision.
There are so many other coaches that are on the sidelines to get the offense or defense going. I will admit that the ST coordinator should be on the sideline. Oh and he is a good person to get the team going as he works with both defense and offense.
We are all entitled to our opinions thank you for sharing.
golfpacker61
May 06, 2026 at 08:36 am
100% Cheeze, they should be in the booth.
Coldworld
May 06, 2026 at 08:52 am
I couldn’t give a rodents behind whether they are upstairs or on the sideline. Both have worked very well for different coordinators. It should depend on their personal strengths and their trust in and division of labor Vis-a-vis their staff. As long as it works, it doesn’t matter. I don’t know what works best for Gannon. All I care is that he finds it.
Since'61
May 06, 2026 at 01:17 pm
Agree 100% Coldworld. Thanks, Since '61
jannesbjornson
May 06, 2026 at 07:55 pm
He can stand on the sideline and still view the (i) Pad to review a Formation. They have about 30 coaches distilling the action, someone should know what the hell is going on.
MitchAnthony
May 06, 2026 at 07:20 pm
You don't see the value in having someone there to grab that challenge flag from Matt LaFleur and say, "No, not now. Don't do it. You'll lose this one."
Because I see the value in that.
jannesbjornson
May 06, 2026 at 07:52 pm
Fritz worked the sideline.
PeteK
May 06, 2026 at 08:02 am
As long as he has a trusted spotter in the booth.
dobber
May 06, 2026 at 08:03 am
"(Any bonus points for mixed metaphors?)"
You're a poet, Sav!
Cheezehead72
May 06, 2026 at 06:20 am
Al thank you for providing your take on the pressers. I do not watch them. I find them much like watching a politician talk about what they will do if elected. All I usually hear is blah, blah, blah. I will wait and watch them in action.
So Achord said nothing that the average fan would not say. Did he say anything on how he was going to teach those concepts or get the players to do it. Sounds like a parent telling their child to clean their room without showing them what they mean by cleaning their room.
I have no comment for the OC in name only.
As for Gannon I guess I will wait and see as it appears he did not say anything that I did not already know about his coaching style other than he will be on the sideline and I already covered that.
Thank you for taking one for the fans.
Since'75
May 06, 2026 at 06:39 am
"All I usually hear is blah, blah, blah. I will wait and watch them in action."
"As for Gannon I guess I will wait and see..."
Keywords...wait, see.
Nothing is won....at a podium.
*********
"It's time to win Championships"
That quote might give some fans the warm and fuzzys, it might even get him an extension, but it means nothing in present tense, until....it does.
Starrbrite
May 06, 2026 at 08:51 am
Exactly!!
Guam
May 06, 2026 at 07:22 am
Lots of coach speak happening at any presser and Achord is no different. I do like the idea of focusing on fundamentals. I would love to see a Packer gunner actually wrap up on a tackle instead of just throwing a shoulder at a runner. In fact I wouldn't mind seeing the whole damn defense wrap up on tackles........
LambeauPlain
May 06, 2026 at 08:53 am
Hafley's defenses were good at tackling. Missed tackles under Barry were near NFL highs. Hafley's focus on the skill was very effective...aided by his "swarm to the ball" mentality to avoid misses. Hafley also preached keeping game plans simple, tailored to the players skills to help them play fast.
Maybe the new "system" may not be all that unfamiliar to Gannon's new players after all.
Guam
May 06, 2026 at 10:32 am
Generally agree about Hefley's defense although there were some players in the secondary (Stokes, Alexander and Valentine) that made too many "business decisions" about tackling. Two of the three problems are gone and I hope Gannon can get through to Valentine about the importance of run support for a CB.
Since'75
May 06, 2026 at 12:58 pm
I googled 'business decisions about tackling'
I got a page filled with Tramon Williams.
I've seen too many cornerbacks that went to the Tramon Williams School of Tackling.
I joke...but if we're going to be fair, most cornerbacks aren't known to be good tacklers.
But yea....Tramon took it to a new level
WestCoastPackerBacker
May 06, 2026 at 01:47 pm
Tramon was a good tackler until he hurt his shoulder! Same with Jaire.
Since'75
May 06, 2026 at 05:17 pm
Exclamation point?
Didn't mean to upset you.
So, was he a bad tackler with an excuse?
After he healed, he was a good tackler?
How about i retract, and just say, Tramon was a great tackler(!)
I said 'most cornerbacks'.
I didn't mean to upset anyone, i should have mentioned Jaire was exempt.
My bad.
I'm sorry, i hope everyone is ok.
I'm going to give myself a time out.
jannesbjornson
May 06, 2026 at 07:58 pm
Tramon played to the ball and bagged the INTs. That's what counts for a CB. He swung the momentum in Atlanta & Philly. He helped get that squad into the SB.
Since'75
May 07, 2026 at 01:10 pm
He made some plays, especially in big games, that's for damn sure.
More than i can say for a lot of our 1st round picks.
But then again, we were talking about cornerback tackling.
***********
Well...i done got told!!!!
Lol
*******
Kids...Stay in school.
A mind...is a terrible thing to waste.
Lare
May 06, 2026 at 07:54 am
I can see keeping Stenovich as OC in name only as long as he was still effective as an OL coach, but their OL’s have sucked lately.
Perhaps it’s time to get a real OC to give MLF some input and a real OL coach that can bring some improvement.
Unfortunately, I think we’re just going to see more of the same old, same old this season.
LambeauPlain
May 06, 2026 at 09:10 am
There is a reason Stenovich remains a long-tenured Packer coach. Where else would he go? Has the long-tenured OC ever been viewed as an NFL HC candidate?
Stenovich is mostly the OL coach and is focused on the run game aided by Butkus, Eddie Gordon, and RB coach Ben Sirmans (one of their best O coaches). There is no Run Game Coordinator.
Does OC Stenovich have any responsibilities for the passing game? No, and isn't that is rare for an OC? And he won't be getting any Pass Game responsibilities anytime soon.
This season the Pass Game will coached by LaFleur, aided by QB/Asst. HC Luke Getsy, Pass Game Coordinator Jason Vrable, Pass Game Specialist Connor Lewis, WR Coach Noah Pauley and his assistant Rob Grosso.
I don't see any chairs for the OC in the Pass Game room.
TKWorldWide
May 06, 2026 at 06:21 am
Is there a Hafley hangover going on here? The guy had such charisma with the press that all these coaches are at an immediate disadvantage?
Is it the nature of the beast to be kind of down on the HC? Is there an untrue “grass is greener” factor? Was Tomlin beloved in Pittsburgh? Is Shanahan the man in San Fran? (Extra points for rhymes, Savage57?)
I wonder if it’s correct to assume that we are negative towards MLF but all the other HC’s are the mayors of their markets.
dobber
May 06, 2026 at 07:57 am
Hafley was a college HC...gotta be able to sell.
LambeauPlain
May 06, 2026 at 09:26 am
"I wonder if it’s correct to assume that we are negative towards MLF but all the other HC’s are the mayors of their markets."
Would it matter, TK?
If the other "mayors" have a 3-6 playoff record with MVP and top 10 QBs, and a trend of losing big games and losing them late...their fans might be negatory too.
LaFleur has earned his negativity. His fan inventory is certainly not all negative...he is intelligent, creative, hard working, and very personable. But after 7 years with a trajectory that has their playoff success arrow pointing down? We should expect more...a lot more.
TKWorldWide
May 06, 2026 at 09:53 am
Nah, it wouldn’t matter. But I think it’s the job of every NFL fan to be dissatisfied. I think it’s the same in every NFL city.
LambeauPlain
May 06, 2026 at 10:28 am
I was quite satisfied with Holmgren and McCarthy's first half of his tenure...his inattentiveness to defense kept him from more SBs.
LaFleur brought quick satisfaction by shining his first 3 years and has been fading since.
Maybe he will get the Packers back to successful playoff football. If the Defense can exceed expectations and the OL becomes a strength...maybe.
PhantomII
May 06, 2026 at 09:05 pm
Hafley might have been a good talker but GB still lost 5 in a row to end the season...in no small part to the defenses inability to make a stop AND ML could not seem to get the offense going either....
Since'75
May 06, 2026 at 06:34 am
Sometimes it's fun to remember and appreciate....
Aaron Rodgers Documentary: ESPN E:60
Aaron Rodgers The Bad Man
Watch and enjoy.
********
Some still hate Rodgers? LoL
Grow up boys.
GregC
May 06, 2026 at 07:25 am
Cam Achord was folksy and kind of fun. I liked his enthusiasm.
Jonathan Gannon was opaque but somehow came off as no-nonsense, if that makes any sense. I had a feeling that he very much knows what he's going to do, but he isn't going to tell us anything about it. Maybe, just maybe, the reporters could've pried something out of him by asking more pointed questions about his defensive philosophy.
Agreed that Adam Stenovich should've given us a little more insight or thoughtfulness. Matt LaFleur acknowledged the low NFLPA grades and indicated that there were some real issues that need to be corrected. I don't see why Stenovich could not have at least backed up his head coach on that.
Of course the reality is that most coaches are just playing defense in these press conferences, being careful not to put anything out there that may cause a controversy.
dobber
May 06, 2026 at 08:03 am
I think LaF taking the heat/lead on the NFLPA stuff was probably by design.
"being careful not to put anything out there that may cause a controversy."
Pressers are usually pretty milquetoast, but I think, especially in the case of new hires, they really only have a skeleton in place of what they're going to do, and they need to get into minicamps and training camp before they see how players really fit and how it really fleshes out.
GregC
May 06, 2026 at 08:22 am
You very well may be right that it was by design. LaFleur generally takes all of the heat for everything. It just seems to me like it would look better if his OC at least showed solidarity with him, especially considering that the OC got the lowest grade. I don't think it is a big deal, though.
Coldworld
May 06, 2026 at 09:35 am
I agree with your point on solidarity. LaFleur, any leader, should take responsibility personally and as the person who put the other people in place. That said, if he doesn’t ensure that others understand and, crucially accept and buy into their role in the issue, it’s pointless and failed leadership as well as a lack of individual self-accountability.
Stenavich showed no sign that it (or LaFleur) had caused him to even reevaluate, not even a glimmer of recognition of the need. That in itself ought to raise flags if it’s true, not merely a person who is not very articulate about such things.
LambeauPlain
May 06, 2026 at 09:51 am
Hearing Stenovich earned the low NFLPA grade was not a surprise.
That he does not even acknowledge it is concerning. Makes you wonder if LaFleur just told him "don't worry about the grade. Just keep doing what you're doing."
Stenovich could have simply said "I appreciated feedback. How do you improve without it? I intend to."
GregC
May 06, 2026 at 11:50 am
Yes, he could've said something like that. Instead, he dissed the feedback for being anonymous, but anonymous feedback is valuable because people tend to be much more candid when there is no fear of repercussions.
Since'61
May 06, 2026 at 01:25 pm
What Stenovich could and should be doing is asking for on going feedback from the players. He should be looking to his players as one of multiple approaches to help him improve as a coach. That is what good managers/coaches do. Unfortunately this is just another example of the failure of the Packers as an organization to hold anyone accountable. IMO Stenavich has a free ride with MLF as HC. Thanks, Since '61
LambeauPlain
May 06, 2026 at 09:34 am
If asked who would be one of, or the lowest graded NFLPA Packer coach, Stenovich would have topped my list.
He remains in the good graces of his OC...er, I mean his HC.
stockholder
May 06, 2026 at 07:34 am
Discipline starts on the field.
Not in the press box.
I really like coaches with their players.
Their not afraid of them, and share
the emotion.
Their appreciation, reminders,
and encouragement, is needed.
Not distance.
dobber
May 06, 2026 at 08:00 am
Coaches need to be where they feel the most comfortable...whether it's the booth or on the field. Mostly it's the position coaches meeting with players and position groups when they're off the field. I want the offensive play caller to be able to talk face to face with the QB though.
LambeauPlain
May 06, 2026 at 09:39 am
Hafley's fiery, extrovert personality would make me assume he'd be best on the sidelines. Gannon, more an introvert and analytical, would be assumed to be in the booth.
The meaning of the word "a s s u m e" comes to mind.
GregC
May 06, 2026 at 10:13 am
That is a good point!
dobber
May 06, 2026 at 11:45 am
With the Eagles, Gannon coached from the sidelines...according to Google.
PeteK
May 06, 2026 at 08:07 am
I would prefer seeing nose hairs as opposed to other short hairs.
TKWorldWide
May 06, 2026 at 08:11 am
I’m sure you mean rabbits of limited height.
Cheezehead72
May 06, 2026 at 08:12 am
Not unless he misspelled.
TKWorldWide
May 06, 2026 at 08:44 am
Included, along with “Your saying they need to draft at least to offensive lineman” 😂🏈
dobber
May 06, 2026 at 08:20 am
"Heywood leads the league in most offensive categories, including nose hair. When this guy sneezes, he looks like a party favor"
--Harry Doyle
golfpacker61
May 06, 2026 at 09:07 am
Awesome Major League reference dobber. I will raise you"
"How would you like to manage the Cleveland Indians."
"Awww, I don't know. Let me get back to you, I got a guy on the other line about some whitewalls."
The manager, Lew, was the best character in the movie.
LambeauPlain
May 06, 2026 at 09:58 am
Greatly desire the OL will soon resemble this Lew quote : "They're coming together!!"
dobber
May 06, 2026 at 10:29 am
As long as it's not the two groundskeepers...
"They're still shitty!"
Coldworld
May 06, 2026 at 08:47 am
I share your reaction to the handling of Morgan. As it proved, had he been prepared for RT, he could look pretty decent there too with a little familiarity. That had ripple effects. When Tom wasn’t available we saw Belton.
In fact, one could add Belton and Rhyan into that chain of bafflement. The praise for Belton coming in to play RG on a few days notice and coping after he’d never practiced there at all. It’s not like Belton wasn’t predicted to be a G by many before the draft: it wasn’t out of the blue. Then there was the comment that C looks like being Rhyan’s best position. Good, but it took 4 years to figure that out?
One can listen to that presser and hear a comedy of errors. Keystone Cops coaching. That may be harsh, but less so with each seasonal repetition. I find it somewhat stunning that his superiors can listen to what he’s actually saying and not see that he’s a man completely out of his depth and allow that to continue.
Achord was by far the most impressive presenter, though Gannon was by no means bad. If Achord communicates like that with his players, we might actually see some improvement. I like his approach of starting with the similarities to what they do elsewhere and building basics before putting it together. Most of these guys were not ST stalwarts in college. They were the better positional players. Build understanding and link techniques first. Let’s hope it works. As to kicking, he’s clearly given that art considerable personal attention before. That’s good to know.
I think, had Gannon said that a few months ago, no one would have batted an eye and no GM would have been any the wiser about our draft plans. As for his approach, he claims to have the overarching purpose of getting the ball back into Love’s hands. That would suggest a D that plays to win rather than not to lose. That would be a striking change under LaFleur. Seeing is believing however.
greengold
May 06, 2026 at 10:13 am
Steno is not good front of house material. He deserves his bashings, but the light may have gone on for him after the past two years. Three? Four? Now, he needs to be on point and to produce.
Stenovich had better get with LaFleur on more heavy set formations too. Josh Jacobs needs holes to run through. The beating he took last year was on both the HC and the OC.
FFS, fix it.
I think Gutekunst needs to provide more help at OL/TE as well. Establishing a solid starting 5 of maulers is paramount.
jannesbjornson
May 06, 2026 at 08:30 pm
Thet still have not drafted a Fullback to help facilitate a power running game. You need the lead dog to clear off the outside. Tightends cannot get low enough.
LambeauPlain
May 06, 2026 at 10:16 am
I simply do not see ongoing OL development.
Tom was a highly touted college Center. His off the chart quickness and balance translated well to T. He is not the versatile rule for an NFL OL prospect...he is the great exception.
Rhyan was an all American Freshman and 3 year starter all Pac 10 LT for UCLA as a 3rd rounder. I thought he was a nice T prospect.
So of course, in the name of versatility, cross training and musical chairs in season, he is moved to G. Did Stenovich and Butkus practice him at LT at all? How about RT? How'd he do at LG vs Runyon, then Morgan? No decisive wins. So now see if he can be a C. Maybe Rhyan is just a better Tackle.
Same thing with Morgan. Lifetime, highly touted LT in his draft class so he is told to focus on G. Maybe he is just a better Tackle. Well, after two years, Stenovich finally agrees.
Belton? Apparently G now? Maybe?
Will Burton get a real shot to displace Rhyan?
greengold
May 06, 2026 at 09:27 am
Looks like no more square pegs into round holes on O, D and STs. LaFleur being committed to this should improve play overall.
Morgan at LT where he started for 4 seasons at Arizona, producing historically great PFF grades. I could see Jager Burton winning the starting OC position by Week 1. He’s that good. Bright enough, tough enough, and athletic enough to pull that off. He should have been gone R3. GB was fortunate he was still around R5.
Gannon already appears to have a sound grasp of the concept, building his D around the strengths of his players. Thinking this could drastically change the landscape in the Packers secondary specifically. I could easily see both CB1 & CB2 with new starters this season. Nixon & Valentine surviving this talent infusion of St-Juste, Cisse & Jackson is looking to be highly unlikely.
Guessing we will see LaFleur make more of our better players available to STs as well, which should in turn produce better results than the bottom of roster players previously. Give Achord what he needs to be successful. Nothing’s been mentioned about that, but LaFleur and the Packers would benefit from putting more of his best guys out there with regularity on STs. We all saw what happened when Doubs got ONE ST snap.
We’ll see.
GregC
May 06, 2026 at 09:55 am
I'm less bullish than you are about the rookies being able to contribute a lot this year, but I agree with your overall point. I liked that the GM's strategy in this off-season, including the draft, was more about team-buliding rather than just acquiring talent, throwing it onto the pile (as they've done at OL and WR the last few years), and expecting the coaches to sort it out. We actually have a starting OL penciled in, with everyone playing their best position, and a clear pecking order with the WRs. Also, the Zaire Franklin signing neatly filled the hole left by the departure of Quay Walker. All this, plus a kick returner and a new kicker who looks promising!
greengold
May 06, 2026 at 10:20 am
Yeah GregC. I’m willing to bet Gannon has been heavily involved with all the additions we’ve seen on D. Our corner play could not have been worse last year, and the simple math points to St-Juste, Cisse and Jackson as being far superior players with higher ceilings.
Seems Nixon’s contract wishes might become an issue to consider as well.
***Wanted to mention for my friends here: Bill Huber on SI has a fantastic piece on some new additions titled “Sexy Fat Man.” Phenomenal takes from those who ran both the Senior & Shrine Bowls on some of our draftees.
golfpacker61
May 06, 2026 at 05:13 pm
" I could see Jager Burton winning the starting OC position by Week 1. He’s that good. Bright enough, tough enough, and athletic enough to pull that off. He should have been gone R3. GB was fortunate he was still around R5."
Looking back at the 2026 draft GreenGold, things really did fall right for us in this draft, with Burton yes, but moreso in Cisse and DDS falling to us without any pick wasting trades. I will throw Jackson in there too because last year he was projected as a 1st or 2nd round pick. We really do need a more consistent kicker, so Smack is a good addition for us, especially being the #1 kicker.
But I will always wonder how the rest of the draft would have changed if we had stayed put @ #84 and still selected McClellan, I and actual NFL draft experts think he would have been. But if we could have kept #160, Nic Singleton-RB-Penn State would have been a great pick and RB2 would have been filled, and he could replace Jacobs in 2027. Throw in hypothetically not trading both 7th round picks and not drafting Smack, and having GB select Dallen Bentley-TE @ #236 and then taking Diego Pounds @ #255, would have really closed out the Packers 2026 draft with a bang.
I am happy with our small, strong draft class, but when I think of what it could have been, probably the number one rated draft class easily. And would have filled every need we had, backup RB & maybe Jacobs replacement in 2027, TE2 and Musgrave replacement, and a swing Tackle/OG, with upgrade talent. Maybe Smack would have still been there. We will never know will we.
HarryHodag
May 06, 2026 at 10:34 am
78 more days until training camp, the time when real football can be discussed based on observation and not speculation.
Alberta_Packer
May 06, 2026 at 01:08 pm
Alas, speculation and hype are the key lubricants of the NFL business machine.
LeotisHarris
May 06, 2026 at 10:47 am
Steno's lack of self-reflection gives us a view of the culture I think many of us see from the outside. It's where MLF's "well, I have to be better" mantra comes from after a loss. Have to wonder what end of season interviews are like with these guys. Are there opportunities for self-evaluation and goals for improvement? If there are, seems Steno has gotten a pass.
I liked Achord, fwiw. Smart guy. As we know, it could be worse.
I hope Gannon is more than an illusion. Plenty of talent on that D, so we'll see.
Christ, Al, the nose hair shot! Drives me nuts with all the ways production teams feel the need to ruin a perfectly good football broadcast. The days of being able to enjoy watching the game, you know the one on the field, are long gone (now let's head down to the sidelines with Erin for the FanDuel First Quarter Update).
Since'61
May 06, 2026 at 01:34 pm
Leotis your last paragraph is among the reason I turn the sound while watching Packer games. I have not listened to a complete NFL broadcast since John Madden retired. If you listen to the current broadcasters you wouldn't even know that a football game was being played. Totally ridiculous! Thanks, Since '61
LeotisHarris
May 06, 2026 at 01:36 pm
I understand. The mute button is utilized in our home, too.
Bitternotsour
May 06, 2026 at 04:48 pm
Not one commentator allows the game to breathe. Collinsworth is the worst of the bunch, he just won't fucking shut up.
ricky
May 06, 2026 at 11:03 am
Stenavich was a very good OL coach. But as far as I can see, he is OC in name only. The real OC is LaFleur. And I'm still surprised that Butkus is the OL coach, even though there has been little or no improvement in that area for years. Add in that Stenavich thinks that Jaegar Burton would be best at center is not a comfortable thought. After all, thi s is the same group that claimed that Elgton Jenkins would be "All World" at center. Even Jenkins admitted he was a terrible fit there. Why should I believe them now?
Coldworld
May 06, 2026 at 11:29 am
Burton was better at C than G in college. My fear with him is that, while he’s athletic and a good guy, he’s not very physical and a finesse type player. At C that reminds me somewhat of Myers. Now his upside is higher but his run play is similarly limp and there is no nasty.
In general, he needs a lot more development than many here seem to think. Character and intelligence wise, he good, in fact Bleacher regarded Monk as his best pro comparative in part for that reason … as of today, that’s plausible, but with a much higher upside. If he’s getting play time this year though then I fear we have a lot of problems. Next year, maybe.
Oxymoron 3339
May 06, 2026 at 11:10 am
Kick it hard and straight and make the kicks you're expected to make.
Amen
the_gavia_pass
May 06, 2026 at 11:14 am
the reality Is packers world Is deeply depressed.
the organization has no strategy. One year ago they sent 2 First round picks to Dallas for parsons and now they had a depressing off season.
they signed everybody for 5 years and almost nobody knows "why???".
ed policy lacks charisma at all.
they also sent clear messages, the future of football in green bay Is not that easy and there could be a free fall.
I think there Is a big problem of leadership and that starts with the board members, they have no vision at all on the future.
Bitternotsour
May 06, 2026 at 12:06 pm
yeah, ok. sure.
JerseyAl
May 06, 2026 at 12:16 pm
The only thing that's depressing is your commentary. "everything sucks" pretty much sums it up.
the_gavia_pass
May 06, 2026 at 02:02 pm
at the end of the day reality is the winner. and I'm sorry but reality is on my side since 2011.
you know better than me that you are creating hype on nothing. That's your part.
When you had an interviews with ed policy here on this website, there were not a single one difficult question for Policy. even the matt lafleur 5 yrs contract was not under heavy discussion...and fans were and are furious about that. but Policy did not get any difficult question even about that.
16 yrs no SB.
you have no excuse jerseyal. 16 yrs.
John Schneider 15 yrs in Seattle out of green bay. 3 SB. the same amount packers organization has in 60 yrs.
it's time to make the board accountable. they failed. badly.
13TimeChamps
May 06, 2026 at 02:20 pm
Where is this 5 year contract extension coming from? I haven't seen one credible source confirming that, just that it's a multi-year extension, which could just as easily be a 2 or 3 year extension.
the_gavia_pass
May 06, 2026 at 04:24 pm
it's 5.
the franchise Is totally owned by fans and they are even ashamed to tell everybody they extended the front office for 5 yrs.
but it's 5 total from now.
ed policy told everybody there are no money.
top HC are earning 20 millions now. we pay lafleur 8-9.
they could go with a promising young coordinatore but...ben Johnson has 13 millions for 5 yrs.
and Policy has not enough charisma or balls to bet on a low cost outsider.
13TimeChamps
May 06, 2026 at 04:45 pm
Show me an actual credible link that says Lafleur is under contract to coach the Packers for the next 5 years. I'll wait.
Bitternotsour
May 06, 2026 at 04:51 pm
Yeah sure 13 timer, but 3+2 equals FIVE. And five is a prime number. If we could get that poster who analyzes games and contracts thru the Chinese calendar all these mysteries could be explained.
Well, all the mysteries save for how that bike rider isn't in an institution.
Alberta_Packer
May 06, 2026 at 12:43 pm
I believe that the LaFleur-Stenovich-Butkus trio are mainly responsible for creating the dog's dinner that was the O-line last season. So what is the improvement plan for this year? According to Stenovich - "hammering the fundamentals." In other words "we've got nothing." If we're looking for a weak link in this year's team - I would start with this coaching thread.
GregC
May 06, 2026 at 03:17 pm
The coaches made some questionable decisions that did not work out, but I don't think they had a lot of great options. The new center, Elgton Jenkins, was in decline due to age and missed most of training camp with injuries. Aaron Banks was hurt a lot and underperformed for much of the season. Given his level of experience, this was probably more on him than the coaching staff. Zach Tom missed about half the season, including the last several games, with injuries. Rasheed Walker regressed, but just like Banks, he was experienced, so it's hard to see how the coaches were responsible for that. Maybe they were in some way, but we just don't know. At any rate, the rest of the league agreed that he's just not a very good player, as evidenced by the contract he received in free agency.
The way the coaches handled Jordan Morgan and Anthony Belton was where they clearly went wrong. Most people agree that they stuck with Morgan too long at guard and did not train Belton in at that position soon enough. I agree, at least in hindsight, although I am still not convinced that Belton is significantly better than Morgan as a guard. I'm hoping he takes ahold of that position in year two and makes it his own, and I hope Morgan settles in at left tackle. Overall, the Packers have had above average offensive lines in most years recently, so I hope last year was an anomaly. Lots of hoping with the OL these days!
Alberta_Packer
May 06, 2026 at 05:32 pm
GC I am not in disagreement with any of your comments. Except that last year may have been an anomaly. Taking a little deeper dive and wider perspective on the O-line - I discovered that the Packers have seriously under-invested in the O-line over the last 5 years (except 2022). And even in this year's draft - only 1 O-lineman was selected (Burton) on Day 3. In addition the Packers have not been generally good with their limited selections. I present:
2025 - only 1 selection - John Williams (7th). Where's Williams?
2024 - Jordan Morgan (1) - Poster boy for mismanagement.
- Jacob Monk (5) - On his last try to make the roster
- Travis Glover (6) - When not injured - getting embarrassed (not entirely his fault)
2023 - 0 O-linemen drafted
2022 - Sean Rhyan (3) - still scuffling to be a regular
- Zach Tom (4) - Packers 1st winning lottery ticket.
- Rasheed Walker(7) - Packers 2nd winning lottery ticket. However somewhat
mismanaged last year.
2021 - J.Myers (2). - Ouch.
- Royce Newman (4) - Packers painfully hung on to him for too long.
- Cole Van Lanen (6) - Packers released him too soon. Now a solid and reliable
player with the Jaguars.
In short - neither the coaching staff nor the scouting staff have distinguished themselves in replenishing and developing the O-line in recent years. So the results should not be a total surprise.
GregC
May 06, 2026 at 09:54 pm
Hitting on Tom in the 4th round and Walker in the 7th round allowed them to under-invest in the OL to some extent. Normally you need to spend high draft picks to get good tackles. Also, Elgton Jenkins was good enough to earn a third contract.
This year's starting lineup does not look like an under-investment, however:
Jordan Morgan--1st round pick
Aaron Banks--highly paid former 2nd round pick
Sean Rhyan--3rd round pick
Anthony Belton--2nd round pick
Zach Tom--4th round pick, but one of the better tackles in the league, and paid accordingly
There is a steep dropoff between these guys and the backups, but that's life in the NFL. I don't think most teams have highly drafted O-linemen riding the bench. They really just need to play better. I don't know if the coaches are not getting the most out of them, or if they just are not as good as we want them to be.
Alberta_Packer
May 07, 2026 at 12:04 am
At first glance the O-line does look well invested. However with the exception of Tom - each of the other players have not performed commensurate with their draft position. They will have to this year if the Packers are to be SB contenders. That's a critical variable.
Coldworld
May 07, 2026 at 09:02 am
Williams turned out to be an anticipated medical redshirt, which is probably why he lasted till the 7th.
Glover was thrown in at guard with no preparation, having been practicing exclusively at T (his college position). It went about as well as one might expect. A year later we did the same to Belton and the reverse to Morgan.
I could go on, but the non-learning of lessons that should not have been necessary with an iota of forethought or actual sane preparation within the group is excruciatingly obvious. It serially repeated mid-judgements and poor planning.
The only guarantee is that it made all those players worse than they could have been based on their underlying ability. These kind of mistakes should have had consequences a long time ago. Even after last year they we are back with the same brains trust. It beggars the imagination and buries the pretense of accountability. Teams with such failings tend to blow opportunities. Sound familiar?
PhantomII
May 06, 2026 at 09:10 pm
Pretty sure Walker was worse due to his old LG gone and our bad ass TE Kraft gone a lot of the season...