NFC North 2025

[Pokerbrat2000]

I don't think their reasoning was flawed. Every veteran has flourished in KOC's system, so they figured have another veteran backup in Wentz was a solid option to McCarthy.

Your statement actually proves my point.

My point was that a 14-3 team shouldn't hand the ball over to an unproven 22 year old "rookie" QB, that hasn't played a snap in the NFL and wasn't really all that highly regarded coming out of college by some.

I'm not debating KOC's system with a Veteran QB, I am debating handing the reins of that 14-3 team over to McCarthy to start the season.

If Wentz doesn't get hurt, does JJ get his starting job back this season? I don't think so, unless Wentz suddenly is a failure at QB.

 

[gopkrs]

And Wentz has not been very good for a long time now.

 

[OldSchool101]

There’s a couple of players I would consider trading.

Nate Hobbs. While I can appreciate wanting to make a FA transaction work, GB has several options on board for a Slot CB. Hobbs would free up $9m in 2026. The Packers could either work a player for player trade… or ask for a late Day 3 selection. I think if Hobbs remains intact in the Slot he’s a valuable contributor, but the Packers are flush with options of guys who play there but thin at boundary CB. If he wants to switch outside? he likely needs a year to transition. Ideally GB would then use the Cap savings or later draft pick to put towards a known veteran quantity at CB. With Hobbs Id strongly consider cutting my losses now and going after veteran, perimeter CB. Worst case is a new addition takes over for Nixon and Nixon is a versatile slot CB that can double outside in a pinch.

Kingsley Enagbare. This has nothing to do with personal feelings and everything to do with business decision. Enagbare is a valuable 3rd rotating Edge in the mold of our former Fackrell. He needs a home to eventually compete for a starting position. If GB can get between a 5th-6th draft pick area now in 2026 they should strongly consider a trade outside our Division. We should see more comp picks in 2027 for departing FA’s so let’s stock the shelf for the 2026 draft with some nice mid Day 3 choices.
Also even if we just grab a draft pick GB has Colin Oliver nearing a return and will need to make room for him. Plus Cox Jr in the shadows as a value contract $ rising star for 2026 (season ending IR)

 

[Firethorn1001]

I haven't heard anything about Cox Jr being out for the season. On IR sure, but nothing definitive that he is out the entire season.

 

[shockerx]

Reguarding K. Enagbare, those foot injuries are very tricky, have we any idea to what LVN is dealing with. have not heard any updates.

 

[tynimiller]

I haven't heard anything about Cox Jr being out for the season. On IR sure, but nothing definitive that he is out the entire season.

Same here.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Nate Hobbs. While I can appreciate wanting to make a FA transaction work, GB has several options on board for a Slot CB. Hobbs would free up $9m in 2026. The Packers could either work a player for player trade… or ask for a late Day 3 selection. I think if Hobbs remains intact in the Slot he’s a valuable contributor, but the Packers are flush with options of guys who play there but thin at boundary CB. If he wants to switch outside? he likely needs a year to transition. Ideally GB would then use the Cap savings or later draft pick to put towards a known veteran quantity at CB. With Hobbs Id strongly consider cutting my losses now and going after veteran, perimeter CB. Worst case is a new addition takes over for Nixon and Nixon is a versatile slot CB that can double outside in a pinch.

Hate to say it, but nobody is going to take on Hobbs and his contract in a trade. Not to mention that doing so right now comes at some nasty costs for the Packers. The dead cap cost of doing this would be an additional $10M+ this season. Then you lose CB depth, which sadly, we already don't have. Nixon is dead weight in my book, Hobbs isn't.

If you want Hobbs off the books, then you cut him after the season, split up the dead cap and find his replacement in Free agency or the draft. Right now isn't the time of year that a Super Bowl contender should be considering trading starters for day 3 picks, the Packers should be doing just the opposite IMO.

 

[tynimiller]

Hate to say it, but nobody is going to take on Hobbs and his contract in a trade. Not to mention that doing so right now comes at some nasty costs for the Packers. The dead cap cost of doing this would be an additional $10M+ this season. Then you lose CB depth, which sadly, we already don't have. Nixon is dead weight in my book, Hobbs isn't.

If you want Hobbs off the books, then you cut him after the season, split up the dead cap and find his replacement in Free agency or the draft. Right now isn't the time of year that a Super Bowl contender should be considering trading starters for day 3 picks, the Packers should be doing just the opposite IMO.

Eh....Hobbs contract not tied to all that GB eats isn't a bad fiscal deal for a CB3. It's crazy the amount of actual signed FAs Gute appears to finally have his luck run out on Hobbs.

 

[Voyageur]

Eh....Hobbs contract not tied to all that GB eats isn't a bad fiscal deal for a CB3. It's crazy the amount of actual signed FAs Gute appears to finally have his luck run out on Hobbs.

The dead cap on Hobbs is staggering. It's $12 mill starting in 2026 and drops $4 mill each year. So three years @$4 mill each.

I think Hafely is going to have to find a way to make this guy work in his system. Way too much invested to dump him.

 

[gopkrs]

Bullard is playing well. But maybe there are situations when Hobbs can play in the middle. Like 3rd and long. Take out a linebacker.

 

[tynimiller]

The dead cap on Hobbs is staggering. It's $12 mill starting in 2026 and drops $4 mill each year. So three years @$4 mill each.

I think Hafely is going to have to find a way to make this guy work in his system. Way too much invested to dump him.

Bullard makes his use for us to me solely as depth and first one up outside or slot.

 

[OldSchool101]

Hate to say it, but nobody is going to take on Hobbs and his contract in a trade. Not to mention that doing so right now comes at some nasty costs for the Packers. The dead cap cost of doing this would be an additional $10M+ this season. Then you lose CB depth, which sadly, we already don't have. Nixon is dead weight in my book, Hobbs isn't.

If you want Hobbs off the books, then you cut him after the season, split up the dead cap and find his replacement in Free agency or the draft. Right now isn't the time of year that a Super Bowl contender should be considering trading starters for day 3 picks, the Packers should be doing just the opposite IMO.

imo Hobbs has been terrible investment. He’s ideally suited for the Slot, but we’re obviously not benching Bullard. This was a terrible investment and Holding onto a terrible investment won’t increase its worth by hoping he might play one day. Best case if it’s SB year is to trade him for a Boundary CB. Hobbs is not cheap $$. He’s certainly too much to spend for a guy hoping to see the field at some point.

Bullard isn’t going anywhere. Move on and get a the boundary Corner we wanted but struck out.

 

[OldSchool101]

Bullard is playing well. But maybe there are situations when Hobbs can play in the middle. Like 3rd and long. Take out a linebacker.

It’s certainly a good suggestion. At least you recognize we’re paying a guy to do little to nothing instead of throwing our hands in the air and hoping he can find his way off the bench. This was probably the worst financial move Brian made this offseason. We have like 3-4 guys that if needed could play Slot. Our best case is we find some other role and discontinue paying millions to a guy to be a spectator or relegated to Teams.

This is our only opportunity to ditch him and put emphasis towards an actual need (like Boundary CB) instead of trying to ignore the fact we’re lopsided at CB. We really shouldn’t wait to see if we’re ok with Nixon and Valentine. We’re 1 injury away from a total unknown at boundary CB. Gute is normally pretty smart with these Personnel moves maybe he’s got a strategy. We will see shortly.

 

[milani]

They really haven't left themselves any other choice. I guess if they trade for Cousins, that would be an another option. But yeah, at this point, they might just have to throw McCarthy back in the fire and use the remainder of the season to see if they actually have a franchise QB with him.

Of course, Teddy Bridgewater is a back up for Tampa. He was popular in Minnesota.

 

[milani]

Evey time I look at the standings, that stupid Browns loss feels like a kick to the balls.

It was. Everyone boasts about that defense. But the Browns are pathetic. I could see possibly losing a game to any of 4 other opponents we played. But not Cleveland.

 

[milani]

Just a bizarre decision by the Visqueens. You come off a 14-3 season, you don't resign the QB that got you there. Then, an even better option, Aaron Rodgers, says he'll play for you at a discount and you tell him "Nah Bro, we are going with the kid, the 22 year old guy that is coming off a year long injury and hasn't played a snap in the NFL."

No wonder Justin Jefferson was visibly upset in their last game. This franchise is just marred in bad decisions.

Today I see that Wentz apparently suffered his torn labrum and fractured socket 2 1/2 games ago and was trying to give it his all and gut it out. I mean come on Zygi, I'm the opposite of a Vikings fan, and I am pissed at you for being so cheap. Why didn't you go out and trade for a veteran QB? Or heck, sign a FA one like Desmond Ridder who knows your playbook. Even C.J. Beathard or Taylor Heinicke would have been a better option then pushing Wentz out on the field with one and a half arms.

Sorry @Raptorman, but your Vikings just make me scratch my head and I absolutely LOVE it!

Wentz' career may be over. If it was the right shoulder we knew it would be.

 

[OldSchool101]

Wentz' career may be over. If it was the right shoulder we knew it would be.

Yes. I still can’t believe they repeatedly made Wentz play like that. He was in some serious pain just lying there. He couldn’t even throw a pass without his non throwing arm aching so much.
Frankly, I was shocked everyone just kinda stood there and watched him. The Defenders looked more concerned for Wentz than his own staff.

I understand timeouts are valuable. In that game after an injury timeout I’d burn a timeout and evaluate him and just have JJ hand the ball off for a couple snaps if needed. Very little concern for a league that touts player Safety

 

[milani]

Yes. I still can’t believe they repeatedly made Wentz play like that. He was in some serious pain just lying there. He couldn’t even throw a pass without his non throwing arm aching so much.
Frankly, I was shocked everyone just kinda stood there and watched him. The Defenders looked more concerned for Wentz than his own staff.

The difference among different organizations. The Packers would have started a 3rd stringer if they had to do it. And then signed someone like Flynn back in 2013. The Viking organization is under a lot of media and fan pressure to win that it is no longer willing to bite the bullet. Cousins goes to Atlanta. JJ gets hurt 2 years in a row. Wentz gets torn up. You have a solid defense, the top wideout in the game, and you won 14 last year. And you stand there watching the Bears rise, the Packers develop, and the Lions rule the Jungle. I can hear Paul Allen all week.

 

[OldSchool101]

The difference among different organizations. The Packers would have started a 3rd stringer if they had to do it. And then signed someone like Flynn back in 2013. The Viking organization is under a lot of media and fan pressure to win that it is no longer willing to bite the bullet. Cousins goes to Atlanta. JJ gets hurt 2 years in a row. Wentz gets torn up. You have a solid defense, the top wideout in the game, and you won 14 last year. And you stand there watching the Bears rise, the Packers develop, and the Lions rule the Jungle. I can hear Paul Allen all week.

The Vikings are in a critical position for sure. I mean maybe trade for Flacco!
I say that being funny but gosh if they could get him? I’d actually do it. I doubt he gets traded again looks like Bengals actually are in a weak division likely needing 9-10 Wins to take 1st place. They’re winning with a backup QB give them credit I guess.

So sorry but glad for GB. The North looks like we thought it might.
Lions vs GB

 

[Voyageur]

The culture within an organization shows up at critical times like this, when Wentz was injured. Where it all goes in Minnesota right now is up in the air. It obviously isn't going to shake out well with the players when you consider how they handled the Wentz situation. How can you feel that they have your back if you get hurt?

Right now, I wouldn't be looking for houses to buy if I was a Vikings coach, or in the front office.

 

[gopkrs]

A viking fan, I think, criticized me for saying the minihaha coach might not be around long if his guesses at QB were bad. He said once minihaha signs a coach, it's for a long time. We'll see. Though I would guess it was a collaborative decision. Wentz was never going to be an answer. They have placed most of their marbles on JJ. And that was not a good bet imho. But hey, they have a couple more years to let him mature.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Of course, Teddy Bridgewater is a back up for Tampa. He was popular in Minnesota.

Yes, there are some options out there, but it takes QB's some time to get up to speed with the playbook and develop chemistry with the offense. Bridgewater was a Viking I think 8 seasons ago. I doubt there is anyone on the team that he even knows very well, including the coaching staff.

Watching Rodgers on Sunday night told me that he still has a decent arm and great command of the game. Had the Vikings signed Rodgers, and he stayed healthy, I think the Vikings are a top team in the NFC.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

imo Hobbs has been terrible investment. He’s ideally suited for the Slot, but we’re obviously not benching Bullard. This was a terrible investment and Holding onto a terrible investment won’t increase its worth by hoping he might play one day. Best case if it’s SB year is to trade him for a Boundary CB. Hobbs is not cheap $$. He’s certainly too much to spend for a guy hoping to see the field at some point.

Bullard isn’t going anywhere. Move on and get a the boundary Corner we wanted but struck out.

Both Hobbs and Banks appear to be real whiffs by Gute, at least so far. I think it is still too early to throw in the towel on either. I also think that we will see better play out of both of them as they settle into their roles.

 

[tynimiller]

Both Hobbs and Banks appear to be real whiffs by Gute, at least so far. I think it is still too early to throw in the towel on either. I also think that we will see better play out of both of them as they settle into their roles.

Banks is not a whiff.

Hobbs, albeit still literally not even halfway through first year, is trending to be the first FA signing of Gutes time (actual big contract) to not come in and deliver starting role.

 

[OldSchool101]

Both Hobbs and Banks appear to be real whiffs by Gute, at least so far. I think it is still too early to throw in the towel on either. I also think that we will see better play out of both of them as they settle into their roles.

True I didn’t think about Banks. He did miss a little time but so far it’s not been promising. We potentially have 30mil yearly on a couple of guys that put together don’t form a good starter.

My gut is that Banks will settle in as the year develops. We seem to regularly develop OL, so it’s possible he might just require 10 games or so in season.

Hobbs has a good camp but he’s fallen off hard.