Inbox: It's time to get back to football business

K-Mart Stockboy from Racine, WI

KURT!!! I knew it was you!!!

It's on like Donkey Kong. Greetings from lovely Phoenix, Inboxers, where it's three times warmer than Green Bay.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

Welcome to the Valley of the Sun. What are some of the real hot topics the owners will " tackle" this week? You hit a good week weather-wise. Enjoy the Mexican food.

Thank you, Ray, and I did. I hit up Gallo Blanco after I got in Friday night. Phenomenal. It's time to get back to football business, though I expect it to be a quieter league meeting than the past few years. There aren't many hot-button issues. The NFL obviously will vote on Cleveland's proposal to allow teams to trade picks five years into the future, not just three. There also is a proposal from the competition committee to allow teams to declare an onside kick at any point in the game, not just the fourth quarter, and a motion to eliminate the kicking team's incentive to intentionally kick the ball out of bounds when kicking off from the 50-yard line to place the ball at the 25. That's pretty much does it.

Benjamin from Bear, DE

Like millions of Packers fans across our great nation, I remember losing a game in Seattle on a blatantly horrible TD call by the replacement refs! With that said, is there any update on the current contract negotiations going on between the owners and refs? I hope the owners learned their lesson. The NFL is too good of a product to be regulated with replacement referees.

Yes and no. The NFL has seen firsthand how problematic a referee strikeout/lockout can be on the game and is drafting contingency plans that would allow the league office to review any egregious calls if replacement referees are needed. Hopefully, it doesn't come to that. NFL owners will discuss it this week in Arizona.

Kay from Lynchburg, VA

Expectations for draft?

This draft loses pomp and circumstance because the Packers don't have a first-round pick, but it's still gonna be a lot of fun. Brian Gutekunst has been on a heater with second-round picks, and that No. 52 selection is firmly in the limelight. With seven picks, Green Bay still has the firepower to replenish the coffers.

Connor from Minnetrista, MN

Who's the most likely to step up on the edge other than Lukas Van Ness and Micah Parsons?

Take your pick, Connor. I think we've talked about everyone at this point. But I like the fact there isn't an edge rusher on the roster older than 26 years old, including Parsons. Nothing between them but air and opportunity.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, how does the track record for the Packers drafting players they had in for visits compare with the rest of the NFL? My guess is the visits are an indicator, and seeing teams use the visit as a discriminator only makes sense. It would also make sense certain visits reveal the player is not a fit for GB, but that aspect is not something we could ever know for certain, hey?

I bet the Packers rank among the league leaders when it comes to drafting players they brought in on visits. I'm actually surprised when Green Bay selects a player and he says he didn't take a visit here. The Packers have always loved "top-30" visits, but Gutekunst has been more proactive at bringing in top draft picks than Ted Thompson. The organization feels visits are important to better understand the person and also double-check medicals.

John from Saint Paul, MN

I see the Packers might draft a wide receiver. Isn't that room crowded enough?

For now, John. But Matthew Golden and Savion Williams are the only receivers under contract for 2027.

Herb from Mosier, OR

We all know the Packers will draft a defensive tackle this April. In fact, I think it will be their first or second draft pick. So, in order for me to do meaningful research (before the draft), please explain the different defensive line positions (e.g., zero technique, two tech, three tech…etc.). Which of these positions are we most likely to draft? BTW, AICBW, perhaps you could do most successful submissions by state or region. I'm promoting myself as PNW leader. FYI, I moved to Mosier, OR from Sheboygan.

When we talk about (Insert number here) technique, it refers to where the defensive lineman is on the line of scrimmage. A zero tech is directly over the center, a one-tech defensive tackle lines up on the center's outside shoulder, two on the guard and three on outside shoulder of guard and so on. I feel like the Packers could use another one-tech nose tackle. That's my pick.

Mary from Scottsdale, AZ

What's one thing Packers fans should be paying more attention to right now that they're probably overlooking?

The capability of this football team to improve from within.

Nik from Moore, SC

With Rich Bisaccia gone, has Matt LaFleur named an assistant head coach? ATMR, which I did zero, I noticed its usually not an offensive or defensive coordinator, but a position coach or special teams coach. Is this true around the league and if so, why?

"ATMR, which I did zero, …" might be a T-shirt. Every coach manages assistant head coach titles differently. LaFleur split the assistant HC duties between the offense (Luke Getsy) and defense (DeMarcus Covington). I personally like the idea of putting two venerable assistants in positions of distinction on their respective side of the ball rather than having a single individual hold that title.

Elwood form New London, WI

So, what kind of compensation pick will the Pack get for Rasheed Walker?

Over The Cap estimates the Packers would have received a seventh-round pick for Walker, but his contract ranked fifth out of the unrestricted free agents who departed. So, Green Bay likely wouldn't have gotten anything for Walker if they hadn't signed Benjamin St-Juste. Instead, those contracts now cancel each other out. Fascinating, right? Comp picks are the game within the draft game. Before you ask, OTC has Green Bay receiving fourths for Malik Willis and Romeo Doubs, a fifth for Quay Walker and a sixth for Kingsley Enagbare.

Donn from Oshkosh, WI

What was the longest field goal kicked by Mason Crosby at Lambeau Field?

I assume you mean made field goal. Coincidentally, it came during Crosby's penultimate game with the Packers in the form of a 56-yard field goal that popped off the crossbar and through the uprights against Minnesota on January 1, 2023.

Roger from West Bend, WI

I have looked at Cliff Christl’s recent article on longest field goal in Lambeau history several times. I can't figure out from the chart he provides why Lucas Havrisik is not on there with his 61-yarder from last year? I'm perhaps missing something.

Because he didn't make it at Lambeau Field. Havrisik's 61-yarder happened down the road here in Scottsdale.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Wes, you and Spoff appear to have a great working relationship, utilizing the "divide and conquer" approach to your many duties. Still, there has to be some satisfaction to flying this plane solo in Spoff's absence as you've done for the past week or so. Do you enjoy the extra workload, or merely endure it?

I enjoy it – and all of you – but there is a reason we're the only team website that runs a Q&A five days a week in the offseason.

Tony from Chanhassen, MN

With all the recent conversation about fixing tanking in the NBA, I have to say, I am surprised that the NFL does not have a lottery. I'm not arguing that it's needed, though I do remember "Suck for Luck" being a thing, but it would be another event they can market. I could totally see them pushing free agency back two weeks and on the weekend before free agency used to start having an NFL lottery. Imagine the ratings that would draw!

On a long enough timeline, we probably see the NFL move to lottery system. But I wonder if this has not been a larger topic of conversation because seemingly every year a team loses hold of the No. 1 pick because it wins otherwise meaningless games in the weeks of the season (e.g. the Giants this past year).

Grant from Green Bay, WI

Scouting is such a strange thing. On the one hand, I absolutely believe Wes when he says things like, "I'm sure NFL teams and personnel departments grind the film well enough to know the type of quarterback they are investing in regardless of what the numbers say." But then I'm scratching my head reading about teams who love the size of a left tackle's hands or struggle to decide whether or not Josh Johnson is good enough to be a backup QB or not. Talk about an inexact science.

Quarterbacks make NFL teams do funny things. I had a similar thought when the Bears re-signed Case Keenum to a two-year, $5.5 million deal (despite already paying Tyson Bagent to be their No. 2) and the Saints adding Zach Wilson despite still having Spencer Rattler.

Dave from Germantown, TN

If a player is designated as a post-June 1 cut, can he sign a contract with a new team before June 1?

Yes. The Packers cut Nate Hobbs with a post-June 1 designation, and he signed with San Francisco days later.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

Wes, the points of debate between the NFL and the NFLRA haven't been reported. If you were to guess, what do you think they may be? Perhaps: 1. Revenue share. 2. League intervention/technology on calls on the field. 3. Accountability. A fourth one I would love (but maybe unlikely) is the drum Pat McAfee has been drumming about a former player pipeline to becoming refs, like the way the NFL helps players get into broadcasting. It's a great idea, but perhaps that is seen a threat to current refs?

If there's an impasse in any labor negotiation, money is part of it. Anyone who says differently is gaslighting you. Per ESPN's Kevin Seifert, there's been push back from the NFLRA on the NFL's initiative to improve official performance. The truth is out there somewhere. Hopefully, the matter is resolved before league officiating becomes a bigger migraine than it already is.

Tim from Augusta, WI

On Friday, Wes stated the following: "You cannot withdraw cash if there's nothing in your checking." I don't have a question, but that information certainly answers a few. II, making life better in every area. PS. Would you pass this information on to a reader's wife? Asking for a friend.

I'll leave that one to you, Tim. I have a perfectly healthy cheek I'd rather not redden.

Donald from Philadelphia, PA

I know I'm a couple of days late, but I'd like to submit another II accomplishment to aim for (maybe?). I swear I'm not trying to brag, and maybe this is more common than I think, but a few years ago, I got a direct email from Mike after submitting a question that he also answered in the Inbox. Talk about a super cool interaction! I got to tell my family and all my friends who are Packers fans that the editor of packers.com sent me an email! And a polite one at that!

Getting a direct email from Spoff is like Inbox's version of a speakeasy.

Mark from Minneapolis, MN

Right knee is new again!! Met with Charge Nurse, Jacki, again this morning and she appreciated my input. Transitioning to two gel packs/gait straps on one knee, after each procedure included one of each. Looking forward to '26 Prospect Primer, Draft, and '26 Outsider Inbox!!!! Great coverage of Bob Harlan, who positively impacted so many people while growing the franchise. I want to finish listening to Kevin's interviews, as I'm now in bed jail for two weeks.

Hang in there, Mark. You'll be running marathons again in no time. Like his father before him, Kevin Harlan is a humble legend. The man calls a nail-biter between St. John's and Kansas, hops on a redeye and emcees his father's Celebration of Life inside the Lambeau Field Atrium. Kevin did a remarkable job, too. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to his conversations with Ed Policy, Mark Murphy, Ron Wolf, and Mike McCarthy.

Richard from Farmington Hills, MI

Gavin from Albuquerque, NM is not the only one with a record of past published submissions. I have a Word document with all 49 of mine, complete with the question and answer, beginning in 2012. My last one was just last week regarding Bob Harlan finally getting a place on the facade. I know several other Insider devotees have far more than me, but have they kept track of theirs? Let's make this No. 50!

Dang…you guys do take this thing seriously.

Marie from Oshkosh, WI

Hi II, first-time submission. This for Kurt from Sartell…why the bite out a sandwich? I laughed!

Maybe K-Mart didn't have a grocery section yet or maybe Kurt wanted to send a message, just like Don Corleone leaving a horse head in Jack Woltz's bed. All right, folks. LaFleur is set to talk this morning in Arizona at the NFC coaches breakfast. We'll have a full recap on packers.com.

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