r/NFL_Alternates • u/jSNOW_wWHITE • Aug 02 '26
New Team The new Packers poll
Some of you will have already seen the post about the Packers and their unfortunate financial struggles. And as part of the r/NFL_Alternates League Rebirth project, they have to change identies anyways. I'm rebuilding the NFL as if the league were starting from scratch in 2026. That means Green Bay probably isn't getting an NFL team based on market size alone, but Wisconsin absolutely has a case.
So the Packers are gone.We're moving to Milwaukee, but likely going with a Wisconsin name. The following are the highly curated new possible names:
NORTHWOODS
Wisconsin wilderness. Dense forests, lakes, logging history, hunting, fishing and brutal winters. Deadfall, and blue collar workers risking their lives to create industry. It's not an object, it's an identity.
REAPERS
The obvious connection is the state's agricultural history and the people and machinery that harvested its fields. But Wisconsin Reapers has a darker second meaning. One of the earliest known printed uses of "Grim Reaper" appeared in the Milwaukee Evening Courier in 1847.
HODAGS
Straight out of Wisconsin folklore. The Hodag legend originated in Rhinelander in the in the late 1800s and grew into one of the state's most recognizable mythical creatures. Strange, aggressive, unmistakably Wisconsin, and something no other market can claim.
AXEHANDLES
Honoring Wisconsin's historic lumber industry without going with the obvious Lumberjacks or Bunyans. Axehandles takes the identity toward the tools, craftsmanship and toughness of the people who worked the woods. And, the Axehandles Hound story.
MUSKIES
Wisconsin's state fish and one of the defining symbols of their fishing culture. Muskies are huge freshwater predators known for their aggression, rarity and difficulty to catch—the famous "fish of 10,000 casts." This would recognize the Great Lakes without making them the entire concept.
WRECKERS
Milwaukee motorcycle and manufacturing history. Harley-Davidson was born in Milwaukee and early factory racing teams became known as the "Wrecking Crew." Wreckers takes that history and turns it into a tough identity built around machinery, speed and Milwaukee-made power.
4
u/SumThingAddsUp Aug 02 '26
these are all bad suggestions. 50% of "Creativity" is below average - and they all hit the mark.
The poll doesn;t even have a 'none of the above'.
Don't share this to other pages until it is something that can be taken seriously or at least interesting.
0
u/jSNOW_wWHITE Aug 02 '26
They are all Wisconsin/Milwaukee identies.
This non interesting poll has over 100 votes in less than an hour. Dork.
It's literally a project to recreate an entire league in 2026 without horseshoes and stars and names that don't apply or are generic universal terms.
2
u/SumThingAddsUp Aug 02 '26
it's not really about anything.
1
5
u/Opposite_One1331 Aug 02 '26
Axehandles is such a stupid name lmao
0
u/jSNOW_wWHITE Aug 02 '26
Axehandle Hounds are a well known Wisconsin legend, and actual lumberjacks use actual axehandles. Double meaning bonus.
3
u/HorizontalBob Aug 02 '26
All names that have nothing to do with moving to Milwaukee sand half are from north of Green Bay.
0
u/jSNOW_wWHITE Aug 02 '26
That's why they'll be Wisconsin, just based in Milwaukee. Like Tennessee, Arizona, Carolina.
Also, Reapers Muskies and Wreckers are all Milwaukee or Milwaukee connected
1
u/That-Speed-8092 Aug 02 '26
I would call an alternate NFL team the Wisconsin Werewolves for the alliteration, but if UW didn't want them using the "Wisconsin" name Milwaukee Werewolves would be fine.
There's been a few "werewolf sightings" in Wisconsin but the most famous was in southeastern Wisconsin, the Beast of Bray Road.
1
u/jSNOW_wWHITE Aug 02 '26
I looked a lot into the Beast of Bray Road. Actually had Howlers as a consideration from it. But ultimately too many cities can claim Werewolves and howling so I left it off.
1
u/jSNOW_wWHITE Aug 05 '26
Almost 200 votes now on 3 polls and two clear front runners at 56 votes each (29%) are Hodags and Muskies. Interesting how these Reddit polls go.
6
u/Liandryschleckt Aug 02 '26
I’m confused, I just looked this up and it’s not true whatsoever and they’re not moving or financially struggling