Before the 2014 season, Mike McCarthy asserted that the offensive line was the best group he’d had during his tenure in Green Bay. Then before the 2015 season, Pro Bowl left guard Josh Sitton said, barring injuries, the unit could be even better because, "The longer we play together, the better we're going to be, just to learn each other and mold the entire offense based on how we're rolling. We can do some pretty special things."

And the week before the NFL-mandated roster cut to 53 players this season, McCarthy doubled down on the sentiment. "I think we clearly could have one of the best lines that we’ve had here," he said, preaching consistency and stability. "I think I’ve said that the last two years, and frankly health is always important."

But, on Saturday, after injuries to everyone on the line but him in 2015 and public grumbling about team playcalling and his contract situation, so much suddenly changed. Sitton was cut, and immediately signed to a large contract by the rival Bears, McCarthy was left to non-explain the reasoning behind the veteran's release and the offensive line looked dramatically different, as its component parts – especially Sitton’s close friends – looked demonstrably disheartened.

Because McCarthy on Monday made it clear he was "not going to sit here and go through every variable, every component of our program" when asked directly about the rationale of letting Sitton go, and because general manager Ted Thompson did not address the media, we can – for now – only speculate on it. There were Sitton’s critical comments about the Packers’ offensive game plan after their Week 16 loss to the Cardinals last year; there was his frustration that the organization said it wouldn’t negotiate a new contract with him or friend and fellow guard T.J. Lang during the season; there were the facts that he was 30 years old, coming off back and other nagging injuries and owed $6.85 million in 2016.

Lots of questions, but very few answers.

In retrospect, there was some writing on the wall – of the locker room, perhaps, or the meeting room or trainer’s room – but virtually none of it seemed to involve Sitton’s play as a left guard. And for a team that so publicly professed to swear by sameness on the offensive line, doing something so different – and hearing the coach and players struggle to defend the decision – appeared to signal a disconnect between the Packers’ perceptions and communications in the front office and on the football field.

"Cut days are never easy; never been a part of one this tough, though, saying goodbye to a good friend," said a visibly dejected Lang on Monday. "I talked to (Sitton) Saturday. Obviously, you know, I think we were all pretty devastated, confused, shocked."

Lang was asked what, if any, message was sent by the move, and he revealed how little the players know about the personnel department’s decision-making process.

"Nobody’s safe, I guess? I mean, we know just as much as you guys do – the reasoning behind it, I don’t know, I don’t want to speculate on any of that," Lang said. "But yeah, been here eight years now and one of the most surprising cuts that I’ve seen. I don’t really know what to think, still kind of absorbing the whole thing. It’s obviously a lot of emotions."

McCarthy was left to stand at the podium – he wasn't "going to sit here" – and talk ambiguously about the "tough decisions" that are made around cutting down to the 53-man roster and how "every decision we make is about improving all aspects of our program."

On the timing of Sitton’s release, a week before the season kicks off, and personnel operations in general? "I’m not going to get into any of that," McCarthy said. On whether Sitton’s play had dipped at all in training camp? "I’m not going to get into that because I’m sure we’re going to agree and mostly disagree on a lot of things."

 The most potentially telling answer McCarthy gave was when he spoke about the importance of chemistry in the locker room.

"Anytime you make decisions, you have to look at everything that’s involved. I’m not going to sit here and go through every variable, every component of our program," he said. "Each player is evaluated, every person that touches the locker room has always been evaluated, because the locker room is the most important room in our building, frankly, in my opinion. Decisions are made all the time about trying to improve and continue the flow of growth in our football program."

That response, particularly, the end of it, sounded quite a bit like the statement the Packers put out on Saturday from Thompson, which in its four short sentences also mentioned growth.

"While these decisions are never easy, this was done with a focus on what is best for the team and the growth of the offensive line," it said.

Thompson goes out of his way never to divulge much of anything, so perhaps we’re reading too much into this. But it seems significant that, in terms of what’s best for the Packers, he might consider to be necessary change and development of a unit that, for the past two years, had been adamant that simply staying together was paramount to its success.

With Lane Taylor taking over at left guard and center JC Tretter replacing Corey Linsley, who was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, Green Bay will have new starters at two of five positions on the offensive line that protects two-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Last year, numerous injuries on the line caused the Packers to allow 47 sacks, fifth-most in the league, including 6.5 by Sitton, who was the only lineman to play all 18 games. Since 2009, Sitton had started 110 of 112 possible regular-season games, by far the most durable and dependable player on the Packers' line.

"I can sit here and speculate for hours," Lang said, "but the fact is I don’t know any reasons behind it. And I don’t think we probably ever will. I think that makes it a little tougher to move on. But we just have to find a way.

"It sucks. The timing doesn’t help much, either. But we’re playing Jacksonville and that’s where our focus has to be."

Said left tackle David Bakhtiari: "It’s definitely not ideal, but it’s an adjustment that, we’re professionals, we’re going to have to work on the fly. Same thing as a guy getting injured. You’ve got to have that chemistry."

A fourth-round pick in 2008, Sitton had been the most senior member of the offensive line. Now that player is Lang, in his eighth year, followed by Bulaga, entering his seventh. Both men mentioned Sitton’s knowledge of the offense and experience as major assets.

"He was kind of the guy that showed me the ropes when I was a rookie," Bulaga said. "I’ve been here the entire time with him, so whenever you lose not just a good football player but also a really close friend, it’s difficult."

For his part, Taylor, who is going into his fourth season in Green Bay, was the recipient of plenty of praise from McCarthy – "I have all the confidence in the world in Lane; he’s earned this opportunity, I think he’s done a very good job, particularly in the run blocking phase of his game" – and polite affirmation from his teammates. Bulaga noted the linemen were "confident with Lane," and Lang said, "We know Lane’s a solid player."

The understated Taylor was in the uncomfortable spot of answering questions about whether he can replace a three-time Pro Bowler that was well-liked in the offensive line room and very popular with fans.

"I’m just going to prepare, go out there and not worry about what other people think," Taylor said. "The business can be cutthroat at times, tough decisions have to be made. I’m not part of that, I just show up to work, try and get better and help out this football team."

On Tuesday, the first time the Packers were back on the practice field since training camp ended last week, McCarthy said he could feel a positive vibe on the team, despite the sadness of Sitton’s departure.  

"Each and every year, the 48-hour period after you formulate your roster is a tough time. There’s personal relationships you have to take into account," McCarthy said. "So when change happens, you give people their space. We had the team meeting yesterday at noon, then got into preparation. Today will be a ton of energy."

And the first day for this new, reconfigured offensive line, no longer devoted simply to staying together, to grow and improve and try to prove perhaps it can be the one that’s the best McCarthy’s ever had in Green Bay.