The Interviews

ESPN Radio’s Michelle Smallmon joins Kyle & Brust after the Packers’ nightmare opener and admits Green Bay is making it increasingly difficult for her to defend them on Unsportsmanlike. Smallmon still believes in Jordan Love after he battled through disastrous offensive line play, but says the quarterback, Matt LaFleur and the entire offense need to be better after extending their losing streak to six games.

Michelle also revisits the story of how she became a Packers fan after the Rams left St. Louis, including nearly choosing the Bears before leaving them at the altar. Now Bears fans are trying to recruit her back after Green Bay’s recent struggles, but she’s sticking with the Packers for life.

Plus, how much longer can she defend Matt LaFleur? Smallmon explains why she supported Green Bay bringing him back, but says penalties, play calling, preparation and repeated collapses ultimately fall on the head coach. And if the Packers somehow follow the Vikings collapse by losing to the Jets, defending LaFleur on Monday morning could become nearly impossible.

Matt Lepay joins Kyle & Brust to assess where Wisconsin stands after its win over Western Illinois. Lepay says the Badgers have shown that “their good is really good,” pointing to explosive plays, special teams and stretches of strong defense, but the challenge is producing that level for four quarters. He pushes back on the idea that Wisconsin needs to destroy every September opponent, while acknowledging that Luke Fickell’s program needs to start showing more consistency as the schedule gets tougher.

Lepay also discusses the disappointing attendance at Camp Randall and says the best way to bring the energy back is simple: win meaningful games. With Penn State looming, Wisconsin has an opportunity to give fans a reason to believe again. Plus, Lepay explains why the Brewers’ run of four straight NL Central titles shouldn’t be taken for granted and why Milwaukee’s payroll limitations make its sustained success even more impressive.

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter joins Jen, Gabe & Chewy to explain why the Packers’ Week 2 matchup against the Jets has become much more important after Green Bay’s opening loss. Schefter discusses Tucker Kraft’s new contract and why a deal ultimately made sense for both sides. He also weighs in on whether veteran guard Kevin Zeitler could realistically help Green Bay’s struggling offensive line and provides context on the NFL’s investigation involving Josh Jacobs. Plus, Schefter discusses the mounting criticism surrounding Matt LaFleur after the Packers’ sixth straight loss.

Green Bay Packers safety Evan Williams joins Jason Wilde and Mark Tauscher on Wilde and Tausch reflecting on the Packers' Week 1 loss to the Vikings and looking ahead to how the team can bounce back from a difficult (and controversial) season-opening defeat.

Mark Tauscher joins Kyle & Brust to diagnose the Packers’ offensive line after Jordan Love spent Week 1 under constant pressure. Tausch pushes back on TJ Lang’s belief that Green Bay’s lack of retaliation when Love takes shots is coached, explaining the difference between protecting your quarterback and hurting the team with unnecessary penalties. But he agrees there are moments when an offensive line has to make it clear that certain hits on its quarterback won’t be tolerated.

Tauscher also explains why he isn’t ready to bury Green Bay’s offensive line after one game, pointing to the lack of continuity in training camp and the difficulty of opening the season against Brian Flores in Minnesota. However, he warns that the Bears and Vikings have now put a blueprint on film: keep bringing pressure until the Packers prove they can stop it. Plus, Tausch weighs in on Matt LaFleur taking the points off the board, saying he supported the aggressive decision but didn’t like using a Jordan Love quarterback sneak on a long fourth-and-one.

Evan Cohen of Unsportsmanlike on ESPN Radio joins Jason Wilde and Mark Tauscher on Wilde and Tausch to share his national perception of Jordan Love, Matt LaFleur, and the Green Bay Packers following the 39-22 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1 of the NFL season.

Brewers broadcaster Jeff Levering joins Jen, Gabe and Chewy with Milwaukee’s magic number down to two and a division championship within reach. Levering explains how the Brewers could arrange their pitching staff for October and why they appear better equipped for the postseason than they were a year ago. He discusses the importance of earning a top-two seed, balancing rest with staying sharp and the dangerous teams Milwaukee could encounter in a loaded National League. Levering also explains why Jacob Misiorowski’s next start is important as he works through issues with his front plant leg. Plus, he highlights the recent offensive production of Garrett Mitchell, Joey Ortiz and others before the conversation takes a turn toward Starburst flavors and Chewy’s unusual salad-dressing combination.

Former Packers offensive linemen TJ Lang and Bryan Bulaga reunite to diagnose what’s missing from Green Bay’s offensive line after Jordan Love spent Week 1 under siege. The former teammates explain why their Packers lines played with an edge, where protecting the quarterback meant more than simply executing an assignment. Lang says opposing defenses knew there would be consequences for taking extra shots at Aaron Rodgers, and questions whether that attitude and emotional leadership exists on the current Packers line.

Lang also wonders whether Green Bay’s current approach to avoiding retaliation is being coached, arguing that sometimes an offensive lineman needs to risk a penalty to show teammates and opponents that taking liberties with the quarterback won’t be tolerated. Bulaga recalls how their line responded when Ndamukong Suh took shots at Rodgers and explains why that mentality became part of the identity of those Packers teams.

Finally, Lang delivers his message directly to the current group: the G on the helmet means something. Protect Jordan Love, take pride in your responsibility and rediscover the toughness that comes with playing offensive line for the Green Bay Packers. Bulaga agrees, calling that attitude a tradition passed down through generations of Packers linemen.

Craig Karmazin joins Jen, Gabe and Chewy and explains why he doesn’t put much stock in conclusions drawn from the opening week of the NFL season. A discussion about international NFL travel leads Craig to revisit Barry Alvarez’s strategy for Wisconsin’s 1993 trip to Tokyo and the Badgers’ eventual Rose Bowl run. The conversation shifts to the Brewers and the importance of staying ahead of the Dodgers rather than simply proving they can beat the Cubs. Craig points to Milwaukee’s sustained regular-season success over the last three years as evidence that what the organization is building is no fluke. He pushes back on a World Series-or-bust mentality because the Brewers have remained contenders without sacrificing their future.

Legendary former Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers returns for the first time in more than six years for an exclusive conversation with Jason Wilde on Wilde and Tausch.