Inbox: That catbird seat comes with way more responsibility

Derek from Maple Grove, MN

Here's the problem with allowing math into II. Isn't a tie, by definition, less than a one-score game?

Not "the" problem. One of many problems.

Chuck from Neenah, WI

Hey Spoff, did you start the fire at Lambeau?

No, but I'm glad it was something minor and it was extinguished quickly, without incident. When the alarm went off and we had to evacuate the building, I remembered I had an errand to run, so I just went to my car and when I returned everyone was back inside already.

Jean from Longueuil, Canada

Chris Brooks over Emanuel Wilson?

Good to see Brooks back and I'm happy for him. The way this unfolded makes me think Wilson decided he's seeking to land a larger role somewhere else.

Jeff from Foothill Ranch, CA

While reading about the Rams-Chiefs reported trade, I read that since 2017, the Rams have made ONE first-round pick, Jared Verse in 2024. It's unreal what they've accomplished in some of those years without a first-rounder of their own, though they acquired top-tier talent in lieu of those picks.

Yeah, the Rams' approach stands out as starkly different. Since drafting Jared Goff No. 1 overall in 2016, their only first-round pick has been Verse in '24. Over that span of nine years (2017-25), they've made the playoffs seven times, gone to two Super Bowls, and won one, posting an overall playoff record of 10-6 (6-6 outside of the one title year). They do have another first-round pick this year, though, after the trade. Clearly they're gearing up for one final run with Stafford.

Nic from UK

Do the Chiefs just trust their ability to D&D (that's draft and develop not dungeons and dragons) CBs so much that they jettison another young All-Pro CB rather than re-sign him? I get you can't re-sign everyone but I thought you at least try to hold onto top 10 guys at the premier positions. As a fan of a CB-needy team who knows the value of coverage than can hold up when the pass rush fails to get home, you can color me confused.

Speaking of different approaches, for the second straight time a big-money extension was coming due at corner (L'Jarius Sneed two years ago), the Chiefs traded the player rather than pony up the cash. It's a bold strategy, Cotton.

Richard from De Pere, WI

We need a quality long-term center as bad as anyone in the league (assuming we let Elgton Jenkins go). I really like Sean Rhyan as a backup center/guard, but please don't let the Bears sign Linderbaum or Biadasz!

Drew Dalman's retirement was certainly a shock, but unless the Bears really do some gymnastics with their cap, I don't think they can afford Linderbaum. Reports are out they're already hosting Biadasz for a visit so they could be moving quickly.

Brad from Bloomington, IL

Mike, with the big news out of Arizona, will that make it harder for Malik Willis to get a coveted spot? Supposedly Murray only has two teams on his list, so that may help Willis.

I don't know if there's such a thing as a "coveted spot" for someone in Willis' position. But Murray's departure from Arizona could end up sending Willis there to play for the younger LaFleur brother, no?

Tom from Nolanville, TX

Gidday II, Mike from Elliocott City's QB salary observation overlooks one ongoing constant (pardon the math) and that is top-tier QB contracts have historically fallen in the range of 15-19% of the annual salary cap. I've done the math on this over the last 20-25 years as I'm always curious how much the QB contracts gobble up in their slice of the pie. It's never changed. The rest of the payroll goes to the other 52. That part of the equation is the challenging aspect of Russ's balancing act.

Indubitably.

Josh from Nicaragua

Is the underwear Olympics officially pointless? I saw that this year's charade resulted in new record average times for almost every position group in the 40-yard dash. At first glance that appears to be an exciting stat, until you realize this year also had the lowest proportion of attendees participating in the 40, with only the athletes that knew they would have respectable times taking part. Is it time for an "all or nothing" mandate for combine invitees?

In a word, no. I've said it a thousand times before and I'll say it again, the two most important aspects of the combine are the ones that get zero media coverage –medical checks and interviews. Even if, for whatever reason, a player doesn't do a single drill or test, it's still worth it for him – and for the NFL clubs – to participate in the more valuable parts of the combine.

Roger from West Bend, WI

Every year when the draft nears, the art of drafting is truly interesting. When you consider there are one million high school players, 83,000 college players, this year 257 players get picked for the NFL. Rare do drafted players make immediate impact, Clay Matthews, Lawrence Taylor, etc. The talent level at the NFL level is truly astounding. Draftees no longer can survive on just physical or cerebral knowledge. We should realize it's a big step from good to great. Most won't get there. Patience.

There are roughly 1,700 active roster spots (on the 53) across the league. Every year, nearly one-fourth of those spots are under attack, so to speak, from the incoming draft class and undrafted rookies. Rinse and repeat.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

I believe Gute will seriously consider trading down in this draft for more picks. I also feel most of our BIG cap hits will be gone. Therefore, depth is needed at several positions. There seems to be several similar value players at OL, DL and corner coming out of this draft. Most fans are anxious for one player at a need position, but not Gute. Is that about right?

If he's making a trade in this draft, I fully expect it to be down. Come next year, if the Packers gain a couple extra thirds, or a third and a fourth, as comp picks, then potentially trading up becomes a different conversation.

Joe from Wauwatosa, WI

There was a question yesterday about trading up in the second round and the response was not likely based on pick amounts in rounds 2-6. Isn't trading next year's third-round pick also a possibility considering the third-round compensatory picks we are likely to get in return anyways?

Not out of the question, but the third-round comps start at pick No. 97, so trading next year's traditional third-rounder now would leave the Packers with just one pick in the first 96 selections of next year's draft.

Kevin from Madison, WI

My kid was saying how little time football players have to spend to play the game. They see the three-hour game, and that is it. Can you break down the time a player spends on various other activities to prepare for the game? How much time in meetings, weight room, practice? Anything else they spend their time on, maybe to help stay injury-free like massages and acupuncture? A rough estimate of hours per week would be nice too.

I won't cover everything here, but I can tell you after a typical Sunday game, players are in the facility on Monday for at least a few hours, sometimes more, for a workout, meetings, and anything needed in the training room. Tuesday is their day off. Wednesday and Thursday are the heavy lifting days, with meetings starting around 7 a.m., followed by walk-throughs, practice mid-day, and more workouts/meetings after. Friday is a little shorter day, with most players out by mid-afternoon. Saturday is a half-day of meetings and walk-throughs, and they either have the rest of the day off or they're heading to the airport around lunchtime to catch the flight. Players also carve out their own time for extra film study, massages, etc., on their off day or in the evenings. As Aaron Rodgers often said, players get paid for Monday through Saturday. They play on Sunday for free.

James from Appleton, WI

A story about Malik Willis referred to the Packers as having one of the league's more complicated offensive systems. The tradeoff is that playing in it doesn't become second nature quickly. It's easy to stay optimistic about Matthew Golden and Savion Williams but don't you think that should extend to Aaron Banks? He may have had not just to learn things but to unlearn others.

Banks' issues early in the season were health-related, not system-related.

Arthur from Eau Claire, WI

I for one think the Packers and Lions will have better records than the Bears next season for (to me) a simple reason. The Bears won't have a cupcake schedule like last season, their comeback wins and close-scoring wins are going to be way more difficult to achieve. Do you think this is a reasonable thought or am I off base?

Caleb Williams at QB is going to keep the Bears in games, and he'll continue pulling off comebacks here and there, though maybe not as frequently. In my mind, the hardest thing for the Bears to repeat will be their 30-plus takeaways. That's a very difficult number to hit in back-to-back years.

David from Janesville, WI

Mike, I'm mostly on the side of outside signings being young and upcoming players, or as Gutey says "his best football is in front of him." However, with Gannon coming on board would this be a season to take a one-year flyer on a slightly past-his-prime defensive player who could help with the on-field transition to the new defense? Specifically a cap casualty if possible to not offset compensatory picks? Or are roster spots too valuable for these types of players?

Interesting thought. I don't think Gutey would be flat-out against it, but it would have to be at the right price, and the state of the roster at that position would matter, too. If young guys are ready to play, then they need to play in order to develop, and a veteran stopgap would create limitations in that vein. Unless a balancing act could be achieved, which would very much depend on the mindset of the veteran acquisition.

Herb from Mosier, OR

Hi Spoff! I want to pick your brain. The Packers obviously need to add offensive linemen this offseason. They have a great record of getting good guys (like Zach Tom, Sean Rhyan, Corey Linsley and David Bakhtiari) in Days 2 and 3 of the draft. In your opinion, what common traits (besides the obvious, big and strong) do they possess? I'm mostly interested in their personalities. I realize this is 100% subjective but your veteran opinion is valuable to me.

Here's the interesting thing – those four guys you listed could not be more different personality-wise. They're nothing alike in that realm, so I don't think there's some secret list of traits. What I do believe is mid-to-late-round finds on the offensive line who become successful are players who successfully grew into their bodies in their early NFL years. Strictly physically speaking, they weren't anywhere near what they became once they turned pro and were dedicating their lives to football. Bakhtiari might be the best example of that, a guy who had a lot of skill as a young player and then physically matured over time to maximize on those talents.

Mike from San Diego, CA

I don't know that solely retaining players should be a heavy factor in determining a GM's success. There are too many factors when it comes to retaining players – their current value to the roster, value to other teams (scarcity of position in free agency), depth at position, cap status, etc. Considering those factors, evaluating the overall tenure of a drafted player (or UDFA signing) is probably more indicative of their ability to evaluate talent, no?

Sure, but there's also so much more that goes into a GM's job, from managing the roster through a season when injuries strike, to keeping the cap in good shape short- and long-term via smart decisions, to building and handling an entire personnel staff of pro and college scouts while dealing with potential departures for better opportunities, and the list goes on. The best GMs generally are scouts at heart, but that catbird seat comes with way more responsibility.

Ron from Appleton, WI

When Reggie White signed with the Packers in free agency back in 1993, it was four years for 17 million. What would he be signing for in today's market?

Well, White was 31 when he signed with the Packers, and Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt are both in their early 30s making $40M per year, so he'd be in that ballpark.

Jason from Ammon, ID

Good morning, Mike. I love sports sounds, and the pinnacle is a wood bat hitting a baseball. Is there a football equivalent? Will you be watching the World Baseball Classic? Did you see Mr. Satoria versus Mr. Ohtani? Sports moments and memories in general make us rich. Enjoy your day, sir. Very much looking forward to Prospect Primer.

Not sure how much of the WBC I'll watch. Time will tell. Football sound? The clang of a kick off the upright is unmistakable.

Steve from Wabasha, MN

You need to display those hats! Don't tie yourself to the way you had them displayed before. Enlist help from the maintenance crew. Their fresh perspective and expertise will get it done, and make sure you leave room to expand your collection.

I appreciate all the suggestions. We'll see what transpires. Happy Thursday.

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