Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Wes, I recall Spoff saying that he won't even look at the Inbox during his vacation as a means of getting away for a few weeks. Therefore, he will not have seen Gavin from Albuquerque's submission about laxative-laced brownies. You know what you have to do to stop Spoff from stealing your lunch, Wes. Now do it.

I feel like I opened a (refrigerator) door meant to stay closed.

Johnny from Nasewaupee, WI

Good afternoon, Wes, and Mike: Does it seem like the Packers are bringing in a few more veterans? I like that strategy. Never been a fan of continually being a young team.

Sure, but it is important to consider the positions Zaire Franklin and Javon Hargrave play. While football is a young man's game, linebacker and defensive tackle are two spots where savvy veterans can play well into their 30s. Lavonte David started every game he played for Tampa Bay the past 14 years before retiring this week. Calais Campbell started all 17 for Arizona last year at 39 years young. Franklin and Hargrave are proven vets who have a history with Jonathan Gannon. That experience is invaluable right now as a new day dawns on defense.

Bruce from Jackson, WI

Wes, why are rookie WRs able to produce around the league, but not in GB? Do we have a blind spot in evaluating WR talent? Is it their college or Packers' coaching? Frankly, we should never waste a first-round draft pick on a WR again. This slow-walking, spread the ball around strategy seems to slow their development. By the time they succeed, they walk and we start over. What's worse, we don't receive anything in exchange because they are viewed as good, not great. What am I and others missing?

But what about 2022 and 2023, Bruce? Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson were go-to guys straightaway. A year later, Jayden Reed shattered the team's rookie record for receptions in a season while Dontayvion Wicks was a diamond in the fifth-round rough. The Packers are adhering to the same process they have utilized for the past 20 years. The only difference now is they have a first-round pick with massive expectations. The Packers know what they are doing with receivers. Be patient. It's going to be all right.

Tom from Herndon, VA

Rounds 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 – five draft picks from 2022 draft who have just signed with other teams in free agency. You have often said "You judge the success of a draft by how many players are re-signed after their initial contact." We just lost five strong contributors from the 2022 draft. Was it successful?

Very. Please see below.

Steve Flagstaff, AZ

If I am looking at this correctly, I see the possible big name free agents after the 2026 season of Watson, Wicks, Reed, and Tucker Kraft on offense and Devonte Wyatt on defense. Yes, there is Isaiah McDuffie and Keisean Nixon. Plus, Lukas Van Ness has a fifth-year option. I can't imagine the Packers having the cap money to sign them all. I would hope to keep Kraft and Wyatt and hopefully Watson next. Can they possibly keep those three? Or even another WR as well or is Reed or Wicks trade material for a pick? Just looking ahead!

I feel like this is why we saw so many players leave in unrestricted free agency. Because the Packers have an even better 2023 draft class in contract years. Kraft, Wyatt, Watson, and Reed are premium players now entering their prime. I predict Brian Gutekunst and Russ Ball will be busy over these next 12 months.

Bob from Rome, NY

Wes: With losing Doubs to free agency, can you see Savion Williams filling in at that position with somewhat close to Doubs production? Williams is slightly taller and heavier. Looking for your valued opinion based on your in-person eye test. Thank you!

It's hard to say because I have not seen Williams run many routes. He's also behind four established receivers on the depth chart. Williams just needs to focus on staying healthy and seeing what opportunities present themselves along the way. The Packers will call on him here at some point.

Paul from Ellensburg, WA

Hey fellas, in regards to the question of who on the Packers' D do we need to break out for us to have a good year. With all due respect to the Javon Bullard answer, I feel it's more significant to get a breakout campaign from any edge rusher not named Micah Parsons. We'll need at least one guy to make the quarterbacks uncomfortable before Parsons gets back and to make the O-line think after he gets back. Just my two cents.

Totally fair. The Packers need one of those young pass rushers to take a big step whether it's a first-round pick like Lukas Van Ness or undrafted free agent like Brenton Cox Jr.

Jeff from Champlin, MN

Which of our reserve DTs (Warren Brinson, Nazir Stackhouse, Jonathan Ford, and Jordon Riley) showed the most promise last year and who appeared to have highest future ceiling?

I liked what I saw from Riley, but he unfortunately tore his Achilles against Baltimore. So, I'm not sure where that puts him for the 2026 season. Brinson and Stackhouse each flashed in their own way. It seems like the Packers are playing the long game on both guys in hope of finding the next Lawrence Guy or Johnny Jolly.

George from North Mankato, MN

What are the odds that the Packers have a new undrafted player on their roster this season? Limited cap space and less draft picks than normal make it seem like a certainty. Any positions more likely to be filled this way?

A few college free agents will make their way to the Packers' active roster over the course of an 18-week regular season. That is just how this league works. What we'll be monitoring this summer is whether an undrafted rookie makes Green Bay's Week 1 roster. The streak reached 21 consecutive years last year when Stackhouse made the initial 53.

William from Menominee, MI

Thank you for at least indulging in conversation of "reported" transactions prior to the ink drying. You always include the caveat that it's not official which is good enough for me. As good as the prior author was (Vic), he strictly avoided conversation until the physical was passed and ink was dry. Even in the instance of Maxx Crosby's trade falling through, nobody blamed the reporters. Today's fans want breaking news and if it has a side of "reportedly," that's ok with us.

I understand where Vic was coming from because packers.com is a vital means of communication for the organization. If our website posts something on Player X re-signing, it's taken as gospel to Packers fans and media outlets worldwide. You cannot be wrong.

Chuck from Richfield, WI

Wes, which player currently on the roster of a Packers' 2026 opponent would you most want to interview one-on-one?

Kenny Clark. By the way, did anyone notice how many former Packers players Green Bay will see next season? Romeo Doubs (New England), Malik Willis and Zayne Anderson (Miami), Rasheed Walker (Carolina), Kingsley Enagbare (N.Y. Jets), and Clark and Rashan Gary (Dallas) are all on the 2026 schedule.

Eric from Milwaukee, WI

How many draft choices do we have this year, and could you tell me which round do we have draft choices?

You betcha. The Packers have seven picks: Second round (No. 52), third (84), fourth (120), fifth (160), sixth (201) and two sevenths (236 and 255).

James from Appleton, WI

Maybe I'm more surprised than most that Nate Hobbs was cut, but even more I'm impressed how quickly the decision was made. No dithering. Not at all like the time I bought parachute pants in the late '80s.

Hobbs was due a substantial roster bonus shortly after the new league year, so the Packers couldn't dilly dally. Wishing Hobbs nothing but the best. I know Hobbs drew the ire of Packers fans, but he was a standup dude in the locker room. I'm hoping it works out for him in San Francisco.

Jeff from Monticello, WI

Hello II, every year for the last 10 years Aaron Rodgers has held a team in limbo over his decision to play or not, personally I find it amusing but it has to be trying for those in charge waiting on him.

That's Rodgers' prerogative as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play this game. Kevin Harlan shot his shot when he asked Mike McCarthy about Rodgers on Monday. McCarthy had no news to report on the Rodgers front but added, "It's really cool to see Aaron at 42 and to see a young man at 22 and all that he's been able to accomplish and where he's at in his personal life and trying to make this decision. He's in a really good place." My gut says Rodgers comes back for one last ride.

Dave from Lakewood Ranch, FL

Much like MLB has an official scorer to determine if a scored run is earned or unearned due to a fielding error, don't you think the NFL should do the same on interceptions? If a perfect pass bounces off the numbers of a receiver and is picked off on the deflection it goes against the QB undeservedly. INT stats can have a significant impact on a player's contract negotiations. We can call the stat AFI (At Fault Interceptions). Thoughts?

That's an interesting thought. It's not black and white, though. There can be subjectivity whether a pass is overthrown or dropped, but your question is worth consideration. It's always tough when QBs get nicked for a receiver's error.

Dyson from Austin, TX

Wes – it appears even CheeseheadTV isn't immune to free agency. Tyler Herrick is a living legend, and rumor has it he has many leather-bound books, and his apartment smells of rich mahogany. The aviation industry got a good one. CHTV should get a nice compensatory pick, but do you think they replace Tyler by signing an established vet, draft/develop, or trade for you?

As much as I wanted to reply sarcastically to this question, I don't know when I'll get another chance to talk about Tyler in this column. I knew this day would come, but I'm still sad now that it's here. In addition to being one of the best humans I know, Tyler Herrick is insanely talented. He's kind, witty and one of the most creative people I've ever met. CheeseheadTV was lucky to have him for as long as it did. I am sure Corey and Aaron will find a strong candidate to fill Tyler's shoes, but nobody will make me laugh as hard as Tyler did. He's a legend. I'm proud to call him a friend.

Ron from Wichita, KS

It just hit me, and this might be a bit early, but you know how you load up your fork for the first bite of your meal and as you raise it to your mouth, everything falls off. Wes, isn't that like the start of everything football? The possibility is there but we never know...

Yep. Just hoping and praying the spaghetti doesn't end up in your lap.

Dale from Prescott, WI

On the stolen lunch comments, my dad used to have part of his lunch stolen a lot. So, he took some caramel wrappers from the ones that were stolen and filled them with squares of putty and made a hot dish out of dog food. Problem solved after that.

What was going on in these break rooms back in the day?

Bob from Geneseo, IL

Your description of the Jeffrey Query mullet using one of the most memorable lines from Seinfeld brought a chuckle and become a first time sender, although a loyal reader. Thank you for making my day complete!

Thank you very little.

Derek from Eau Claire, WI

Insider Inbox Checklist: First question of the column, last question of the column (bonus if the response is "Happy Day of the week"), two questions in the same day, question that contributes to headline (and secondary lede), getting posted the day after a loss (much harder), submitting a question that is then talked about in a future column, getting the last post before a game (bonus if it's a playoff game), being mentioned by name in the column. And, of course, having your poetry published!

And now you know the rest of the story.

Alan from Fresno, CA

My wife and I are planning a trip. When talking to her about it, I said, "According to my research, which could be wrong…" She didn't get it. I guess I should have her read II more often.

Add this to the checklist, Derek. Happy Thursday.

HAVE A QUESTION?