Inbox: In a league of noise, they trust their way

Michelle from Andover, MN

Larry asked on "Three Things" if AI will replace play-calling or draft board rankings,
While answer was a clear no, AI will keep trying,
While others chase splash in free‑agent tides, Green Bay speaks softly – lets discipline guide,
Cap flexibility, long games ahead,
Thinking not Sunday – but January instead,
So, three things I learned in the desert this week: Green Bay stays steady while others go streaked,
In a league of noise, they still trust their way,
And somehow it keeps working in Titletown, USA.

I'm pretty certain this is the first time we've led Inbox with a poem, but it's deserved. I enjoyed the line "In a league of noise, they trust their way." It's true. The Packers go against the grain with regularity whether it's how they build their football team, front office, etc. They are an ant climbing up a cold mountain. Green Bay has been doing it that way since the beginning while also being one of the NFL's winningest organizations.

Thomas from LaCrescent, MN

Enjoy the comments you brought from the top brass. Cohesiveness from the generals gives the Pack a chance from the opening game. Arguably the fans are given enough hope each year to expect a result that makes for an exciting season. GPG!

The Packers want to win a Super Bowl just as badly as all of you, but chasing destiny requires talent, synergy and relentless.

Matt from Fitchburg, WI

I have to disagree with Micah Parsons being the ultimate return on investment. I think it's too early to tell. We didn't get a Super Bowl last year, and there's no guarantee he's going to be the same player after his ACL tear. As we sit in that place of uncertainty, we now don't have a first-rounder the next two drafts. Could he come back dominant and push us over the edge? Certainly. But he could also come back less effective with the Pack being hampered with no first-round picks for two years.

But you don't know until you find out, Matt. But Micah Parsons came as advertised and that was my point. He was a finalist for NFL Defensive Player of the Year and exactly what the Packers needed him to be. I'd rather have that bird in the hand moving forward than the two draft hiding somewhere in the bush.

John from McHenry, IL

In my mind, the No. 1 issue for the 2026 season is solving the second-half collapses. The draft and free agency are not nearly as important in my mind as the end game issue. Is it because opposing coaches adjust and we don't or is it a stamina issue? Do you disagree that this is the No. 1 issue?

Everyone agrees that's the No. 1 wrinkle the Packers are working to iron. To LaFleur's credit, he was honest in sharing his thoughts on the matter Monday morning but ultimately, it's up to the players and coaches to produce results later this year. But yes, all the above is your answer.

Bruce from Appleton, WI

Will the Packers be drafting a running back this year?

To quote Brian Gutekunst on Monday afternoon, "There's guys we really like (on the roster) but I'm sure there will be more competition to come." Sure, it might be worth taking a shot on Day 3 running back to compete with MarShawn Lloyd and Pierre Strong Jr. for RB3.

Don from Thompson, ND

Looking at young players who because of injury or buried because of a deep position group have not seen the field, I am intrigued by John Williams and Isaiah Neyor as possible young guys who may start to ascend. Do you have a couple of guys that you feel may be ready for larger roles?

You picked a solid pair. John Williams is a big dude. It's too bad that the back injury wiped out his rookie season because he looks like an NFL guard who was the best player on his Cincinnati offensive line. I can't wait to learn more about him this spring. Neyor has the frame. He just arrived a bit too late in the summer.

Sean from Palatine, IL

Good morning, Wes! OverTheCap and other sites estimate what the compensatory pick formula is and get pretty darn close, but not perfect. Does the NFL share the secret Krabby Patty compensatory formula with teams or are the teams guesstimating like the rest of us?

They use history as their guide, though the formula seems to prioritize average per year (APY) value of contracts. OTC does a great job of projecting picks, but this was the first year I remember where they missed slightly. It had Green Bay getting two seventh-round compensatory picks all offseason and the Packers wound up with one.

Tim from Olathe, KS

Wes, those of us in the Kansas City area are quite familiar with Skyy Moore. He was a second-round pick and possessed some Desmond Howard-like qualities. Unfortunately, he lost his confidence when he struggled fielding punts cleanly, could not get on the same page as Patrick Mahomes, and simply became a forgotten man. If ever someone needed a chance of scenery, it was Moore. I doubt Moore will add much as a WR, but he is capable of winning games on special teams like Howard did.

It does feel like Moore found something like year in San Francisco whether it's a matter of confidence, experience or simply a young player coming into his own.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

I am really happy with the Moore signing. He is a specialist at returning both kicks and punts, so there is to the point at a player knowing his role. I did not realize it but there seem to be other examples – Sean Rhyan staying at center and Jordan Morgan at LT – of players knowing their roles, Gute and ML really are on that same page.

Credit Morgan and Rhyan because both played right guard in 2024 despite the fact it turned out to neither lineman's best position. Morgan and Rhyan still kept their heads down and pressed forward without complaint. When opportunity was presented this past year, Morgan and Rhyan seized it in their own way. Morgan is gonna surprise some people this year, too.

Dave from Gwinn, MI

So, unable to pay a top HB/WR concurrently, and with the ability to draft or sign a couple UDFA HBs/WRs every year (since Vic), wouldn't putting the vast majority of your high picks and money (other than QB and LT) towards the defensive side seem prudent? Prioritize re-signing and developing defensive players (maybe OL, too) but let the chips fall where they may on offense. I think back to Cincy/Dallas, who always seem to have a couple great WRs, yet never win their division.

That may be a bit bold, but my mantra has always been to prioritize QB, left tackle, cornerback and edge rusher. If you don't have premier players at those spots, then you can get a little more creative. But if a team heavily invests in a different position, it makes it harder to lock down a franchise QB, LT, CB and EDGE.

Jerry from Fort Wayne, IN

How much does experience on collegiate special teams contribute to a draftee's value/fit? Beyond the ST "skill" positions, I'd think experience blocking/tackling/gunning on in that critical third phase would indicate a player's winning attitude and ability (just ask Coach Cignetti). What say you and the Pack?

It's great if you can find a few players like that, but the problem is most NFL players in power-four conferences don't major in special teams in college. Once they carve out a role on offense or defense, that's typically where they stay. In Green Bay, some of the best special teams players I remember are guys who were multiyear starters at the collegiate level but kept working at it in the pros.

Brian from Cumming, GA

Do you see the Packers doing anything else in free agency? For what Jadaveon Clowney cost last year, I don't know how we don't sign him. He is a decent pass-rusher, and very good against the run. He was a one-year, $3.5 million player. Seems too obvious.

Did anyone else find it strange, though, that Dallas sent a fourth-round pick to Green Bay for Rashan Gary (and assumed his contract) rather than just re-signing Clowney? Gary is younger and it wouldn't surprise me at all if he has a career year in 2026, but I just found that quizzical the Cowboys let Clowney walk after he over exceeded my relatively modest expectations for him.

Mark from Big Bear City, CA

Good morning, Wes. I was just wondering when you were saying yesterday about laughing at submissions if you got a chuckle at my "Baloney Bait." I liked the comeback that the deli was officially open. One more question, so if the Packers wait till after the draft and pick up another street FA, it doesn't count against our comp picks?

Correctamundo.

Chris from West Allis, WI

I have a question related to "keeping up financially," does the NFL profit sharing fully cover the salary cap? If so, that would mean even a team doing poorly financially should be able to compete (for players, at least) assuming they break even in the other areas. If not, could we see a day where an NFL team spends significantly under the cap solely because they don't have the money?

Yes, but you still gotta have the cash in the coffers to get record-breaking contracts done while every NFL owner expects member clubs to make the most amount of money possible. It's one thing to fit Parsons and Jordan Love under the salary cap, but that's real money. You have to factor in those signing and roster bonuses while also minding your bottom line every April.

Matthew from Clarkston, MI

With the discussion on receiver contracts going up, do you think Vic's "dime a dozen" is still valid?

It might be a quarter now with inflation.

Tim from Windsor, CO

Hi Wes. Curious where you, LaFleur and Gutekunst are hanging out in Phoenix? If not the three of you, whom do each of you socialize with for happy hour? Cheers!

We were here at the Biltmore all week. The coolest thing for me was seeing Mike McCarthy. He's one of my all-time favorites and it's odd to go from seeing him on a daily basis to once or twice a year. I'm glad he's doing well. You can feel how much this opportunity in Pittsburgh means to him.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

What's one thing that genuinely surprised you to learn at an NFL owner's meeting?

How tall Kevin O'Connell is.

Keith from Dodgeville, WI

Guys, I have access to the fitness center at the company that I worked for after my retirement. Can you two use the team's fitness facility with the players?

We have a small fitness center in our neck of the woods that has everything my unathletic body requires. I also have a membership to the lovely Packers Athletic Club when I feel like pulling something.

Mike from New Orleans, LA

I wonder if the possible replacement officials, and the corresponding replay system revamp will finally marry the two in the way II has been asking for years. Maybe some good will come out of all this after all.

I'm holding on and waiting for answers, but I think a lot of positives came out of the league meetings as it relates to officiating. I do think it's a massive opportunity for growth, though, for the NFL and NFLRA if common sense prevails.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

How does Golden Tate claim simultaneous possession when his face was stuck on the defender's back?

That dude is lying through his shoulders.

Glenn from Sherman, IL

Wes, I heard your name mentioned on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday. It was probably during Happy Hour.

That was awesome. It was wonderful to meet Ty Schmit in human form on Monday night. He is salt of the earth.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Lots of discussion about II submitter milestones. In football, it's one play at a time, regardless of the scoreboard. In golf, it's one shot at a time regardless of the scorecard. When submitting to the Inbox, it's simply, "Ask a relevant question and let the chips fall where they may!"

That's how Al stays a four-handicap on this Inbox course.

Josh from Playa Majagual, Nicaragua

WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!!! The boss is only gone for a few days and right away you break the first rule of Inbox by answering how many questions you receive per day. I hope Mike sends you across the street to spend your Saturday power-washing the fence as your punishment.

You should've seen how many times Doug sent that question before I broke down and posted it. That woulda really kinked Spoff's hose. Speaking of the Platteville Prince, Mike is back tomorrow while I catch this plane back to Wisconsin.

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