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Green Bay: Packers Fan Favorite’s Dream May Be Shattered for the Second Straight Year

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Green Bay, WI — A year ago, Kristian Welch got his hand on the door to the 53-man roster and still missed. This summer he returned to Lambeau with the same childhood dream — to wear the green and gold — and once again played the “right way”: disciplined, sound, and ready to take on every special-teams assignment. But just as the picture seemed to come into focus, Isaiah Simmons exploded in the preseason finale, turning the fight for the Packers’ final linebacker spot into a photo finish.

Welch is the embodiment of reliability: fits run lanes, finishes tackles, maintains spacing, and treats special teams like second nature. Simmons brings the opposite profile — burst and top-tier traits. In the last game, he produced a handful of highlight snaps that reminded everyone why the staff values him on the kicking units. With Edgerrin Cooper, Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, and Ty’Ron Hopper essentially “locked in,” the Welch–Simmons race is down to one ticket.

Welch speaks plainly — and calmly — about the competition:

“I grew up dreaming of wearing the Packers’ green and gold, and I believe I belong on this team; In final preseason game, Isaiah Simmons had some flashes — the Packers clearly like him on special teams and I think he’ll do well — but I’ve played steady, done things the right way, and stayed ready, so I believe I deserve a real chance to compete for the final spot.”

Welch’s message hits the fanbase where it matters: he doesn’t deny what Simmons brings, but he underscores the value of durability and discipline — qualities long respected in Matt LaFleur’s room and by the special teams coordinator. Strategically, Brian Gutekunst must weigh “trustworthy stability” against “developmental ceiling” over a 17-game season.

Cutdown day is always ruthless. Last year, Packers fans felt that squeeze when Welch’s dream slipped through a narrow crack. This year, the story could repeat — not because the community doesn’t support Simmons making the 53, but because Welch has done enough to merit an opportunity. Whatever happens, the decision will speak to the team’s culture: will the Packers choose heart & discipline, or pop & potential for the road ahead?

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Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side