Inbox: Maybe it is destiny

Dylan from Amery, WI

We're in the goldarn Insider Inbox, boys. I don't know about any of you, but I've been waiting my whole morning to read this, and I'll be damned if I'm gonna act like my best pig died just because we ain't got a defensive coordinator. I love to talk about the Packers, and I'll bet, somewhere along the line, you all did, too.

Sympathies to the swine.

Markus from Aurora, CO

What's going on at 1265 these days? Obviously, no football games, sadly...

You mean other than the negative-17-degree temperatures with 30-below wind chill?

Jon from Temecula, CA

Until today, I had never heard of the stat "adjusted games missed," which measures the impact of injured players on a team. According to sports info solutions, the teams with the least games missed due to injury this year, in order, are Patriots, Rams, Seahawks, Cowboys, and Broncos. Really paints a picture of this year's offseason.

Huh…go figure.

Aaron from Tucson, AZ

Good morning, II! On the topic of progress and stagnation, yes GB has had the seventh seed for three straight years, but progress is rarely, if ever, linear. The fact that the Packers have been consistently in the playoffs is eons ahead of most NFL organizations. Playoff success requires good fortune and playing well at the right time. GB just hasn't had the right mix of both in recent years, but it's always in it. Every person in that locker room is a winner, and I sense a breakthrough coming. GPG

It's understandable to demand more from your sports teams. As an organization, the Packers hold themselves to that same standard. The goal here has always been to win championships, not just football games. But if you make a significant change, you also must acknowledge that it doesn't guarantee greater success. It could push your team forward but also could set you back. The Packers have championship aspirations next season and feel Matt LaFleur is the best man to help get them there.

Darren from Wakefield, MI

Hi Wes. I'm not wrong in feeling getting this defensive coordinator thing right is important, correct? It's a big deal. Let us remember before Jeff Hafley came on board. Also, you mentioned QB2 needs. Where do you see the Packers have that priority should they consider the draft? Second round? Wait to get a Brock Purdy? D needs folks, too, so it will be interesting.

Make no mistake, this is a huge hire for LaFleur. The defensive coordinator pretty much has full autonomy in Green Bay and Hafley's successor will be expected to keep the defensive momentum flowing. As far as QB2, I think it has to be a late Day 3 pick. Green Bay has more pressing needs to address in Rounds 2-4.

Casey from Madison, WI

Hello Insiders. With all the talk of the importance of getting a home playoff game, I was wondering how many times both of the No. 1 seeds have made it to the Super Bowl since the seventh playoff team was added.

Since expanding to a 14-team playoff in 2021, the only two No. 1 seeds to meet in the Super Bowl were Kansas City and Philadelphia at the end of the 2022 season.

Joe from Harrisburg, SD

"...but the Packers have a serious championship window the next two years." Wes, I've heard this mentioned a few times and I'm wondering what the reason for someone is to think that it closes in 2028. We'll still hopefully have a solid core of players in their prime years. I know teams can't afford to keep everyone but a team with Jordan Love, Tucker Kraft, Micah Parsons, Edgerrin Cooper, Zach Tom, etc. as a core to build around sure looks like the window would be far from jammed shut.

It's not that the window will close that year, but the cap numbers for Love and Parsons both shoot up after the 2027 season. That cost could be negated by wherever the NFL salary cap raises at that point, but these next two years are where Green Bay can capitalize the most on a young roster entering its prime years.

John from Spring Hill, TN

What are the criteria for NFL Comeback Player of the Year? If Parsons has the year he expects and we hope for next year, will he be eligible?

For sure. Even if Parsons returns in September, I think that only boosts his chances even further behind another All-Pro campaign.

Herb from Mosier, OR

Hi Wes. Please explain the NFL compensatory process. Also, address your crystal ball and give us your best guesses for additional picks for the Packers.

Spoff alluded to this last week, but I'll lay it out again. The compensatory process is a net-loss formula where extra draft picks are awarded to teams that lose more valuable unrestricted free agents than they sign. It's based primarily off the average-per-year value of contracts, but playing time and awards are also considered. A team can receive up to four picks, plus additional picks for diversity general manager and head coaching hires.

Scott from Sauk City, WI

Just wanted to throw a little love towards Romeo Doubs (see what I did there?). For me, he's priority No. 1 to re-sign. I think he's been the most consistent guy on the team and seemed like he was always making big time catches. He's probably gonna get a better offer elsewhere, but man, a full season of healthy Doubs, Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden and Tucker Kraft catching passes? Whew.

Doubs was a real find for the Packers in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He's sort of like this era's James Jones. Doubs hasn't had more than 800 receiving yards in a single season but was vital to the passing game the past four years. Doubs is going to have a healthy market for his services. He's a well-rounded and accountable wideout in a league starved for well-rounded and accountable wideouts.

Josh from Nicaragua

Is this the most head-coach openings in one off season? I can't recall a year with this much turnover.

Kinda. This year tied the NFL record for head-coach vacancies, matching 2022, 2006, 1997 and 1978. The fact we reached 10 openings for the second time in five years speaks to the pressure head coaches face to win in today's NFL.

Joe from Swansea, IL

This time of year, I especially appreciate the Packers' ownership structure (read: No egotistical, impatient, impulsive owner). I can't believe what happened in Buffalo and a couple other NFL cities, and I think we should remind ourselves how lucky we are to be Packers fans. GPG!

You can own a football team, but you can't buy leadership and trust. I think the biggest lesson I learned from Mark Murphy is that if you hire good people and let them do their jobs, good things are bound to happen.

Max from Toledo, OH

Sam Darnold was not much until he landed in Minnesota. Now he is doing well in Seattle. Did he improve or did the offensive lines make him better? Mike McCarthy made a comment about "Is the OL ready for the QB?" I believe in that comment. What are your thoughts about OL play?

First, I wouldn't start a rookie quarterback unless your team has a capable offensive line. If that means waiting a year to build both up, so be it. How many times have we seen a young QB's career gets derailed before it even starts because of protection issues? Darnold was a victim of that in New York and probably Carolina to an extent. He found his way in San Francisco and is now showing his true potential.

Gui from Brazil

Do any of the other coordinators work with each other in tandem in training specific things? For example, Adam Stenavich was/is one of the best ever to work as an OL coach, but I'm sure he's swamped at OC now, but given how long he worked and how good the OL was under him, do they ever communicate with each other for expertise?

Luke Butkus leads the position, but Stenavich still spends a lot of time with the offensive linemen. LaFleur was asked in November about the arrangement and said Stenavich is in the O-line room "every day."

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

I really think the packers need a speed back to complement Josh Jacobs. Is MarShawn Lloyd still in the Packers plans or do you think they may explore a speed guy in the mid to late rounds?

I love MarShawn. He's a really good dude and a talented football player. Based on everything that's happened, though, I think the Packers gotta plan beyond his presence and view anything he adds to the backfield this summer as a bonus. Green Bay returns Chris Brooks but has a big call to make on Emanuel Wilson, who's a restricted free agent.

Gary from Davenport, IA

Wes, whom should we be rooting for in this weekend's AFC Championship game? It's obvious to root for the Rams on the NFC side because of Davante Adams and the fact that Seattle hasn't been forgiven for a certain unmentionable game. But it's a little trickier on the AFC side. New England had the common courtesy to lose to the Packers in the Super Bowl, while Denver did not. Plus, Eliot Wolf is with the Patriots. But the Patriots have won too often lately, so that's why I'd like your opinion.

I'm pulling for the Broncos and Marcedes Lewis. Even if Lewis isn't elevated from the practice squad for Sunday, it'd still be cool to see him end his 20-year NFL career with his team advancing to the Super Bowl. Jarrett Stidham coming off the bench and randomly beating the Pats also entices me.

Greg from Big Lake, MN

I understand the sentiment of some who would like to see Matthew Stafford in the Super Bowl, but as a Packers fan in Minnesota I'd prefer Sam Darnold making it to the big show. This would provide several months of cannon fodder to use against my Vikings friends and in-laws. How do you see that game unfolding?

I believe Stafford played his worst game against Chicago and it still was enough to beat the Bears. I think we're gonna see his best version in Seattle. Will that be enough to beat the Seahawks? We'll find out Sunday, but I expect Stafford and those wideouts to perform well. It's a big moment for all of them.

Mike from McFarland, WI

Aaron Kampman was an incredibly kind human being as well. Back when he was at the University of Iowa, he was a teacher's aide at a local elementary school, providing support for special needs kid in class. As you can imagine, the elementary school kids loved to hang on the big guy at recess. Very kind, gentle, and patient. He had to leave before the school year ended to continue his football career and I was brought in as the temporary aid with the dubious honor to try to replace him (impossible). I didn't follow football at the time, so it wasn't until years later when my coworkers at my new job were talking about the Packers and said Aaron's name and I was like "What? Aaron is in the NFL?" Needless to say, my stories were a hit at the water cooler that day. Wonderful guy.

Kampman was already gone by the time I started covering the team in 2012, but I've heard many similar stories about the quality human he is from Spoff and other beat writers. It's always great to see a player's character away from the field match his on-field impact.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Wes, a follow-up from the question from Wes from Marengo, IL. First of all, you sell yourself short by referring to your insight, wisdom and wit as simple "musings." Second, while we want LeFleur, Gutey and Russ Ball neck deep into their respective duties, I would think Ed Policy (who seems to be a man of the people anyway) would benefit from dipping regularly into II. What better way to stay abreast of the fan base he's serving?

Ha. True, but Ed also has his own “Perspective,” too.

Jessi from Sterling, KS

I guess now that we are in the off season for the Packers, I can ask you non-football questions. Like what is your favored go-to breakfast? And if you had to choose a day without coffee or a day without breakfast which one wins Weston?

I'm torn. I'm a big fan of chorizo burritos but I also don't think I could give up coffee for an entire day.

Craig from St. Charles, IL

It seems appropriate that the Packers represent the NFC in Super Bowl LXI. After all, the game will be played for the first time on Valentine's Day, and our QB is (Jordan) Love. Any thoughts?

Hey, maybe it is destiny.

Jerry from Grantsburg, WI

In my mind, the 2025 season came down to too many key injuries on the OL and DL. Add in the loss of Tucker Kraft, who is a blocking beast in Matt LaFleur's zone-run scheme, and this is the likeliest reason for why the team consistently faded in the second half. The Packers didn't lose all of their playmakers, but they did lose the guys who made them a four quarter team. LaFleur and staff had a winning recipe but didn't have enough beef in the hamburger helper to make a complete meal. Am I wrong?

No…and now they'll have a chance to run it back next season.

Bob from Abilene, TX

I love the response "It's a good day to be adequate." I was a theater major in college, and we were always told that if after a performance someone came backstage and said we did an adequate job that meant we did really good. So, from my standpoint and that of many others who read II religiously, keep up that adequate work – it means more to us that you know.

Adequately striving to do my part. Enjoy the games Sunday if y'all choose to partake. Have a great weekend, y'all.

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