The Leap: Green Bay Packers newsletter

What Brian Gutekunst didn't say this week matters more than what he did Packers GM Brian Gutekunst tackled myriad subjects during his season-closing presser. However, he probably revealed more with what he didn't say than what he did.

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst tackled myriad subjects during his season-closing presser. However, he probably revealed more with what he didn't say than what he did.

I wrote about it for @theleap.bsky.social.

www.theleap.football/p/what-brian...

To clarify on some reporting that’s out there, the #Packers did not fire WRs coach Ryan Mahaffey, a source told @theleap.bsky.social

Sean Mannion wanted to bring Mahaffey to Philly and Green Bay allowed him to leave.

The team could have blocked the promotion but didn’t.

Unpacking the hire of Jonathan Gannon as Packers DC The Packers have hired a new DC, tabbing former Arizona head coach Jonathan Gannon to run their defense. The decision raises questions, and not only those about his past job performance.

The Packers have hired a new DC, tabbing former Arizona head coach Jonathan Gannon to run their defense. The decision raises questions, and not only those about his past job performance.

For @theleap.bsky.social: Unpacking the hire of Gannon as Green Bay DC

www.theleap.football/p/unpacking-...

Replacing Jeff Hafley: Which coaches have a path to the Packers' DC job After a successful two-year stint in Green Bay, Jeff Hafley has taken his talents to South Beach. Now, the Packers must identify his successor.

The Packers and Broncos defensive pass-game coordinator Jim Leonhard have "mutual interest," according to @rapsheet.bsky.social.

This echoes @theleap.bsky.social's reporting from earlier this week about Leonhard's candidacy for Green Bay's open DC position.

www.theleap.football/p/replacing-...

What we're hearing about Packers assistant coaches and the 2026 hiring cycle The Packers have a lot on the line over the next three games. For some of their assistant coaches, the upcoming weeks will hold additional significance.

Jeff Hafley (along with recent national reports) pointed directly toward a coach like Sean Duggan being his DC in Miami.

@byjbh.bsky.social
reported the Duggan bit more than a month ago for
@theleap.bsky.social

www.theleap.football/p/what-were-...

Christian Parker has reportedly landed the Cowboys' DC job, but the Packers still have plenty of candidates to consider as they search for Jeff Hafley's successor.

I wrote about Green Bay's DC search for @theleap.bsky.social 👇

Replacing Jeff Hafley: Which coaches have a path to the Packers' DC job After a successful two-year stint in Green Bay, Jeff Hafley has taken his talents to South Beach. Now, the Packers must identify his successor.

After a successful two-year stint in Green Bay, Jeff Hafley has taken his talents to South Beach. Now, the Packers must identify his successor.

For @theleap.bsky.social: What we've heard about the Packers DC search and which coaches have a path to the job

www.theleap.football/p/replacing-...

Jeff Hafley's departure kicks off offseason of change for Packers' coaching staff The Packers lost Jeff Hafley to the Dolphins on Monday. His departure won't be the only change to the coaching staff this offseason.

The Packers lost Jeff Hafley to the Dolphins on Monday. His exit won't be the only change to the coaching staff this offseason.

I wrote for @theleap.bsky.social about who could follow Hafley to Miami and what comes next for Green Bay.

www.theleap.football/p/jeff-hafle...

Reviewing the Packers' 2025 draft class in Year 1 With the Packers' 2025 season in the rearview mirror, how did the team's most recent draft picks stack up to their preseason expectations?

With the Green Bay's 2025 season in the rearview mirror, how did the team's most recent draft picks stack up to their preseason expectations?

For @theleap.bsky.social: Reviewing the Packers' 2025 draft class in Year 1

www.theleap.football/p/reviewing-...

A key figure in Jordan Love's development could leave within a year. How will the Packers replace him? Tom Clements will return as Jordan Love's position coach for 2024, but he also just turned 71. When Clements retires, the Packers will have a hard time picking a worthy successor.

A lot of people are learning about Nathan Scheelhaase for the first time this month, but readers of @theleap.bsky.social have had him on their radar for a while.

www.theleap.football/p/a-key-figu...

Packer HC Matt LaFleur mentioned multiple problems that weren't all on the players. As always, he accepted the blame for those, but that would seem to hint that staff changes are coming even if LaFleur returns.

I wrote about that this morning for @theleap.bsky.social 👇

The LaFleur question isn't the only one hanging over the Packers as the offseason begins The Packers' coaching staff won't look the same next season, and that's true whether they retain Matt LaFleur or not.

The Packers' coaching staff won't look the same next season, and that's true whether they retain Matt LaFleur or not.

For @theleap.bsky.social: The LaFleur question isn't the only one hanging over Green Bay as the offseason begins.

www.theleap.football/p/the-lafleu...

The 3 questions that will determine the outcome of Packers vs. Bears The Packers and Bears will meet for the third time in the playoffs. The outcome of this "rubber match" will likely hinge on just a few key factors.

The Packers and Bears will meet for the third time in the playoffs. The outcome of this "rubber match" will likely hinge on just a few key factors.

For @theleap.bsky.social: The 3 questions that will determine the outcome of Green Bay vs. Chicago

www.theleap.football/p/the-3-ques...

The Packers passed on chance to hire lifelong fan as head coach. He went on to help Georgia win back-to-back national titles. Georgia OC Todd Monken grew up a Packers fan and nearly landed their head-coaching position four years ago. Instead, he helped the Bulldogs win back-to-back championships.

Todd Monken is likely now a free agent OC.

Back in 2023, Monken told @byjbh.bsky.social he believed he HAD the #Packers HC job before Matt LaFleur was hired.

www.theleap.football/p/the-packer...

What did the Packers' rookie defensive ends show in Sunday's de facto exhibition? This past Sunday, Barryn Sorrell saw his most extensive workload to date, while Collin Oliver made his NFL debut.

Last Sunday, Barryn Sorrell saw his most extensive workload to date, while Collin Oliver made his NFL debut. For a Packers defense in need of pass rushers, their play holds increased importance.

For @theleap.bsky.social: What did the two rookies show in Minnesota?

I should have clarified:

The Packers signed UDFA Prospectus™ legend Messiah Swinson to the practice squad.

www.theleap.football/p/2024-udfa-...

If the Packers rest starters in Week 18, they can at least get weird If, as expected, the Packers sit their starters on Sunday, they should use the de facto exhibition as an opportunity to experiment with certain players.

If, as expected, Green Bay sits its starters on Sunday, the coaching staff should use the de facto exhibition as an opportunity to experiment with certain players.

For @theleap.bsky.social: If the Packers rest starters in Week 18, they can at least get weird.

Putting Malik Willis' performance against the Ravens in context On Saturday, Malik Willis delivered the best game of his career to date. But for as impressive as he played, his outlook for 2026 remains largely unchanged.

On Saturday, Malik Willis delivered the best game of his career to date. But for as impressive as he played, his outlook for 2026 remains largely unchanged.

For @theleap.bsky.social: Putting Willis' performance against the Ravens in context

These are the Packers' best paths to Super Bowl LX (and they're not easy) No matter how things break, the Packers face an uphill battle to reach Super Bowl LX. Still, some playoff scenarios offer more challenges than others.

No matter how things break, the Packers face an uphill battle to reach Super Bowl LX. Still, some playoff scenarios offer more challenges than others.

For @theleap.bsky.social: These are Green Bay's best paths to the Super Bowl (and they're not easy).

The Packers' special-teams problems are bigger than Rich Bisaccia The Packers would probably benefit from a new special-teams coordinator. However, the organization imposes restrictions on itself that make such changes more complicated.

The Packers would probably benefit from a new special-teams coordinator. However, the organization imposes restrictions on itself that make such changes more complicated.

For @theleap.bsky.social: Green Bay's special-teams problems are bigger than Rich Bisaccia.

I wrote for @theleap.bsky.social about Collin Oliver's outlook in 2025 and beyond 👇

www.theleap.football/p/what-can-p...

Packers' injuries require coaching staff to find creative solutions The Packers' injury reports have resembled CVS receipts for much of the 2025 season, but this week presents a heightened challenge on the health front.

It sounds like the Packers will start Jordan Morgan, not Darian Kinnard, at right tackle in place of the inactive Zach Tom.

Readers of @theleap.bsky.social already expected this.

www.theleap.football/p/packers-in...

What we're hearing about Packers assistant coaches and the 2026 hiring cycle The Packers have a lot on the line over the next three games. For some of their assistant coaches, the upcoming weeks will hold additional significance.

The Packers have a lot on the line over the next three games. For some of their assistant coaches, the upcoming weeks will hold additional significance.

For @theleap.bsky.social: What we're hearing about Green Bay's assistants and the 2026 hiring cycle

Packers' injuries require coaching staff to find creative solutions The Packers' injury reports have resembled CVS receipts for much of the 2025 season, but this week presents a heightened challenge on the health front.

The Packers' injury reports have resembled CVS receipts for much of the 2025 season, but this week presents a heightened challenge on the health front.

For @theleap.bsky.social: Green Bay's injuries require the coaching staff to find creative solutions.

What's left for the Packers after Micah Parsons' season-altering injury? The Packers lost more than just a game in Denver. Now, their entire season hangs by a thread.

The Packers lost more than just a game in Denver. Now, their entire season hangs by a thread.

For @theleap.bsky.social: What's left for Green Bay after Micah Parsons' season-altering injury?

https://www.theleap.football/p/whats-left-for-the-packers-after

This is the Christian Watson that the Packers have waited for Less than a year after tearing an ACL, Christian Watson has emerged as the best version of himself to date and rewarded the Packers handsomely in the process.

Less than a year after tearing an ACL, Christian Watson has emerged as the best version of himself to date and rewarded the Packers handsomely in the process.

For @theleap.bsky.social: This is the Christian Watson that Green Bay has waited for.

A revamped Packers offensive line faces its biggest test since the Browns with Denver's havoc defense The last time Green Bay faced a pass rush this ferocious, Jordan Love had one of the worst games of his season and pass protection was a driving factor. They can't have a repeat performance.

The Broncos defense, particularly their pass rush, is the toughest test the Packers will have faced since the Browns game.

Why it can be different this time around.

www.theleap.football/p/a-revamped...

The Packers have no one left to fear in the NFC Reasonable minds can differ about the NFC's best team. But with little separating those at the top of the conference, the Packers should feel good about their chances against anyone.

Reasonable minds can differ about the NFC's best team. But with little separating those at the top of the conference, the Packers should feel good about their chances against anyone.

For @theleap.bsky.social: Green Bay has no one left to fear in the NFC.

The Packers have officially activated Jayden Reed from IR.

He'll make his return against the Bears tomorrow.

What can Packers expect from players nearing return from IR or PUP? The Packers have designated several players to come off either IR or the PUP list. Some could contribute as soon as this Sunday. Others might not see action this season.

The Packers have designated several players to come off either IR or the PUP list. Some could contribute as soon as this Sunday. Others might not see action this season.

For @theleap.bsky.social: What can Green Bay expect from the players pushing to return?