Episode Description
ESPN Wisconsin reporter Jason Wilde joins Jen, Gabe & Chewy to address the debate Packers fans can’t stop arguing about:
Is Jordan Love really just the 14th-best quarterback in the NFL?
021726 Jason on JGC
Wilde pushes back on the ranking and explains why both the eye test and the numbers suggest Love belongs higher — and why the criticism of Matt LaFleur from a vocal portion of the fan base surprises people outside Wisconsin.
🏈 If Love Is 14th… What Does That Say About LaFleur?
Wilde makes an interesting point:
If Jordan Love is truly middle-of-the-pack while the Packers consistently make the playoffs, then Matt LaFleur deserves even more credit than critics give him.
Outside the Green Bay bubble, Wilde says many observers are stunned by how quickly some Packers fans are willing to move on from LaFleur — especially given the sustained success.
💰 The Real Story: Roster Bonus Decisions
From there, the conversation pivots to the cap calendar.
Wilde explains that the next few weeks are critical because of:
Roster bonus trigger dates
Restructure pivot points
“Water get off the pot” decisions
Players like Rashan Gary and Elgton Jenkins face major financial crossroads, where the Packers must decide whether to:
Convert bonuses and spread money out
Restructure at lower numbers
Or move on entirely
Wilde calls it personnel malpractice if the front office doesn’t already know which direction it’s going.
🧠 Aaron Banks & Nate Hobbs Structure Tells a Story
Wilde notes something subtle but important:
The Packers structured the contracts of Aaron Banks and Nate Hobbs differently than recent signings — building in roster bonuses that the players may never see.
That tells you the front office wanted flexibility.
Banks’ future, in particular, isn’t as secure as it once looked.
🔄 Malik Willis Is About to Get Paid
The quarterback market also enters the discussion.
With a weak draft class and limited free agent options, Wilde believes Malik Willis’ market is real — potentially similar to Justin Fields’ two-year, $40 million deal.
That impacts the Packers’ compensatory pick equation, which Wilde says they are absolutely factoring into their strategy.
Green Bay could be targeting the maximum four comp picks in 2027 — meaning external signings will likely come from the “released veteran” market instead of true unrestricted free agents.
⚖️ The Bottom Line
Jason Wilde’s message is measured but clear:
Jordan Love isn’t 14th.
LaFleur isn’t on the hot seat nationally.
The Packers have cap levers — but using them requires sacrifice.
And the roster bonus decisions coming in the next 20 days will define this offseason.
The Packers may look stable on the surface — but behind the scenes, the next wave of major decisions is already underway.
🎧 A sharp, insider breakdown of quarterback rankings, coaching perception, and the financial dominoes about to fall in Green Bay — with Jason Wilde on Jen, Gabe & Chewy.
Is Jordan Love really just the 14th-best quarterback in the NFL?
021726 Jason on JGC
Wilde pushes back on the ranking and explains why both the eye test and the numbers suggest Love belongs higher — and why the criticism of Matt LaFleur from a vocal portion of the fan base surprises people outside Wisconsin.
🏈 If Love Is 14th… What Does That Say About LaFleur?
Wilde makes an interesting point:
If Jordan Love is truly middle-of-the-pack while the Packers consistently make the playoffs, then Matt LaFleur deserves even more credit than critics give him.
Outside the Green Bay bubble, Wilde says many observers are stunned by how quickly some Packers fans are willing to move on from LaFleur — especially given the sustained success.
💰 The Real Story: Roster Bonus Decisions
From there, the conversation pivots to the cap calendar.
Wilde explains that the next few weeks are critical because of:
Roster bonus trigger dates
Restructure pivot points
“Water get off the pot” decisions
Players like Rashan Gary and Elgton Jenkins face major financial crossroads, where the Packers must decide whether to:
Convert bonuses and spread money out
Restructure at lower numbers
Or move on entirely
Wilde calls it personnel malpractice if the front office doesn’t already know which direction it’s going.
🧠 Aaron Banks & Nate Hobbs Structure Tells a Story
Wilde notes something subtle but important:
The Packers structured the contracts of Aaron Banks and Nate Hobbs differently than recent signings — building in roster bonuses that the players may never see.
That tells you the front office wanted flexibility.
Banks’ future, in particular, isn’t as secure as it once looked.
🔄 Malik Willis Is About to Get Paid
The quarterback market also enters the discussion.
With a weak draft class and limited free agent options, Wilde believes Malik Willis’ market is real — potentially similar to Justin Fields’ two-year, $40 million deal.
That impacts the Packers’ compensatory pick equation, which Wilde says they are absolutely factoring into their strategy.
Green Bay could be targeting the maximum four comp picks in 2027 — meaning external signings will likely come from the “released veteran” market instead of true unrestricted free agents.
⚖️ The Bottom Line
Jason Wilde’s message is measured but clear:
Jordan Love isn’t 14th.
LaFleur isn’t on the hot seat nationally.
The Packers have cap levers — but using them requires sacrifice.
And the roster bonus decisions coming in the next 20 days will define this offseason.
The Packers may look stable on the surface — but behind the scenes, the next wave of major decisions is already underway.
🎧 A sharp, insider breakdown of quarterback rankings, coaching perception, and the financial dominoes about to fall in Green Bay — with Jason Wilde on Jen, Gabe & Chewy.