Inbox: Fifteen years is cause for a celebration

Jack from Black Mountain, NC

Congrats on 15 years of II. II is an excellent example of the special and unique Packers culture. Of course, we want the 14th championship. But the Packers are the most outstanding franchise in all of professional sports because of the culture you described in the various Rich Bisaccia posts. Behavior on and off the field. Tailgate tours. Foundation support to hundreds of community organizations. And more that fans don't see. Keep up the good II work and other inspiring articles. Culture matters!

Fifteen years. Wow. I'd say that's cause for celebration, though there is no ice cream cake in staff dining. Maybe they're saving it for tomorrow. This column is a testament to Vic's vision and millions of words splattered on this page. We appreciate those of you who consume them. Whether you've followed Ask Vic/Insider Inbox for 15 minutes or 15 years, we don't take your readership for granted. This space wouldn't be possible without you. To quote the great Kobe Bryant after he won his only NBA MVP award in 2008, "It's been (15) years. We still got many more years to go. We gonna (write) until June. I love you. Now let's get this party started."

Venny from Montgomery, AL

I know I'm looking way ahead, but the 2027 offseason appears daunting in regards to Packers players potentially heading into free agency. Tucker Kraft, Devonte Wyatt, Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks and Luke Musgrave will all be up for contract extensions next year, if a few extensions aren't issued over this off season. Has there ever been a free agency year in which the Packers have had this many significant contributors eligible for extensions?

This is a big one coming up; perhaps Green Bay's largest swath of unrestricted free agents in more than a decade. Of course, that's still one year away and the Packers can take a bite out of that with an extension or two like they did with Zach Tom and Watson last year. First and foremost, Green Bay has major decisions to make with a talented 2026 free-agent class.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Wes, it's almost a math question, but it's really not! If the average hang time of a punt is about 4½ seconds, and if the average punt returner can run a 40-yard dash in about 4½ seconds, why is it that Packers punt returners too often let the punt hit the turf without fielding it this past season? An explosive return once in a while would be nice, but at the very least, can we just get a clean catch?

The Packers undoubtedly have work to do on punt returns. The stats bear that out. The coverage team was solid. Daniel Whelan punted well. Zayne Anderson and Bo Melton were perfect complements. But Green Bay just couldn't find that same rhythm on its return team. It's been a while since the Packers last had a player who majored in returning, but it may be worth considering while building the 2026 squad.

Bill from Wilmington, DE

Wes, do you expect a serious kicker competition this offseason, or is Brandon McManus locked in?

Well, McManus has a roster bonus due next month, so that is something to monitor. Either way, I expect some type of kicking competition. Green Bay signed Lucas Havrisik to a future deal last month, which will give the front office a much longer look at the former Arizona kicker.

Monty from Boston, MA

It has been well discussed how Rich Bisaccia impacted "his" special teams units as the special teams coordinator and how that must change given his decision to step away. How might the absence of his other title as assistant head coach affect the Packers, players and other coaches going forward? Perhaps more generally, is the assistant head coach title simply a way to promote (e.g. a coach and prevent them from accepting a promotion elsewhere), or do they truly hold teamwide responsibilities?

There were a few added responsibilities with Bisaccia's assistant head coach position but it's more a reflection of his influence on the team than a list of duties. For most teams, it's a way to reward a venerable assistant with a new title and a bump in pay.

Troy from Westminster, CO

That's a good explanation to Al from Green Bay. To continue, it also seems many fans only have a perspective on their team and not of the bigger picture of all or most teams. I often say unless there's a Point B, we can't really recognize what Point A truly means. Packers fans might get frustrated but try being a Browns fan, or even a Bears, Lions or Vikings fan who aren't perennially competing in the playoffs.

In fairness to fans, I'd much rather discuss the champagne problems and challenges that the Packers face than those of the aforementioned teams.

Sean from Palatine, IL

Good morning Insiders! "Sack the lot of them." Is Hodkiewicz a British surname? On the coaching staff changes, I truly believe it's all offseason drivel. Ask any fan of any team what they think about their QB coach or defensive quality control assistant in Week 10 and watch their head spin. We have no idea what different coaches' roles are beyond their title.

Polish-Lithuanian, actually. Understanding how the mechanism works inside an NFL franchise is sorta like MTV "True Life." You think you know…but you have no idea.

Trevor from Cheyenne, WY

I appreciate the inside information on Rich as a person, but as a fan, special teams to me has been a sore spot since not long after SB XXXI. My first thought with the opening is to go straight to college and pick off one of the best in the business there, but there are so many great assistants in the wings that the average fan doesn't know about. Are we likely to see the later, than the first to fill the ST coach roll?

The problem with that approach is college special teams are poles apart from the NFL. That's not to say it doesn't translate, but it's an entirely different game in many aspects (e.g. punt protection, field-goal formations and obviously the kickoff itself). Historically, NFL teams pursue coaches with NFL experience for coordinator roles.

Matthew from Dover, TN

How are y'all reacting as Micah Parsons and Barryn Sorrell are training together two months after Parsons' surgery?

It makes sense. Both call Texas home in the offseason and what better way to learn if you're Sorrell than staying on the hip pocket of a four-time All-Pro at your position. I love the approach Sorrell has taken to his career. He's a sponge. While every player coming off an ACL injury is ahead of schedule, Parsons continues to amaze me.

CJ from Wausau, WI

Greetings Wes, I'm curious how to hear about Rich Bisaccia's impact on Daniel Whelan. It seems like he was very raw when he arrived in GB with that big leg, and he's really turned into a premier punter.

Whelan has incredible physical tools, but young punters still must harness that ability. They don't just pop out of the womb dropping punts inside the 10. Even a draft pick like JK Scott struggled here before finding his footing with the Los Angeles Chargers. Whelan deserves credit for how he's perfected his game, but Bisaccia and Byron Storer were the coaches entrusted with his development in 2023. They succeeded.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

If Malik Willis get s $30 million and legit chance to start, how will that factor into the compensatory pick? He is a backup and what about the starter's we appear to be losing. Should we expect to receive several third- or fourth-rounders?

You get only one pick for losing an unrestricted free agent. But a hefty contract and Willis starting an entire season would give Green Bay a shot at a third-round compensatory selection. This is why I was so adamant about the Packers not trading Willis last year unless it was a king's ransom. You're still getting an early Day 3 pick simply from Willis signing elsewhere.

Jason from Austin, TX

I'm also speaking to myself when I say this, but we need to stop using whether or not a player went to the Pro Bowl as a metric for how good they are. All-Pro, sure, but the Pro Bowl is a popularity/meme contest. If I were a player, I would not want any of my contract incentives tied to the Pro Bowl.

I'm 100% in agreement with you. Jordan Love and Willis would have both made the Pro Bowl this year if the Packers played in the AFC.

Eric from Oshkosh, WI

"Stokes missed 22 games over his first four years." Okay, but Nate Hobbs missed 17 in his first four years. That's not much better. It seems like Stokes never seemed to fully recover from his injuries, and I guess the Packers just decided it wasn't worth the risk to do another year. But it's not like Hobbs was much healthier, and they paid him a lot of money to replace Stokes. I'm hoping he has a better second-year health wise. His play style seems aggressive.

The revisionist history among some fans regarding Stokes is starting to rival Casey Hayward at this point.

Kyle from St. Charles, MO

It appears the Packers have had the No. 1 overall draft pick twice. One slightly more successful than the other. In the midst of baloney season, let's pretend the Raiders "went al-in" after their 8-9 campaign two seasons ago and somehow the Packers ended up with their 2026 first-round pick. What do GMs Spoff, Hod and Gutey do?

It would have to be Rueben Bain Jr. for me.

Mark from Big Bear City, CA

Good morning Wes, just a quick question about Calais Campbell since he was with Gannon in Arizona do you think there's a chance the Packers might bring him in on an affordable price. His experience would be great for the younger players, and it would be fun to see what kind of schemes Jonathan Gannon could come up with him and Micah Parsons. Seems like there's a few good DL in free agency.

Campbell is like the defense's version of Marcedes Lewis. He just keeps chugging along, year after year. Campbell turns 40 before next season but his numbers were quite extraordinary for an 18th-year defensive tackle: 43 tackles (nine for a loss) and 6½ sacks while starting all 17 games.

Sam from Ramsey, MN

First the Kansas City Chiefs leave for...Kansas, and now it's looking more likely that the Chicago Bears will be joining such landmarks as the Gary Works and the Hammond Hard Rock in Indiana. It makes me happy, at least we won't see the Green Bay Packers trade Lambeau for Milwaukee or Madison anytime soon.

How this whole situation devolved with Chicago and Arlington Heights has to be one of the most fascinating things I've encountered in the NFL. I don't know what to make of it all. Maybe it's posturing. Maybe the Bears really move. But this staring contest between the franchise and the State of Illinois has lasted longer than I ever imagined.

Dan from Waupun, WI

You like watching fights. Do you ever watch bare-knuckle boxing? By the way, my wife can't stand to watch two ladies fighting. Me? It's great. Turn the NFL back to blood and mud.

I don't watch bare-knuckle. Not my cup of tea. I prefer the presence of wrestling and BJJ to neutralize strikers.

Bob from Rome, NY

Wes, Happy Friday! I understand coaches have to play to the strengths of a team, but with everything being equal, do you prefer a 3-4 or 4-3 defense? It has been mentioned that it is just a different alignment, but I prefer a 4-3 with one less offensive lineman uncovered. Your thoughts await! Thank you and GPG!

I like the 3-4. I feel like it puts premier nose tackles in the best position to make plays. But again, base defenses are used sparingly compared to 35 years ago. Most teams even have a run nickel they'll utilize in lieu of a set base scheme.

Florian from Kronach, Germany

With the scouting combine looming and Packers not having a first-round pick in the upcoming draft, will you do Prospect Primers nevertheless? Might be an even better guessing game who's available at 52!

I believe we will.

Gavin from Albuquerque, NM

As follow-ons to "Tommy Boy," please also make sure to check out "Strange Brew" and "Canadian Bacon," if you haven't already. Don't waste too much time on movies during PTO, though, family is always more important.

What I lack in Chris Farley and David Spade references, I make up for in John Candy knowledge. I think I've seen every film Candy made, including "Canadian Bacon." Legend doesn't even begin to cover it.

Jason from Buchanan, WI

Thank you for the history I asked for last week regarding this column. Vic is a great man and brilliantly started something that we all enjoy. He put this column into your care, and you both have filled those big flip flops! My question…to whom will you pass this torch when appropriate? No rush please! Happy 15th anniversary to all of II.

We're several years away from that yet, but I just assume it will be Elbow Culver.

Patrick from Ashland, WI

On fire today, Wes. If you are worried about being hit by a bus, just remember someone once wanted to jerk the wheel into a ... bridge abutment.

…we'll be in touch.

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