Official Packers 2024 OTA/Minicamp Thread

[Fritz]

Man, they were good in that game. I remember a couple of Packer runs, where the running back looked like he had an opening for a big gain, then, wham, out of nowhere, one of the linebackers would nail him for a one or two yard gain. Man, they were fast, and they hit hard.

[Joemailman]

The Green Bay Packers released rookie undrafted free agent Rodney Mathews to clear a roster spot for former San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Spencer Waege, who was claimed off of waivers on Thursday, per Field Yates of ESPN.

Mathews, who went undrafted out of Ohio, signed following the draft and participated during the team’s rookie minicamp last week.

Waege spent the 2nd half of the season on the 49ers practice squad in 2023.

[RashanGary]

I just listened to the lockerroom interviews from the drafted players.

They almost all seemed like great kids. Pratt maybe a little bratty and Kalen King seemed like a cocky, arrogant kid who got knocked down a few notches. I’m guessing he needed that, but arrogance dies hard. If I had to pick two to flame out based on personality, those are my picks.

Bullard stood out as being incredibly bright and hard nosed too. I really like the country Georgia kids we have. Wyatt, Quay and Bullard. They seem like the bare foot, climbing trees, swimming in creeks sort of country kids and in soft suburban ‘merica, I think the further you go into the forests, swamps and corn fields, the better chance you have of finding a salt of the earth tough guy. He seemed very bright too. Just sharp, focused, bright kid.

Monk is the next guy who kind of stood out as having the right stuff. You can hear guys talk game, but when he talked about being accountable he framed it as he’s not going to bringing any dead weight. That goes beyond just saying the right thing in my view. They don’t teach you to say you’re disgusted by dead weight. You come up with that one on your own and I think he genuinely believes in the grind. A tone setter.

Morgan has a quiet alpha vibe. Maybe he’s not as wild and crazy as Bakh, but he’s kind of in that mold. I can kind of see the mischievous big guy attitude shine through even though he’s holding back. Seems like a great dude. He’s clearly a rare athlete. So being a classic wild and crazy big guy in the Sitton/Bakh mold only adds to the old school rough trench game that we all have so much affection for.

Cooper doesn’t seem quite as bright as most of the guys, but he hunts hogs and fishes for bass. Country kid. Seems like a guy you can count on to give 110 and that’s exactly what he said he was going to do.

Glover seemed like a bright guy. More of a serious guy than the other two, but smart. We always draft smart OL.

Hopper seemed smart, reminded me of Aaron Jones, just infectious, huge hearted dude. Just all world human being. I mean, it might be all he’s good for, but there is something to be said for the intangible power of love in the room. Maybe it’s worth burning a 3rd on a priest for the LB room. If he brings out the best in the two freaky studs we have in front of him it’s definitely worth it.

Williams, Olandapo and Lloyd seemed like your typical suburban dumb ass kids. But you know, that’s 95% of the population. Can’t completely avoid them. Throw Pratt and King in this stereotype too. But these were more humble dip shit kids than the first two i mentioned so throw them in with a bunch of studs and they’ll get right in line.

[Fritz]

I just listened to the lockerroom interviews from the drafted players.

They almost all seemed like great kids. Pratt maybe a little bratty and Kalen King seemed like a cocky, arrogant kid who got knocked down a few notches. I’m guessing he needed that, but arrogance dies hard. If I had to pick two to flame out based on personality, those are my picks.

Bullard stood out as being incredibly bright and hard nosed too. I really like the country Georgia kids we have. Wyatt, Quay and Bullard. They seem like the bare foot, climbing trees, swimming in creeks sort of country kids and in soft suburban ‘merica, I think the further you go into the forests, swamps and corn fields, the better chance you have of finding a salt of the earth tough guy. He seemed very bright too. Just sharp, focused, bright kid.

Monk is the next guy who kind of stood out as having the right stuff. You can hear guys talk game, but when he talked about being accountable he framed it as he’s not going to bringing any dead weight. That goes beyond just saying the right thing in my view. They don’t teach you to say you’re disgusted by dead weight. You come up with that one on your own and I think he genuinely believes in the grind. A tone setter.

Morgan has a quiet alpha vibe. Maybe he’s not as wild and crazy as Bakh, but he’s kind of in that mold. I can kind of see the mischievous big guy attitude shine through even though he’s holding back. Seems like a great dude. He’s clearly a rare athlete. So being a classic wild and crazy big guy in the Sitton/Bakh mold only adds to the old school rough trench game that we all have so much affection for.

Cooper doesn’t seem quite as bright as most of the guys, but he hunts hogs and fishes for bass. Country kid. Seems like a guy you can count on to give 110 and that’s exactly what he said he was going to do.

Glover seemed like a bright guy. More of a serious guy than the other two, but smart. We always draft smart OL.

Hopper seemed smart, reminded me of Aaron Jones, just infectious, huge hearted dude. Just all world human being. I mean, it might be all he’s good for, but there is something to be said for the intangible power of love in the room. Maybe it’s worth burning a 3rd on a priest for the LB room. If he brings out the best in the two freaky studs we have in front of him it’s definitely worth it.

Williams, Olandapo and Lloyd seemed like your typical suburban dumb ass kids. But you know, that’s 95% of the population. Can’t completely avoid them. Throw Pratt and King in this stereotype too. But these were more humble dip shit kids than the first two i mentioned so throw them in with a bunch of studs and they’ll get right in line.

I only want a priest in the LB room if he's graduated from the Wayne Simmons School of Divinity.

[smuggler]

People who follow the Wayne Simmons path to faith have closed casket funerals. If we could just sign the undertaker instead, you'd be on the right track.

[Joemailman]

Paul Bretl
@Paul_Bretl

Packers pass game coordinator Derek Ansley on Jaire Alexander:

[MadScientist]

Paul Bretl
@Paul_Bretl

Packers pass game coordinator Derek Ansley on Jaire Alexander:

That sounds good, like Alexander is really putting in the work and is re-energized for the season. However, this time of year it might just be a "best shape of his career" variant.

[Teamcheez1]

The Packers also paid his $8M roster bonus in March. That was a signal they were invested in him as a Packer and he needed to step up.

[run pMc]

I think Barry being shown the door was re-energizing for Jaire.

[Scott Campbell]

I think Barry being shown the door was re-energizing for Jaire.

Yeah, I think a lot of guys in the lockerroom were more than ready to move on from Joe.

Jaire has another massive issue that should re-energize him. His cap hit is ~ $24M, $26M and $28M over the next 3 seasons. His dead money hit is ~ $35.5M, $19M and $11M over the same 3 seasons. He hasn't played anywhere near an elite enough level to justify his massive contract for years now. He also hasn't been able to stay on the field regularly. We can't possibly afford to walk away from him this year, but it gets significantly easier in each of the next 2 years.

Ideally he just gets back to being worth the money.

[Scott Campbell]

The Packers also paid his $8M roster bonus in March. That was a signal they were invested in him as a Packer and he needed to step up.

With a $35M dead money cap hit this year, I don't read too much in them paying Jaire the roster bonus. With Bakh already counting for $19.1M in dead money this year, realeasing or trading Jaire isn't yet a realistic option - in my opinion.

[bobblehead]

I think Barry being shown the door was re-energizing for Jaire.

I think he likes being viewed as "the man". With Douglas gone and everyone being younger than him gives him a wise old veteran feeling. The kids are looking up.to him and he loves it.

[Joemailman]

It's a huge year for Jaire. His cap hit jumps to 23 million in 2024 and will be 25 and 27 million in 2025 and 2026. Starting in 2025 the Packers would save money on the cap by moving him. He needs to be an elite player to justify paying that salary.

[Joemailman]

OTA's start today. First media access tomorrow. Imagine most of the focus will be on defense, because that's where the most changes are.

[bobblehead]

It's a huge year for Jaire. His cap hit jumps to 23 million in 2024 and will be 25 and 27 million in 2025 and 2026. Starting in 2025 the Packers would save money on the cap by moving him. He needs to be an elite player to justify paying that salary.

My bet is he blows this season. He has skipped most of the "dominant shutdown corner" part of his career and is transforming into the old guy who talks about how he was a dominant shut down corner. It works well for Woodson because....well, he actually was for 6-8 years. Jaire had a nice 10 game run at one point to land a contract. In his mind, his work is done and he is ready to impart all of his wisdom on to the young guys.