Policys Perspective is a monthly column written by President and CEO Ed Policy

Ed Policy

The first Saturday of every month, Packers President and CEO Ed Policy will write about a topic of interest to Packers fans and the organization and then answer fan questions. Fans are encouraged to email Ed with their name and hometown at:[email protected].

We just wrapped up our second week of OTAs. It's exciting to have the players back in the building. I've always been inspired by this stage in the annual development cycle of an NFL team. Players (rookies and veterans alike) from all different backgrounds enter Lambeau Field as individuals in the spring. By late summer, Coach LaFleur and his staff will have coalesced these individuals into one united team the 2026 Green Bay Packers.

The NFL is very dynamic with 30-40% of a roster changing from year to year. A specific team will only get one season together, one shot, one opportunity to achieve our goals. Then the cycle begins again with 2027 OTAs. The 2026 Packers will be a unique squad and we only get one season to achieve our goals together.

Speaking of the 2026 season, the NFL schedule was announced last month. The schedule is always a mixed bag. There are always some things you like and some things you would like to change. This schedule is especially unique with five weekday games. I believe unique is the new normal with the NFL opening up so many new game windows. The NFL has expanded well beyond Sunday entertainment with games on weekday evenings and holidays. It's clear that when Americans aren't working, they enjoy watching football.

We are fortunate to have nine home games, for probably the last time in a while, and numerous primetime games. This reinforces what you already know. We are an incredibly popular team and have fans around the country and globe who look forward to tuning into our games.

We have a while before we kick off those games, but soon enough players will be riding bikes across the street with kids walking alongside them. Enough from me, let's get into your questions.

Jordan in Lake Geneva, WI

Hey Ed, congratulations on your new role. Your tenure has been off to an impressive and exciting start! My question: For a brief period of our franchise's storied history, we had a mascot named Packy Packer, whom most people have forgotten or are not even aware of. What are your thoughts on Packy? Have you ever considered bringing him back, or creating a new mascot (perhaps even a cheddar equivalent of Gritty)?

Well Jordan, I hope you got a look at our schedule release video Packy, or maybe Clay Matthews', cameo appearance was probably one of the few references that hit my age demographic. I admit, I was unaware of this alleged groundswell of support and love for Packy. His short-lived tenure on our sidelines has clearly long held a place in some hearts across Wisconsin. I can't say we are necessarily bringing him back, or that I'm a fan in general of mascots on the sidelines, but maybe there is an opportunity for some more cameos outside of the schedule release video. We'll give it some thought. While I'm on the schedule release video, every year I enjoy seeing what teams put together to reveal the schedule. I know that some are a little out there and edgy, but I think they are a fun way for teams, in particular their digital/social departments, to show off some creativity outside of football content. I believe our team's video gets better every year and is one of the best out there.

Question from Paul

Hello Mr Policy! Last year I went on a trip to Nashville to see Metallica perform at Nissan Stadium. It was an awesome experience! My friend Kelly and I were lucky enough to have a chance encounter with James Hetfield, the lead singer (probably don't need to explain since you're from the Bay Area and since that's where they're from you probably know that lol). We were eating at the same restaurant and we were leaving at the same time and we were able to talk. We told him we drove 10 hours from Green Bay to see them for the weekend and he was very appreciative and was asking all about the draft because that happened during the previous week. He asked how did it all run and I told him it was run way better than I expected. He said we loved watching it and told him it was amazing that we basically had the town population of Green Bay in the parking lot. He was amazed by this. If they expand their M72 tour into 2027 it would be awesome to get them here because two legendary brands would be fantastic. Also, if there's concern for a "rock crowd" there were ZERO issues at the show and we were in the pit area and never felt in danger at all. Everyone in the crowd was just there to rock out, sing and have a great time! Thank you for your time and have a great day!

Thanks for the suggestion, Paul. I love Metallica and would love to host them at Lambeau Field. Just last month we hosted Luke Combs for two nights and it was a blast. Luke and all the opening performers were amazing. And I am very proud of our team for hosting back-to-back concerts at Lambeau Field for the first time. We are looking for more opportunities to host large events at Lambeau Field. We will always prioritize field conditions, but we also must balance timing with Wisconsin weather and what tours are interested in an outdoor performance in May or June. We are also looking to bring more college football, professional soccer and other events to Lambeau Field. I can't wait for us to host Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin to kick off the college football season this fall. The only Metallica I can guarantee you at Lambeau as of now is "Enter Sandman" over the PA system this fall whenMicah Parsonsreturns...

Zach from Waukesha, WI

Hello Ed, Packers fan since birth, went to my first game in September of 1996 as a 5-year-old, they played the Chargers and won, 42-10, I wouldn't let my grandpa leave in the fourth quarter to beat the traffic even though the game was over. That was always one of his favorite stories to tell. Been back to Lambeau every year since. I just saw they announced season 3 of "Quarterback" on Netflix with a new cast of four QBs. They also did a season of "Receiver," never had any Packer involved. The Packers have never been the stars of a season of "Hard Knocks." As a draftnik I'm always being shown videos on my feed of half-hour to hour-long team-produced vlogs of behind-the-scenes access to the draft room as well as rookies during their minicamp. GMs making trade calls, the calls between GM, HC and the players selected and other interesting happenings of draft weekend, but never from the Packers. If there was one area I would say as a diehard that the team is lacking, it's special content/access for the fans. Is that something you will be more willing to grant access to as president of the team? I'm sure it would be met with much excitement. Thanks for reading!

Great question, Zach and well timed. As you may know, Peyton Manning and Omaha Productions are the producers for both "Quarterback" and "Receiver" series on Netflix. As we shared back in 2024, we are also working with Peyton and Omaha on a Packers-focused docu-series. This series will be an exciting peek behind the curtain of our history and heritage, and I can't wait for you all to see it within the next year. While certainly a different flavor than "Quarterback" or "Hard Knocks," it's going to be a must watch for Packers fans.

Jim from Ashwaubenon

Hi Ed, I am well overdue on my routine to send an idea or two your way. I happened to listen to some coach newcomers to the organization and it dawned on me that so many who join, when asked why, communicate that they like the heritage of the Packers. That's nice. But public statements like those come across as GB is a resume builder for those on their way to better. Please search for people who subscribe to your expectations and fans' expectations to win championships. We need folks who want to be here to make their own NEW HISTORY by winning Super Bowls or at least setting that expectation.

Keep pedaling.

Thanks Jim glad to hear from you, it's been a while since you gave us your feedback on our vegetation choices out front... Unlike our flora, I'm going to have to disagree with you here. New members of our staff, administrative or football, can embrace our rich history and tradition while also striving to make their own history. When new employees mention the heritage of our organization, it is always with a reverence for the past, our way of doing things, and the desire to be a part of that history, not simply a stepping stone. Our history and heritage is more than just something every one of our employees and players looks to with reverence; it sets the expectation, the expectation of winning championships and striving for greatness in all that we do. So, I appreciate that all of our coaches know and embrace our history and the expectation when they park for the first time at 1265.

Stephen from Palos Park, IL

What are your thoughts on the Packers' schedule this year, including playing the Rams on Thanksgiving Eve, and the Bears on Christmas Day, both games on Netflix and both being road games? And your thoughts on right now the Packers having five primetime games at Lambeau Field?

Stephen, I appreciate your question and I spoke to this a bit in my intro. We have an incredibly unique schedule, but that is just the new normal. If one of our games gets flexed to a Saturday game, which is possible, we'll play every day of the week except Tuesday this season. I am excited to show off Lambeau in primetime a handful of times this fall. The energy around night games at Lambeau is unmatched in the league. We are all looking forward to the Frozen Tundra being in full effect as we host four of our final five games of the season here in Green Bay. But I'm going to enjoy summer for a bit before I start thinking about Monday Night Football in January.