Inbox: He's all-business and business is good

Mark from Albany, NY

Do you get the sense that Romeo Doubs enjoys playing for the Packers? Personally, I absolutely love Doubs. He has been a clutch player for us, and I really like his demeanor every time I hear him interviewed. He seems like a team player who doesn't seek personal glory. I know there was some kerfuffle for missing some practice last season, but I don't know much about that other than what I've read, and don't know if his side of the story is any different. Thanks for the insight as always!

Doubs has been quite clear on what it means to him to play for the Packers and his role in the receiver room. This place gave him an opportunity to play right away as a rookie fourth-round pick in 2022 and he seized it. Doubs is a straight-forward, mild-mannered dude but don't confuse that with ambivalence. What you see is what you get with No. 87. He's all-business and business is good.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Wes, nice article on Aaron Banks! As I think of some recent Packers free agent acquisitions (Josh Jacobs, Xavier McKinney, the Smith Brothers, and Adrian Amos), they have elevated their games with Green Bay. While there is lots of credit to go around for these success stories, how do you split the credit between scouts/GM, coaches, and fellow players?

While credit goes to the individual players and the coaches helping develop them, I'm blown away by Brian Gutekunst's and his scouts' knack for finding free agents with their best football still ahead of them. Hopefully, Aaron Banks and Nate Hobbs turn out to be the next Xavier McKinney, Za'Darius Smith or Keisean Nixon.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

When Mike goes crappie fishing, does that mean the jig is up?

The first thing I thought at 2:17 p.m. CT.

James from Clarkston, MI

Well, Oct. 26, 2025, certainly just got interesting.

It always has been. This just feels like the official press release. The NFL gets what its wants. Aaron Rodgers facing both the Packers (in Week 8) and Jets (in Week 1) should make for good theater.

Phil from Marietta, GA

In the Thursday Inbox, there was a discussion of past late round/undrafted players who had a big impact with GB. So, the obvious next part of the conversation is…who's next? I'm picking Brenton Cox Jr.. He was a five-star recruit in college and absolutely has all the physical tools needed to excel. He was undrafted for purported personality issues, and those seem to be behind him. He flashed at the end of last year and I think he'll be big for the Pack this season. Your pick or thoughts?

Regular readers know my thoughts on Cox, but I'm most excited to watch what he can do with more opportunities against the No. 1 offense this summer. It'd been a grind for him to get those reps the past two years. Cox put out some good film late last season and has earned the right to play a bigger role on defense moving forward.

Steve from Hurricane, UT

During camp, we always talk about the UDFAs that might make the team and have an impact like Tramon Williams did. Who was the highest draft pick (No. 1 being the highest) you remember or can research that didn't make the initial roster? Are 1 through 6 basically a given?

In the Gutekunst era, the highest rookie draft pick the Packers have cut at the end of training camp is Green Bay native Cole Van Lanen (sixth round, No. 214). Ted Thompson notoriously cut fourth-round pick Cory Rodgers in 2006, and he never played in an NFL game.

Todd from Colorado Springs, CO

It is quite apparent that the NFL is going to continue to play games overseas. Are the stadiums going to be maintained to NFL standards? Last year in game one we had significant injuries to star players that probably affected overall team performance all year long. Injuries can happen anywhere but did improperly maintained fields increase the risk factor?

I don't want rehash the Brazil game, but field conditions need to be a serious part of the discussion whenever the NFL is looking to schedule games in a new market.

Jay from Land O' Lakes, FL

Guys, the two players who intrigue me the most are MarShawn Lloyd and Lukas Van Ness. Both will need to play at their very best to remain on the team. Let's face it, we all expect the proven players to excel, else we lose big. Prove it players can be the most interesting. Who else is on your prove-it list?

"Prove-it" isn't the right qualifier, but Lloyd is such an intriguing player. As Matt LaFleur discussed this week, the Packers have seen enough in practice to know what Lloyd can bring to the offense, but ultimately you gotta do it on the grass. Hopefully, Lloyd can start building some momentum. Colby Wooden is another guy with a massive opportunity in front of him after T.J. Slaton's departure.

Ryan from Centre Hall, PA

Considering the loss of T.J. Slaton in free agency, can you comment on the run defense and how it relates to size? I'm genuinely curious as to how important is it to have an effective 330-pound nose tackle on the roster. Is the 15-pound difference of Kenny Clark and Warren Brinson significant, or is it not so much about weight as it is how much power a player plays with? Either way, it will be interesting to see if Nazir Stackhouse can work his way onto the roster.

Slaton had crazy athleticism for a man his size, but his play went beyond that. By Year 4, he refined his technique into a well-rounded football player. That's the challenge right now for Devonte Wyatt, Wooden, Karl Brooks and the young guys looking to carve out a steady role on the defensive interior. I get they don't tip the scales at 330 pounds, but they're still big, athletic dudes who can play the run and work in concert with the linebackers behind them.

Keith from Dodgeville, WI

Guys, I loved your story about the defensive line getting together to watch film and hang out. Are just the vets involved or are the rookies involved also?

It's open to everyone, but Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary taking the lead is a big deal because veterans are usually the guys heading out of town every weekend. Most rookies and first-year players stick around to utilize all the amenities at Lambeau Field. It says a lot about the character of players and their desire to get the most out of the offseason program.

Conner from Tucson, AZ

Howdy II. Been a while since I've asked a question but appreciate all the work you do to get us through the off season. I read your article where it mentioned Kenny Clark entering his 10th NFL season at age 29. So, he was draft-eligible at 19 years old? And a first-round talent at 19? Future member of the Packers Hall of Fame!

Clark was 20 years old (and more specifically, 20 years and six months), which still makes him the youngest player the Packers have drafted. He also was the youngest player taken the first round in 2016. Clark has had a hell of a career and still has a long way to go.

Mark from Greenville, SC

I recently read an interesting article about the benefit to the Packers of Rasheed Walker being the starting left tackle this year. Should they let him go to free agency after the season, the salaries for left tackles would net them a third-round compensatory pick. If the battle at that position is tight, could that be a determining factor?

I doubt it. The Packers must put their best five on the field this year to have the best shot at winning a Super Bowl. If that's Walker locking down left tackle again, then great. If Jordan Morgan emerges, that speaks volumes of the 2024 first-round pick's performance over the summer. Either way, the Packers will need both to traverse the 2025 season.

Ummy from Two Rivers, WI

When discussing the kickoff, I say go back to the old way. The players bought their ticket into the NFL. They knew what they were getting into. I say, let 'em crash! Now get off my lawn.

They may say that today, Ummy…but what about tomorrow?

Bob from Emmaus, PA

The Packers new draft class seems to be bigger, faster and stronger and they also appear to be smarter and more media savvy in their interviews. Is this the result of more maturity or NIL where players get to spend more time working with the media?

Social media has been such a game-changer with how incoming rookies understand content creation and consumption. Shoot, Brinson had his own podcast at Georgia. The Packers have drafted a lot of high-character, well-spoken individuals, but this generation understands how powerful it is to develop your brand and identity.

Dennis from Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Assuming Christian Watson hasn't lost a step when he returns, how do you see MLF using Watson and Matthew Golden? Both on the field at once? Both running deep to really open up the middle? Or?

All the above? First and foremost, Watson has to get healthy. Once cleared, Watson could be used in tandem and Golden to give defensive coordinators a real headache. Both threaten defenses downfield with their speed and athleticism. Just imagine what's possible when partnered together.

Jim from Tucson, AZ

Scouts. We hear about their work, but never about them. Are they full-time employees? Do they live in Green Bay or the area scouted? Are most of them retired players?

They come from all walks of life. The Packers' personnel department ranges from high school coaches to former NFL players. Most of the top executives and scouting assistants are based in Green Bay while college scouts typically live in their region of the country.

Gary from Crivitz, WI

What have you seen and what can you tell me about this young quarterback from Canada?

We haven't seen too much yet from Taylor Elgersma as QB4, but he is a big kid with a big arm.

Matt from Fitchburg, WI

I wholeheartedly agree about not using taxpayer dollars to fund stadiums for billionaires. I feel that Green Bay is an entirely unique situation, however. Not only for the reason Mike mentioned, but also because the team isn't owned by a single person that is using the stadium and players as a tax write-off to further enrich themselves. You might be able to argue that Green Bay is the lone exception in an otherwise gross practice that further grows the wealth disparity gap.

New stadiums and wide-scale renovations are sticky subjects because owners know they hold leverage over their city and often use it. Don't want to chip in for a new stadium? Well, I'll threaten relocation, and it doesn't even need to be out of state/region (e.g. the Chicago Bears and Arlington Heights). Whatever feelings you may have about the 2003 renovations, it's shortsighted to compare the Packers and Lambeau to the Las Vegas Raiders and Allegiant. Frankly, H.R. couldn't have picked two NFL teams more dissimilar within the framework of the argument.

Kenton from Rochester, MN

Just because one doesn't want (or can't afford) to see the inside of that taxpayer-supported stadium, doesn't mean you and your community haven't benefited from it. The thousands of outsiders coming in to spend their money in restaurants, hotels and parking will raise salaries and property values throughout the area, which results in higher tax revenues which fund local schools, parks and other civic projects. And the smaller the city (e.g. GB), the bigger the relative impact. So there.

Bullseye.

Isaac from Columbia, TN

All this talk of injuries and depth reminded me of what I think was a Vic-ism: "Your team isn't hurt until your quarterback is hurt." I don't know if I have the wording exactly right. But do you agree with the thought?

Depends on the quarterback.

Dan from Inver Grove Heights, MN

"Just another Beloit"? As a proud Beloit College alum, I have to take excep... er, um, well... I mean the school was great. Hey, at least it's not Rockford.

Rockford has an airport, though.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

Wes, buddy, I swear sometimes someone made you a bet that you can't get a specific word into "Unscripted." You are the KING of analogies and I'm here for it. One of my favorite things. I bet you a case of root beer you can't do "platypus."

There's no gambling in Bushwood but challenge accepted.

CJ from Waxahachie, TX

This column provides a daily football fix during the offseason that I'm immensely grateful for. You two have a way of shutting down nonsense in a tactful manner that I find refreshing in this overreactive clickbait world we live in. It would appear the Packers value high-character writers as well as players. I hope they know what they have in you two. From the bottom of my heart thank you for the work you put in for the fans.

I'm just happy to be here; hope I can help the ball club. I just want to give it my best shot and the good Lord willing, things will work out (Thank you, CJ).

Mike from Granite City, IL

Mike's quote of another journalist, "Do you know what Green Bay becomes without the Packers? Just another Beloit" made me smile. In 1919, the Beloit Fairies beat the Packers 6-0, giving the Packers their only defeat for a 10-1 record that season. However, Beloit could not keep their team. GB did.

Thank goodness it did. Have a great weekend, everyone.

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