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Packers Training Camp Mailbag: Your Questions Answered Simply
Welcome to our breakdown of the latest Green Bay Packers mailbag! We’re taking fan questions about roster rules, player contracts, position battles, and stadium quirks—and explaining them like you’re five (ELI5). Let’s dive in!
Roster Rules: Waived/Injured vs. PUP List
Question from Gary (Cross Plains, WI): Why use "waived-injured" instead of putting a player on PUP? Can the team re-sign them later?
The Simple Explanation
Think of the NFL roster like a classroom with a strict 90-student limit during training camp.
| List Type | Who Qualifies | Counts Against 90-Man Limit? |
|---|---|---|
| PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) | Only players who haven’t practiced at all yet | Yes |
| IR (Injured Reserve) | Players who have practiced | Yes |
| Waived/Injured | Players who have practiced but are now hurt | No (after clearing waivers) |
Step-by-Step: What Happens When a Player is Waived/Injured
- Team cuts the player with an "injured" tag
- Other teams have 24 hours to claim him (almost never happens when hurt)
- Player reverts to original team’s IR — but doesn’t count against the 90-man limit
- Injury settlement usually follows (team pays player for expected recovery time)
- Team cannot re-sign him until 3 weeks after settlement ends
IMPORTANT POINT: This is a roster management trick! It lets teams free up a precious roster spot while still keeping rights to the player long-term.
Contract Talk: Tucker Kraft’s "Packer Forever" Comment
Question: Does saying he wants to be a Packer forever hurt his contract leverage?
The Answer: Nope!
- Saying "I love it here" "I’ll take less money"
- Players want security AND fair pay — they’re not mutually exclusive
- Agents actually use team loyalty as leverage: "He wants to stay, so pay him market value or he might test free agency later"
KEY TAKEAWAY: Public loyalty is just good PR. Real negotiations happen behind closed doors with spreadsheets, not sound bites.
Position Battles: Who Makes the Cut?
Defensive Line & Edge Rushers: "Too Many Good Players?"
Question: With all this young talent, who are the odd men out?
Answer: It’s way too early to tell!
- Zero preseason games played yet
- Coaches need live game reps to evaluate
- Roster spots decided by special teams value, scheme fit, and consistency — not just talent
REMEMBER: "Good problem to have" = depth creates competition = better team.
Kicker Situation: Do They Need a Second One?
Answer: Yes, coming soon!
- Currently have two long snappers (roster limit: 90)
- Once they cut to one long snapper, they’ll sign a second kicker
- Why? Preserve starter’s leg during heavy practice weeks
Kicking at Lambeau: Do They Practice There?
Answer: Yes!
- Regular season: Regularly practice inside Lambeau
- Training camp: Some sessions at Lambeau (besides Family Night)
- Why? Get used to wind patterns, lighting, and field conditions
The Wind Mystery: Lambeau vs. Practice Field
Question from Jim: Cam Achord says practice field gets 25 mph gusts while stadium is calm. But Mason Crosby talked about crazy wind inside Lambeau. Who’s right?
Both are right — they’re talking about different things!
| Location | Wind Behavior |
|---|---|
| Nitschke Field (Practice) | Open field → gusts hit freely, can reach 25+ mph |
| Lambeau Field (Stadium) | Bowl shape → wind swirls unpredictably South end zone higher → creates unique currents Generally less raw speed, but trickier patterns |
ELI5 ANALOGY: Practice field = standing in an open parking lot. Lambeau = standing in a swirling wind tunnel. Both are windy, but differently windy!
Cornerback Room: Starters & Depth
Can Cisse & St-Juste Start Week 1?
Answer: Possible, but unlikely.
- Both are new additions (St-Juste via trade, Cisse undrafted)
- Rookies/young players usually need time to learn complex NFL schemes
- Veterans Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes (when healthy) are the presumptive starters
Overall DB Assessment: "In Good Shape?"
Answer: Yes, significantly better than last year!
- Corner depth: "Better now than last year" — more bodies, more competition
- Safety room: "Most dynamic since LeRoy Butler, Eugene Robinson & Mike Prior" — high praise! That trio = 3 All-Pros, 12 Pro Bowls combined
Running Back: RB2 Battle Settled?
Question from Jonathan: Any standout for RB2 behind Josh Jacobs?
Answer: MarShawn Lloyd is RB2 — if healthy.
- No real "battle" right now — Lloyd is the clear #2
- Key phrase: "As long as he and Josh Jacobs are healthy and available"
- Health is the only question mark for the rookie
Special Teams: Penalties & Technique
Question from Bob: ST coach talked returners but not block-in-the-back/holding penalties. When do they fix this?
Answer: They work on it ALL THE TIME.
- Daily practice: Technique drills for blocking angles, hand placement
- Live drills & preseason games: Test techniques at game speed
- Film review: Coaches grade every rep — penalties get corrected immediately
INSIGHT: You don’t hear about it in press conferences because it’s routine, not newsworthy. But it’s happening every single day.
Hidden Gems: Anthony Campbell’s Shot
Question from John: Any UDFA with such a weak college resume make the roster before?
Answer: Yes! Two recent examples:
- Jack Coco (LS) — "Rather nondescript college career" → made roster as long snapper
- Tim Boyle (QB) — "Flat-out unimpressive college career" → made roster as backup QB
THE LESSON: "The Good Lord only made so many big guys" (Ted Thompson quote). Size + athleticism + work ethic > college production. Campbell is 6’6", 300+ lbs — you can’t teach that!
Summary
| Topic | Bottom Line |
|---|---|
| Waived/Injured vs PUP | Roster loophole: saves a spot, player eventually hits IR, team keeps rights (with delay) |
| Tucker Kraft Contract | Loyalty talk hometown discount; agents use it as leverage |
| DL/Edge Depth | Too early — need preseason games to decide |
| Second Kicker | Coming once long snapper spot clears |
| Lambeau Wind | Practice field = raw gusts; Stadium = swirling trickery |
| CB Starters | Alexander/Stokes favorites; new guys need time |
| DB Room Overall | Much improved — best safety room in decades |
| RB2 | MarShawn Lloyd (health permitting) |
| ST Penalties | Coached daily, evaluated in live action |
| UDFA Success | Happens more than you think (Coco, Boyle) |
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. What’s the difference between "waived" and "released"?
Waived = player has < 4 accrued seasons; goes through waivers (other teams can claim). Released = vested veteran (≥ 4 seasons); becomes free agent immediately. Both "injured" designations work the same way.
2. Can a player on IR ever play again that season?
Yes! Teams get 8 "IR-to-roster" activations per year. Player must be on IR for minimum 4 games, then can return to practice (21-day window) and be activated.
3. Why do teams carry two long snappers in camp?
Competition + insurance. Long snapping is hyper-specialized. If your only guy gets hurt, you’re in trouble. Two guys = one gets cut, one stays.
4. How much does wind actually affect kicks in Lambeau?
Huge factor. Kickers say Lambeau is top 3 hardest stadiums for kicking. The swirl makes aiming nearly impossible — you kick into the wind and hope it drifts back.
5. What makes a safety room "dynamic"?
Versatility! Modern safeties must: cover slot WRs, play deep centerfield, blitz, stop the run, and match up with TEs. "Dynamic" = multiple guys who can do all of the above.
Got more questions? Drop them in the comments! Training camp moves fast — we’ll keep breaking it down in plain English.