Inbox: That becomes the stuff of Packers legend

Al from Green Bay, WI

Wes, you have been called upon to provide advice and wisdom to the players new to the Green Bay area. What advice do you give them on the cusp of training camp?

The good news? You're 15 minutes from anywhere here. The bad news is anywhere is probably closed on Mondays.

Gary from Tompkinsville, KY

Just a comment. I like the way Brian Gutekunst is extending contracts to key players rather than wasting money on FA. Everyone knows Tucker Kraft is next.

I mean, who doesn't prefer a home-cooked meal? It's certainly cost-effective. Football is pretty simple: Draft well and reward that talent with as many second contracts as your cap allows. The Packers drafted well in 2022 and 2023 and here we are. Best of all, there is less need to roll on the dice on free agents who may or may not work out. Because you know what you got and you wanna see what's next.

David from Chestertown, MD

Good day, Inbox! No question today, simply an observation: Losing Micah Parsons last year was not the only reason we dropped those five games. There's no question we need him healthy but the other guys on our team get paid to perform, too. I optimistically (given reasonable health) predict a top 5 D by year's end. GPG!

You can't help but lose some air from the balloon when a pin strikes like it did in Denver. But you gotta keep pushing. My hope is Parsons' return will be as motivating for this year's team as his loss was deflating in 2025.

Ross from Summerville, SC

Gents, after Zaire Franklin and Edgerrin Cooper, who are the best options at inside linebacker?

I more or less outlined this on Monday, but Isaiah McDuffie, Ty'Ron Hopper and Nick Niemann complement that room nicely. McDuffie has played nearly 3,000 snaps between defense and special teams the past four years while missing just one game due to injury. That durability proved critical when the Packers were without Quay Walker and Cooper on a handful of occasions. Meanwhile, Hopper continues to grow as a "Mike" linebacker while emerging as a coverage player on special teams. The Packers have depth there.

Mark from St. Pete Beach, FL

Gentlemen: Seeing Tyrod Taylor come on board as an experienced backup reminds me of the Packers picking up Jim McMahon back in the day. Do you think it will provide the same sort of stability?

I was stoked to see the Packers add Taylor after the draft (when the unrestricted free agent window closed). I've only had one interaction with Taylor so far but could not have been more impressed. Like Malik Willis, Taylor has a calm, lowkey personality that blends well with Jordan Love's steady disposition. While the goal remains for Love to play every meaningful snap, Taylor has seen it all in the NFL. If called upon, Taylor knows how to keep the ship afloat.

Ross from Eagle River, AK

I, too, am pulling for Willis to have a good season after all that he did for the Pack while he was here. Without him, GB probably has no postseason either of the past two years. I typically like to pull for players to rise up out of nowhere or to have a great career after being considered a bust. Jim Plunkett is one of my favorites in this category, Much-heralded Heisman Trophy followed by a lackluster career until he won a Super Bowl with the Raiders.

Everyone loves a comeback story. For example, I briefly became a Steelers fan after Tommy Maddox resurrected his career in the XFL. We've seen it countless times in Green Bay whether it was Desmond Howard, Howard Green or Rasul Douglas.

John from Saint Paul, MN

Is Lukas Van Ness ready to make the next step?

I think so.

Mike from Vancouver, WA

In order to become "the team no one wants to play in January," I would say; 1. Win at home. 2. Win the division, and 3. Avoid tie games whenever possible. I'm leaving "avoid injuries" off the list because some injuries are inevitable and unavoidable. What would you add to this list? And thanks for the great content.

It's a good list, but winning the division is where everything starts. The Packers need to win the NFC North again. It ain't easy playing on the road in January. It's been nearly five years since the last time the Packers played a playoff game at Lambeau Field. That must change.

James from Appleton, WI

How can you mention Jarrett Bush and Rocky in the same paragraph without pointing out how Bush stepped in for an injured Charles Woodson in the Super Bowl and picked off Ben Rothsliesbeger, an Ivan Drago at QB if there ever was one?

That's what great about this sport: A former undrafted free agent stepping up in the biggest game. That becomes the stuff of Packers legend.

Dominic from Chesapeake, VA

Wes, we have at least one thing in common – we love to watch Aaron Rodgers play! My first game ever at Lambeau, I saw Rodgers battle Brett Favre and the Vikings in 2010 and go onto win Super Bowl MVP that season. He is my favorite Packer player. Who is your favorite Packer player of all time? Thanks!

Until I'm fitted for a wooden coat, the answer to that question will be LeRoy Butler. He was my favorite player as a child and one of my favorite people as an adult.

Scott from Manson, IA

Methinks a great deal of the special team's woes could be eliminated if they could cut back on all the penalties (Brandon McManus problems notwithstanding). I'm tempted to go back and count how many times the offense had to start in their own red zone because of this.

Hence my plea to win the field position battle. The Packers need more positive production. Returns are the de facto first offensive play of the series and they don't cost you a down. Protect the football. Advance the football. Help your offense.

Tyler from Chippewa Falls, WI

Do we know of any plans through the season to celebrate 30 years since the 1996 Super Bowl team? I'm planning to get a jersey of one of my favorite all-time Packers, "The Gravedigger" to celebrate. Speaking of Gilbert Brown, I have long hoped that a player would pick up his trademark celebration, perhaps to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Championship No. 12, someone could pick that up as a celebration this season. Wyatt might be a good one to do it.

T.J. Slaton had a solid "Gravedigger" celebration during his final two seasons with the Packers. Perhaps Javon Hargrave – who's also affectionately known as "The Gravedigger" – picks up the baton this year. I also can't believe it's been 30 years since the Packers won Super Bowl XXXI. Mercy.

David from Bay Minette, AL

Hi Wes, and II readers. I work part-time as a bus driver for Coastal Alabama Community College. We just returned from a very successful cheer camp where they were crowned Game Day Overall Champions in their division. While on the University of Alabama campus, I went to the Bear Bryant Museum. I didn't know that Bear Bryant played receiver with a guy named Don Hutson. I also learned that Bart Starr was a two-way player at Alabama and lastly, a GB Packers mug sits in the middle of the desk of the Bear. Did you know that?

I didn't know the last part. You learn something new every day. Safe travels.

Joe from Liberty Township, OH

Agree Mike Holmgren deserves to be in the HOF, and likewise Verne Lewellen and Cecil Isbell. Any chance either of those two players ever make it? What about Gale Gillingham? Did David Bakhtiari do enough and play long enough to get serious consideration?

You'd have to ask Cliff for a more educated opinion on Gillingham, but he was quoted by Ryan Wood in 2016 in saying he would've voted for Gillingham if he'd been put forward as a senior nominee during Cliff's time as a Hall of Fame voter. Dave belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in my book, especially today when more players are getting into Canton despite injury-shortened careers. Bakhtiari was one of the best left tackles of his era and just a season or two away from being a slam-dunk. Regardless, five straight AP All-Pro seasons is not easily replicated.

Josh from Nicaragua

Why doesn't Donald Driver get more love for the HOF? A 7th round pick out of a small HBCU grinds his way to becoming the all-time leading receiver for the oldest and winningest franchise in league history and he isn't a shoe in for a gold jacket!? Sure, he wasn't flashy, never lead the league in yards, not even any All-Pro teams...but doesn't that make his production and longevity even more impressive and worth immortalizing?

Driver had an incredible NFL career and remains one of the best stories to ever come through the Packers' locker room. However, Driver played arguably the toughest position to crack Canton. Just look at how long it took Sterling Sharpe to get his bust. Driver is one of only 57 receivers who eclipsed 10,000 receiving yards but unfortunately you have multiple-time All-Pro wideouts such as Steve Smith (14,371) and Reggie Wayne (14,435 yards) still awaiting their call to the Hall.

Dustin from Kansas City, MO

Wes, do you have any thoughts on special teams? Only kidding. I agree with you that we've beaten that horse well beyond death. So, here's a nice change of pace for you. You've covered tons of games over the years. Is there one moment you've witnessed that, for whatever reason, doesn't get talked about enough, but you will never forget?

There are many. Jayrone Elliott earning his "Shakespeare" moniker after being virtually unblockable against Seattle in 2015. Robert Tonyan catching a 54-yard touchdown against the Seahawks in 2018. Davante Adams' first career 100-yard receiving game against New England in 2014. It not only was a seminal moment in Adams' career but also a catalyst for Green Bay pulling out a hard-fought 26-21 win. It marked the Patriots' final loss that season. Kyler Fackrell's two three-sack games in 2018 rank high on the list, too.

Marc from Hamburg, Germany

Hi Wes and II, I am not totally up to date so please forgive me if this has been brought up already. I really never understood how fans could say things like 'this is just unacceptable'. Why not just accept that the game of football is managed, coached and played by human beings like you and me (a tad more knowledge when it comes to the game and more athletic maybe) and accept they make mistakes. Plus, the other guys get paid, too. Just accept it already, that's part of life and part of football.

You're not wrong. Honestly, I think that's what makes football is great. But the Catch-22 is you only get one shot. There are no mulligans. There is no best-of-seven series. You have one opportunity to win the down. That fact enhances the drama but also can generate strong reactions from fans.

Tim from Olathe, KS

Wes, we have always counted down in American sports whereas World Cup futbol counted up. In addition, the World Cup officials would add "plus 5" minutes at the end of a half, not seconds or microseconds. I found this entirely refreshing. Was there anything about this World Cup our football can learn from?

How an efficient video assistant referee system can improve the game. Replay doesn't need to be as complicated as the NFL makes it.

Doug from Neenah, WI

Good morning, Wes. How about a rules clarification today? If the QB scrambles out of the pocket, crosses the line of scrimmage and then gives himself up by sliding down, is the ball marked where 1) the slide began, 2) where the slide ended, or 3) where he was actually first touched down by a defender? Thanks.

The ball is placed wherever the quarterback's body first contacts the ground.

Cary from Sioux Falls, SD

Wes, I used to have the same disdain for soccer as many of your readers, but then both my daughters became referees, and I learned the rules from them. Now I watch soccer with the same appreciation as any other sport. And when my brother-in-law complained about a 3-2 game, I told him to pretend a goal is worth 7 points instead of 1. Now it's a 21-14 game! Feel better?

I have an appreciation for soccer having played it every summer as a kid. But I also grew up a pro wrestling fan who needs a storyline or something to pull me into the action.

Eric from Keene, NH

I'm sensing a lot of smugness around the third-place game at the World Cup, so I feel the need to offer another perspective. Mauricio Pochettino, coach of the USMNT, said that he needed to overcome the loser mentality of American sports. What he had in mind is the practice of rewarding losing teams with the highest draft picks. By contrast, in European soccer leagues, the worst teams are relegated to a lower league. It's like losers in America get a big, shiny participation trophy, but better.

The U.S. could use a couple high draft picks. I wanna advance to the quarterfinals before departure time.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

Hey Wes, for the record this came in response to your answer about our beloved Aaron Rodgers on the 18th hole. You know that noise one makes when you hear or see something that's so good you can barely stand it? It starts with an awe but ends with an ugh but with a hard back of throat kah? Usually coincides with a head tilt back or eye close. Try it out… how does one attempt to convey that in writing? How do you spell it? I was going to simply give you my response to the perfect answer but how?

I don't know if there's one single word (or sound) to describe what you're feeling, but that kind summation was more than enough. Appreciate you, Jennifer.

Alan from Butternut, WI

It appears that Spoff did it again with the Devonte Wyatt signing. Any idea when his next vacation is so we can get Tucker Kraft extended?

Now that you mention it, Spoff is scheduled to be out a few days at the end of August. Stay tuned, I guess.

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