2026 Roster Thread - Semi-Live

[tynimiller]

On one hand, it's nice to see us somewhat aggressively looking to address the problem. I wouldn't consider the "norm," typically we would likely soldier on with our in-house options and hope for the best. So while it's a shame it had to take a historically bad set of performances to spur them to action, it's nice to see the moves being made to address the obvious issue

With that said however it's still rather alarming how we got to this point? I remember in the offseason Gute talking about how pleased they were with the OL group and how we seemingly didn't feel any urgency to make any changes there. And heading into the season we knew that Banks and ZBB were dealing with lingering injuries but still went forward with the group we had.

So I guess the question for me is just like...did we really, honestly believe our group of OL we started the season with was going to be good enough? Or did we simply not know and just decided to take a leap of faith and give it a try?

It's just kind of a weird spot. If Zeitler ends up being a big help for us I guess you'd have to ask why it took until week 3+ to make that move, it's not like he just suddenly became available. If you think he is going to be a big help to our OL, why not sign him in the preseason/offseason? Why not sign him after watching an all-time bad OL showing in Week 1 even?

So don't get me wrong, I think it's the right move to make and should be helpful but it's just weird to me the course we've taken to get here. And of course I cannot help but notice that I haven't heard anything about making any changes to our coaching staff...

While I'd love to have a staff that holds that crystal ball...I doubt anyone suspected this much would occur. Banks not healthy enough to go, ZBB not just unhealthy but done...Monk, Jennings and Jager Burton don't seem to be a good or every above average option of a lineman presently....

Butkus minimum needs toasted.

 

[Pugger]

The video of Jacobs altercation was supposed to have been sent to the league office for them to view and give Josh his suspension. Sure seems like their dragging their feet. I'm not sure that we will see him at all this season at the rate they are going.

I thought he was already under suspension...?

 

[Magooch]

I thought he was already under suspension...?

Jacobs being on the commissioner's exempt list is basically paid leave. The league doesn't consider it a "suspension" because he's still collecting his regular pay.

If/when the league concludes their investigation THEN they will determine his suspension. It's important to note though that time on the commissioner's list is treated as "time served."

So for instance he has missed 3 games now. If the league decides he will get a 6 game suspension, he just has to miss 3 more. or if they take 3 more weeks to conclude their investigation and decide to stick with a 6 game suspension, he can return immediately since he'd have already missed all 6. The caveat is that since he's currently on paid leave he'd just have to pay back the salary for whichever games are retroactively considered "suspended" rather than "Exempt list"

I don't know that the league has possession of the footage yet, though? I haven't seen anything to that effect. I'm sure they've *requested* it but my understanding is that local PD has something like 10-12 days to process the request (and I don't think that necessarily guarantees they will be compelled to hand it over)

 

[Magooch]

I do also think, as much doom and gloom as there has been (and I am as guilty as any), it does remind me just how thin the differences between good and bad can be in the league

There are of course still some huge mental and/or coaching errors to be addressed...as many of these issues have also been present in the past. But for instance, we dominated the Vikings for the majority of that game, and they're currently looking like one of the strongest teams in the league. We had a close one against NYJ, but conditions were awful and we dealt with multiple serious injuries. And while the Falcons throttled us, it didn't start out that way...we looked to be in a strong position until a (IMO extremely soft) roughing call killed a good defensive drive for us and it pretty much snowballed from there. And of course this is all coming with some historically bad OL performances.

So I don't want to sugarcoat it because for large stretches we have looked downright terrible. But at the same time it feels that both losses have largely just been the result of a few things starting to snowball on us. If those mental errors and collapses get ironed out (and that's a HUGE "if" of course) the whole vibe for the season probably feels way different right now.

 

[DABIGZ]

While I'd love to have a staff that holds that crystal ball...I doubt anyone suspected this much would occur. Banks not healthy enough to go, ZBB not just unhealthy but done...Monk, Jennings and Jager Burton don't seem to be a good or every above average option of a lineman presently....

Butkus minimum needs toasted.

I'm asking this question not to be an A0hole, but to gauge on how people feel about Lafleur.

Say it's the Bye-week and Butkus, along with our O-line struggling with communication, assignments and technique, are still here... on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being "no, not all" and 10 being "Scorching hot"... how hot should Matt Lafleur's seat be?

 

[Magooch]

While I'd love to have a staff that holds that crystal ball...I doubt anyone suspected this much would occur. Banks not healthy enough to go, ZBB not just unhealthy but done...Monk, Jennings and Jager Burton don't seem to be a good or every above average option of a lineman presently....

Butkus minimum needs toasted.

I agree that you can't really account for those things (Banks seemingly never getting healthy consistently, ZBB blowing up his knee...sucks but it happens), but I guess my complaint is like... It feels like our preparation was basically hoping on the best-case scenario when IMO you SHOULD be planning for the worst-case scenario.

Like it feels like in the offseason we told ourselves "IF Banks and ZBB are healthy, and IF Morgan cements a role/position, and IF Belton improves, and IF Monk and Jennings take big step forwards and are a good fit for an outside zone scheme, and IF only adding Burton is enough to address our depth, then we're gonna be in great shape"

But IMO in reality we should've already been asking: what if Banks and ZBB's health issues linger? What if Monk and Jennings don't have what it takes after all? What if we still find ourselves bouncing around Morgan? Would just adding Burton be enough?

You know what they say...it's a cliche but it's kinda true: if you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail...

 

[DoURant]

Jayden Reed has been placed on IR

 

[gopkrs]

Cousins last contract before this year was a big 4 year deal with the Falcons. Right before that, it was originally a 3 year deal with the Queens that got a couple of extensions. where he did the 1 year deal was back with the Skins many moons ago.

Yeah, I guess there aren't many players that actually want a one year contract.

 

[gopkrs]

I agree that you can't really account for those things (Banks seemingly never getting healthy consistently, ZBB blowing up his knee...sucks but it happens), but I guess my complaint is like... It feels like our preparation was basically hoping on the best-case scenario when IMO you SHOULD be planning for the worst-case scenario.

Like it feels like in the offseason we told ourselves "IF Banks and ZBB are healthy, and IF Morgan cements a role/position, and IF Belton improves, and IF Monk and Jennings take big step forwards and are a good fit for an outside zone scheme, and IF only adding Burton is enough to address our depth, then we're gonna be in great shape"

But IMO in reality we should've already been asking: what if Banks and ZBB's health issues linger? What if Monk and Jennings don't have what it takes after all? What if we still find ourselves bouncing around Morgan? Would just adding Burton be enough?

You know what they say...it's a cliche but it's kinda true: if you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail...

And what if Banks and others just aren't very good.

 

[gopkrs]

Jayden Reed has been placed on IR

I see they brought a small quick guy onto the ps. Be awesome if he could be a possession receiver. Undrafted though and got cut.

 

[LaSeeno]

I am going to guess Reed does not play football again.

 

[tynimiller]

I'm asking this question not to be an A0hole, but to gauge on how people feel about Lafleur.

Say it's the Bye-week and Butkus, along with our O-line struggling with communication, assignments and technique, are still here... on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being "no, not all" and 10 being "Scorching hot"... how hot should Matt Lafleur's seat be?

The only hotness he should feel is pressure to change his freaking staff. One of the biggest issues I've had with MLF has never been his playcalling, his demeanor or even how capable I personally think he is. He is his own worst enemy. Overthinks playcalling...but the worst trait is VASTLY TOO LOYAL TO HIS OWN. He keeps guys on staff a year or two longer than he should...

 

[tynimiller]

I am going to guess Reed does not play football again.

I have some by extensino connections to his camp and I asked if this is a Nick Collins or similar type worry situation and they said no - he hasn't heard anyone speak that this is something long term to be worried about. If I learn more I'll share. Now that could very well be the case, a doctor even could have said zero reason to worry but then they get in there and something is different...I'm a praying man so for Jayden's sake I know I'll be praying.

 

[DABIGZ]

The only hotness he should feel is pressure to change his freaking staff. One of the biggest issues I've had with MLF has never been his playcalling, his demeanor or even how capable I personally think he is. He is his own worst enemy. Overthinks playcalling...but the worst trait is VASTLY TOO LOYAL TO HIS OWN. He keeps guys on staff a year or two longer than he should...

I think similarly to you about his pros, on how he's a good coach. But keeping staff that are obviously failing is going to be his downfall IMO...

 

[tynimiller]

I think similarly to you about his pros, on how he's a good coach. But keeping staff that are obviously failing is going to be his downfall IMO...

I think it very well may be.

 

[Voyageur]

I'm still not sure what to think.

The 5 who started against Atlanta aren't physically failing. The short comings are communication, technique, that kind of stuff. If we're signing old guys off the street, they're probably not going to commit as many mental errors, but if they're out of practice, they are at risk for the same kind of false steps, taking bad angles, etc.

I don't like to rag on coaches, but so much of this blame seems to start w/ Butkus.

If anyone has ever watched something like the June Taylor Dancers, you'd know that the objective is to have each dancer in the group take choreographed steps at the precise time that it's necessary to create the visual effect you want. In many respects, dancing on a stage isn't all that much different than playing on the offensive line in football when it comes to everyone being in sync, and each step choreographed to ensure that the entire line of dancers is doing precisely what is supposed to be done. Just one dancer not following through precisely makes a dance routine amateurish and really not ready for prime time.

Unless the choreographer, and in the case of the Packers, the offensive line coach, the offensive coordinator, and the head coach are all responsible for ensuring that every "dancer" on the Packers offensive line knows what their steps should be under any given circumstances. And like 66 said here, you start asking questions about how well Butkus and the other coaches are doing their job. Breakdowns on the offensive line doesn't necessarily mean the players aren't good enough. It often means the coaches aren't doing their job properly because some of the dancers aren't staying in step and that has to change.

 

[Poppa San]

I'm asking this question not to be an A0hole, but to gauge on how people feel about Lafleur.

Say it's the Bye-week and Butkus, along with our O-line struggling with communication, assignments and technique, are still here... on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being "no, not all" and 10 being "Scorching hot"... how hot should Matt Lafleur's seat be?

We already have multiple threads discussing the coaches and their competency. No need to hijack another unrelated thread.

 

[DABIGZ]

We already have multiple threads discussing the coaches and their competency. No need to hijack another unrelated thread.

Understood captain

 

[Pugger]

I am going to guess Reed does not play football again.

MLF was asked about this and said they do not believe this is career ending. We shall see...

 

[milani]

I do also think, as much doom and gloom as there has been (and I am as guilty as any), it does remind me just how thin the differences between good and bad can be in the league

There are of course still some huge mental and/or coaching errors to be addressed...as many of these issues have also been present in the past. But for instance, we dominated the Vikings for the majority of that game, and they're currently looking like one of the strongest teams in the league. We had a close one against NYJ, but conditions were awful and we dealt with multiple serious injuries. And while the Falcons throttled us, it didn't start out that way...we looked to be in a strong position until a (IMO extremely soft) roughing call killed a good defensive drive for us and it pretty much snowballed from there. And of course this is all coming with some historically bad OL performances.

So I don't want to sugarcoat it because for large stretches we have looked downright terrible. But at the same time it feels that both losses have largely just been the result of a few things starting to snowball on us. If those mental errors and collapses get ironed out (and that's a HUGE "if" of course) the whole vibe for the season probably feels way different right now.

We should have been able to ar least go to a shootout against Atlanta. Their defense is not one of the top ones. But it is clear that any opponent with a decent RB and a good offensive line will tear us apart on the ground. The Bears QB can be a 3rd stringer if he relies on the running game, a modern day Rex Grossman. Add to that, teams like the Falcons, Bucs, Bears, and Rams will use 2 and 3 tight ends to run it down our throat. It will be pound, pound, pound. And the NFL does not want that in a prime time game.

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

Wow zeitler too. $4-5mil.

That’s 3 very experienced veterans.

Have to admit I love the moves. The first two were damage control. Zeitler is a move that turns the ship in the right direction.

Cautiously optimistic.

 

[OldSchool101]

I like the optimism but until proven otherwise we should count Jacobs out. Remember, unless he's been doing so on his own, he hasn't been practicing the last few weeks. He's going to have to get back up to game speed

Count Jacobs out? You think he’s not doing workouts or something? I highly doubt this. Ok he could take 1 or 2 weeks to assimilate, but we’re talking a seasoned veteran RB, I highly doubt he’ll be out of shape. IMO, you’re underestimating Jacobs ability.

 

[OldSchool101]

I do also think, as much doom and gloom as there has been (and I am as guilty as any), it does remind me just how thin the differences between good and bad can be in the league

There are of course still some huge mental and/or coaching errors to be addressed...as many of these issues have also been present in the past. But for instance, we dominated the Vikings for the majority of that game, and they're currently looking like one of the strongest teams in the league. We had a close one against NYJ, but conditions were awful and we dealt with multiple serious injuries. And while the Falcons throttled us, it didn't start out that way...we looked to be in a strong position until a (IMO extremely soft) roughing call killed a good defensive drive for us and it pretty much snowballed from there. And of course this is all coming with some historically bad OL performances.

So I don't want to sugarcoat it because for large stretches we have looked downright terrible. But at the same time it feels that both losses have largely just been the result of a few things starting to snowball on us. If those mental errors and collapses get ironed out (and that's a HUGE "if" of course) the whole vibe for the season probably feels way different right now.

I agree 200%. I think the probability of us looking disjointed across 18 weeks or even 10 weeks is small. Especially now after we’ve signed 4 Veteran OL in 13 days.

I also suspect that once we Win another game things will start to relax on the loading 8 in the box snd rushing 5 or 6 regular. That might work for a minute but it’s a matter of time where it backfires for an overzealous Defense.

 

[OldSchool101]

Just found out the Zeitler contract is just $4M bass + $1M incentives. That’s a drop in the bucket for a chance at an upgrade. I’m plugging him at RG near immediately and getting him going some against Tampa.

It’ll be interesting to see if/when we insert another recent signing(s)

 

[tynimiller]

Just found out the Zeitler contract is just $4M bass + $1M incentives. That’s a drop in the bucket for a chance at an upgrade. I’m plugging him at RG near immediately and getting him going some against Tampa.

It’ll be interesting to see if/when we insert another recent signing(s)

I did not think it would be less than $8M honestly.