Glad they moved on from Barry! Get a better kicker and get somebody in there that can help with all the soft tissue injuries! Now lets draft some football players not projects!!!

The Packers moved with surprising alacrity in their efforts to improve the team. No diddling around and procrastinating, which shows they are very serious. I wouldn't be surprised if MLF received a little tush push from the front office to get him over the hump with Barry, and the decision was probably made a while ago.

Whoever the new DC is, he had either be an expert at coaching the secondary or bring along an assistant that is. I believe we have one safety under contract, a star CB with bad shoulders, and another who has hardly played in a season and a half. We should be investing heavily in DBs in the draft, as well as maybe signing someone in FA, so this collective unit is going to need some serious coaching.

Aaron Jones and P. Smith are going to be very difficult decisions, but the other two mentioned should not be at all; goodbye. Jones and Smith have both been very productive Packers and I'd hate to see either one of them go, but we'll see what happens.

I would've liked to have seen LaFleur move on from Joe Barry after last season, but maybe it will work out better to get a new DC this year. The QB transition has successfully been completed, and Green Bay now looks like a very attractive place for a DC to make a name for himself. Much more than it was a year ago. There will be a lot of pressure, but that goes with the territory.

I don't see Bakhtiari being a difficult decision. He played one game in 2021, 11 in 2022, and one game this season. He is also scheduled to make about $40 million next year. If he is cut before June 1, there would be about $19 million in dead cap, but a cap savings of about $21 million. Trading him is also an option, but unless the Packers were willing to pay part of his salary, and make any draft pick contingent on his playing time, I don't see it happening. He was a terrific player before the freak injury. At this point, it seems the team would be better off cutting ties with him. As far as Jones, reworking his contract would make sense. But only if the deal were "team friendly".

Bravo to LeFleur who I've beaten like and ol mule on this board at times. He saw the light got rid of Barry and moved to find kicking competition so things are looking up.
In reality, he has seen the rise of the Lions who are also young, and aren't going away soon, The Bears going to be vastly improved with lots of new guys but guys with skills, the Vikes with a rejuvenated cousins and it position to draft one of the best DE coming out to pair with Daniels. He cant sit on his laurels, he must improve this team also and fill gaps on D and make changes to keep up with the Jones as they say and he is doing it.

"For the season, Carlson demonstrated he has a very strong leg, but he also showed he was very inconsistent."

"But the Packers also won’t just count of that improvement. On Wednesday, GM Brian Gutekunst signed former Georgia kicker Jack Podlesny to compete with Carlson in minicamp.... ...he was the SEC’s Special Teams Player of the Year in 2022 after kicking 26-of-31 field goals and 73-of-74 PATs."

I have 2 questions for you Gil.
1. How would you evaluated Packers LS for this, past season? And, does LS & holder have any influence on kickers precision/consistency?

2. Do you check data about Jack Podlesny in detail? If you do what was his percentage of succesful kicks from 40-49 yards? You might be surprise to find out that Carlson is better in that range than Podlesny...

Thank you on your answer...

Action solves indecision, postponement and dread. In the past, managerial inaction and procrastination have cost the Packers dearly. All of which we have seen and experienced this season - with the spectacular ascension of Love and the team - could have been possible last year - had there been more dynamic and prescient management. Nevertheless, better to have learned late than not at all.

Perhaps LaFleur was nudged, as it’s rumored he was with Bissacia. Perhaps it’s now dawning on him that he has to strive to be better throughout his coaching structure. Who he appoints and what that leads to in terms of retooling personnel and philosophies—all we may have done insight to in winter—will soon tell us much more.

As to the atmosphere, the real excitement is the youth, talent and bonding wise as a unit and with Love. Love looks like he could be a leader into the 2030s, early still, but there are tangible signs that this a plausible hope. The WRs and TEs look like we have a great core for the O. And now we should have a new vision to frame Gute’s draft ammunition on D in a draft that probably goes heavily that way. Let’s hope he drafts well and for the right defensive mind.

The right new D could have me enjoying the D like the days of Collins and Woodson again. It’s been a long time. Maybe a few players will emerge under a new leader and usage. A lot to be excited about.

Now let’s see who we pick as DC and who we let him bring with him. Touch wood this isn’t just changing the face but an influx of ideas and expertise capable of reassessing and elevating.

I was happy the Packers moved on from Gizzi. The author mentioned Watson and Jones, but left out Stokes who basically missed the entire season due to hamstring issues. The Packers need all three of those players available and not sitting on the sideline with perpetually pulled muscles.

Good presentation, Gil, about exciting times for Green Bay.
As put forth, the Packers have to seize this opportunity by seeking the best person for every coaching and playing position.
That's not only about statistics, but also about character, and combining individuals into a real team.
That's why a guy like Aaron Jones is so integral, for his dynamic skills plus his excellent character.
Preston Smith may be worth keeping for similar reasons.
***
It's hard to see coaches and players go, and decisions to move on from anyone with a good measure of character and good will should not be taken lightly.
At the same time, we can't keep everyone on the team forever due to age and salary and a reasonable desire to upgrade in any position for the good of everyone involved with the team.
I'd like there to be a symbiosis between the players and the management, as well as between the players and the fans, in which the players find that if they give themselves generously to the Green Bay Packers, they will get plenty back in return as far as respect and appreciation and opportunity.
***
In summary, I'd like the Packers to be known for two complementary things that are keys to winning:
(1) Smart management always striving to get better.
(2) Caring management in which players and coaches (and all staff) are genuinely treated as persons of importance.
If Green Bay is seen by players as a premier destination where the standards are high but also the treatment of them is fair and favorable, then I'm hopeful the Packers will win a couple of Super Bowls before 2030.

go get a young up and coming DC like Minter (who's probably going to Chargers) not some retread like that Dink Wertidale guy...

Any DC who gets the most out of his players and can make per game and in game adjustments is what we need. Experience with DBs would be a huge bonus. I actually think Wink would be a good choice for us, but I would prefer a really good younger coach. Evero would be #1 but I don't see more than a 10% chance. Carolina has him under contract and other teams want him as a HC.

I would offer the ex Wisconsin guy again, Jim Leonard. Younger, proven winner, and great with DBs. Offer him big $$$ and force him to make a decision.

"Less Than a Week into the Offseason, We Already See a Different Attitude in Green Bay"

There definitely is a different attitude right now in GB. Last year LaFleur decided to keep his coaches all intact. I remember during his press conference right after the season, he immediately said that the coaches would be back. He didn't hesitate or say that he was going to review things. They were just coming back. Which most of us felt Barry needed to go a year ago. Now I understood why LaFleur kept him. But it was a flawed decision. They were wanting to run it back. Regardless of the why, he was retained and it was obviously a bad decision.

So from last year to this year there is already a new attitude, a new mindset. That attitude is that good is not good enough. That we demand more from this team then what we got.

We don't know who will lead our defense yet, but they will be walking into a great situation. And they will no doubt be bringing a new attitude to the defense.

I too like the aggressiveness the Packers are taking. The fact they are immediately jumping to make these changes is promising. I have repeatedly been stressing the Packers need top draft choices to select big bodies in the trenches on both defense and offense. I am also well aware of the need for Safeties and a CB, as well as an Aaron Jones clone at RB. However, I am especially concerned with our Edge/Linebackers going into the offseason.

Both Preston and Campbell are over 30 years old and Campbell has not been playing very well. Engabare will almost miss the whole 2024 season due to injury. Back-up Wilson and McDuffie both are free agents. I do not believe we can overlook this area come draft time and how the Packers prioritize these positions in the draft will be interesting to watch. We should have a much better idea leading up to the draft about how the Packers might prioritize the Edge/Linebackers by watching to see who has resigned, and who has been let go.

The draft = is my favorite time of year for Packer football! Just last night on Netflix I once again watched the movie 'The Draft' with Kevin Costner as the Cleveland Browns GM during the 2014 draft. Great show!

Nice article, Gil.
The Headline says it all, there's a whole new attitude and perception now.
I think Barry's firing was the spark that set the fire, we've got more hope now.
As for the reasoning behind it, there's a lot of ideas in today's comments and who knows what the answer is?
Did MLF finally figure out that if he didn't win sooner rather than later it would be his ass and not Barry's on the chopping block? I'm thinking maybe Bissaccia whispered in his ear about that. He knows.
Did 'management' give him an ultimatum? I doubt Murphy even knew what was happening, he's too bust playing Real Estate mogul and Golf course manager. Put him on the bus with Barry! And Gutey? My understanding is that he still wears the handcuffs Murphy installed in what, 2017 or 2018 when he was given the position?
Whatever happened to send Barry down the road I'm just glad it did.
Lets hope LaFleur doesn't sit on his hands until all the good DC's are gone. I'm kinda a hoping for young blood vs a retread.
I'd love to see or hear about some interviews or a short list.

If we hire Wink Martindale, does that mean he has to quit his gig as a game show host?

The Packers are still a quagmire of confusion.
Barry did help get them to the playoffs.
The STs had their troubles even with a great coach.
Jordan Love’s 1st year might be a phenomenon.
Is a rookie going to play better than Savage?.
The rift between the Packers and Alexander.
Not to mention the out burst from Campbell.
The answer should have come from the veterans.
Re-Load or Re-Build. Who's hungry?

I'm kind of curious as to why we needed a new attitude. I mean, a year ago, look where we were: We had just missed the playoffs, we were in a very difficult salary cap situation, and it was time to break up with Aaron Rodgers. I was hearing the front office described as "clown show", incompetents, stooges, or even evil people bent on destroying the Packers.

Now, we have a younger, better QB, an improved offense, an improved salary cap situation, two extra picks on Day 2 of the draft, we made the playoffs and showed we belonged on the field with the best teams in the NFC.

It seems to me the old attitude, whatever that was, is doing just fine.

No question these moves by the Packers to fire Barry and bring in another kicker to compete sends a clear message that this organization understands that they are not the 3 year rebuild that was the plan before the season
IMO, because Jordan Love's rapid growth, the emergence of these young WRs and TEs and the playoff run they made THIS season. This team is now clearly competing for SB appearances NOW and for the next several years. As a result, we see a more decisive and aggressive approach towards the direction and expectations this team has.
The rebuild narrative has now become what additions and subtractions must be made to put this team on the brink of a SB !!
How exciting are we fans to go along this ride. It's so easy to root for this team. You can sense the togetherness and closeness these players and coaches have for one another. It was missing the last couple years but so happy that feeling is back again!!!
GPG!!!

I like it! Attend to urgent change urgently! No more procrastination please. We have a good young nucleus. Let's not fritter the seasons away like we did with Rodgers! GPG

The only position group that needs rebuilt now is Safety. we need 2 in the draft and a good FA. Trade back to late first or early second and select Tyler Nubin, Kinchens, or Bullard. One of the top 3 with our first pick and then another mid draft, Ball hawks and good tacklers. Plus extra picks for trading back.

A couple of IOL to strengthen them. One in the 2nd and one in the 4th. Cooper Beebe, Zac Zinter, or Van Pran-Georgia can play center or guard. Zinter might fall because of injury.

A good CB that isn't always hurt. probably late second or third round. I like T J Tampa-Ia State and Kyree Jackson-Oregon. Both big, fast, and physical.

A good, fast LB to play alot this year and replace Campbell next year. How about Payton Wilson-N C State? 6'4 240lbs and runs 4.5s.

Another RB to spell Jones and take over in the next 2 years. Braelon Allen or Marshawn Lloyd.

MIx in Edge, maybe WR late. another RB, and ? Fill the holes.

It's time! Time for a new DC that will finally scare opponents, time for schemes that puzzle the offenses and allow pressure from everywhere. Let's build a defense with who we have and who we'll draft and kick ass in 2024. It's time to explode with this defense with a DC that creates chaos and turnovers. Barry is gone and good riddance. MLF, do this hiring right and get a dude in there that demands his players to ball out with abandon. It's time.....!

I'm relieved the Packers finally did what they should have done 2 years ago after the Tampa Bay fiasco; fire Joe Barry! I don't know if the order came from management or LaFleur finally figured it out, but either way I'm elated. I believe they will be a legitimate Super Bowl contender next season, and hopefully into the foreseeable future. The bow on the package would be landing Jim Leonhard. GO PACK!

I think the decisions on Bahktiari, Smith, Stokes and Savage are easy.

The Packers are in pretty good shape, and they know exactly what weaknesses to address, which they're doing: Get a top DC to replace Barry, get a strength/conditioning coach who's an expert at minimizing injuries such as hamstrings, get a more consistent kicker.

Jones and Smith must be brought back; it's merely a question of how their contracts will be restructured. But the Packers must also draft their long-term replacements, probably with high picks. When Jones is healthy, he plays at an elite level. He's well worth his high salary; the difference between him and an average plow horse running back is enormous. But we need to find a backup with Jones-type talent to minimize the drop-off when Jones is injured. That won't be easy.

Players with injury histories should have their contracts restructured to emphasize game-day bonuses. That includes Bakhtiari, if he'll accept it. Otherwise cut him, and let him sign with the Jets.

Finally, the Packers are going to have to sign Jordan to a long-term contract which is competitive with other elite QBs ($35 to $45 million per year with escalators). That will soak up a lot of cap space, but much of the cap hit can be postponed to 2025 and later when they'll have more space.

Braelon Allen-Wisconsin would be my first choice for RB. He is 20 years old, had great production for 3 years, is never hurt, 6'2 240 and runs 4.5. He could easily fill Dillons role but he is a future lead RB.

Marshawn Lloyd-USC, is an Aaron Jones clone. Same size, speed, and catching ability.

Ray Davis-Kentucky, 5th rounder probably.5"11 215lbs, runs and catches equally well. Had like 20 total TDs this year.

Sleepers Dillon Johnson-Washington. Isaiah Davis-S Dakota State.