Packers Morning Buzz: Anticipation already building for Rodgers-Mahomes matchup

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers from around the web and here at PackersNews.com.

With the 2019 NFL schedule set to be released Wednesday, we'll start with Elliott Harrison of NFL.com projecting what he thinks will be the top 19 games of the season. The Packers make the list, but not with their NFL season-opening game at Chicago. Instead, Harrison points to the anticipated showdown between Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes.

Harrison writes:

 6) Green Bay Packers at Kansas City Chiefs: Packers at Chiefs represents one of the more unique games on the 2019 slate. These two franchises don't square off much -- just once every four years -- so we don't see the Super Bowl I rematch often. The last time they played at Arrowhead back in 2011, the Packers were 13-0, then proceeded to get pounded by a ferocious Kansas City pass rush and lose their first game of the season. Neither of those factors are why this makes the top 10 of this year's upcoming games. This might be the lone time we ever see Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes go against one another. Rodgers will be closing in on 40 years old the next time the schedule allows for the Packers and Chiefs to play one another. It was during that 2011 season that Rodgers won his first MVP, tossing 45 touchdown passes in the pocket, out of the pocket and sometimes from different arm angles -- sound familiar? Watching Rodgers and Mahomes go back and forth should be quite the treat.

For the entire top-19 game list, click here:

We'll soon find out when the Rodgers-Mahomes matchup will be:

Pete Dougherty writes about the Packers' need for a dependable last line of defense:

In the wake of reports that Missouri quarterback Drew Lock came to Green Bay for a top-30 visit, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com projects Lock to the Packers at No. 30 in his latest mock draft.

Here is how Jeremiah foresees the Packers' two first-round selections:

PICK 12

Devin Bush - LB

School: Michigan | Year: Junior 

I think Bush could go much earlier than many people expect due to the combination of his talent and the lack of depth at his position.

PICK 30

Drew Lock - QB

School: Missouri | Year: Senior 

The Packers have been doing a lot of homework on quarterbacks this draft season. They once spent a first-round pick on a QB who'd become the eventual replacement for a 35-year-old future Hall of Famer, and they repeat history here.

You can check out Jeremiah's entire mock first round here:

Our Packers draft preview series looks at wide receivers:

Aaron Rodgers' reign as the NFL's highest-paid player didn't last long:

Former Packers executive Andrew Brandt weighs in with his thoughts on the Aaron Rodgers-Mike McCarthy relationship for SI.com.

Brandt writes:

Soon the stories of Packers dysfunction will be a distant memory, especially with a new coach and the excitement surrounding that. But as to whatever happened between McCarthy and Rodgers, believe me: (1) It wasn’t as bad as some made it out to be, and (2) Many of the same things—with different players, coaches and situations—happen in all NFL team environments. Sausage making in NFL offices and locker rooms can be a messy process.

You can read the entire piece here:

Rob Demovsky of ESPN writes about why wide receiver isn't seen as a Packers draft priority:

Arguments for and against the Packers spending a high draft pick on a quarterback, via Acme Packing Co.:

Former Packers fullback John Kuhn returns to the organization in a sports analyst role:

And finally: Titletown District Phase 2 set to kick off:

Contact Stu Courtney at (920) 431-8377 or scourtney@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @stucourt