Inbox: That's the way this game is played

Ryan from Mount Zion, IL

272 games in a season with one ending in a tie. So, 271 had a winner and a loser, but since 271 is a prime number, half were not won or lost? The math is hurting my brain. It must be why math was banned a long time ago.

If Inbox was Family Feud, this would have been the most popular answer on the board today. I also believe this would qualify as a self-inflicted wound. That's the last time I tempt mathematical fate.

Jon from Willmar, MN

Thanks for the Jonathan Gannon article. With his background, the defense should be great. How are our injured players recovering? Who should be back Week 1?

Micah Parsons seems to be in good spirits at the Pro Bowl Games. In all seriousness, Brian Gutekunst provided updates on several injured players during his 38-minute news conference Wednesday. I have a story posting this morning on packers.com.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

Wes, were you surprised by Gute's dismissive response that team experience and age had nothing to do with our ability to finish? I've heard many former players talk about the best teams being player-led and how important the strong-resumed vets' cache is toward ensuring accountability and staying locked in, way more than coaches. We are lukewarm in that area. There are benefits to youth, but it's obviously one of those intangible factors and I'd have liked for him to acknowledge the tradeoffs.

Correlation doesn't imply causation for me. There are plenty of reasons why the Packers struggled to finish games. Gutekunst outlined a few of them, but I don't think it was due to too few veterans. It certainly wasn't because of a lack of experience, either. Shoot, New England barely has any and the Patriots made it all the way to the Super Bowl. In my opinion, what hurt Green Bay most was not having its best players available in concert with one another. Every team battles injuries, but it seemed like the Packers always had two or three of their top 5-7 players missing from Week 1 on.

Tommy from Washburn, WI

I'm seeing a lot of people assuming that Malik Willis will be a starter next year, but I don't think it's a guarantee. He has been nothing short of amazing as our QB2, but I think equal credit goes to Matt LaFleur's scheme and play-calling when Willis was in for Jordan Love. If another team signs him, Willis will still need to compete for the starting job. Matt Flynn never became a starter, so I don't think it's guaranteed. Do you see any world in which Willis is back in GB next year? I sure hope so. Go Pack Go!

Willis may not be proclaimed a starter on the day he signs, but he will get the opportunity to compete for a starting job somewhere like Flynn did. In addition to 2026 not being a great quarterback draft, Willis played too well for a QB-needy team not to take a deeper look. Even if the starting scenario doesn't play out, top QB2s are still making $7-8 million now. It's gonna be tough for the Packers to retain Willis regardless.

Dylan from Amery, WI

What do you think about taking a late-round flyer on Paul Blake, QB from Texas State. Gritty, good leader.

If the Packers don't acquire a quarterback in March, I'm sure they'll look to draft one in April. Willis' magic was too powerful not to replace.

Paul from Rockford, IL

Are the Packers going to be looking at RB in the early rounds of the draft?

Gutekunst didn't equivocate when asked about Josh Jacobs on Wednesday. He feels the three-time Pro Bowler still has good years ahead of him. So, the rest comes down to depth and how Green Bay handles Emanuel Wilson as a restricted free agent. If Wilson returns and the organization feels it has answers to MarShawn Lloyd's issues, the Packers are probably best served to use their Day 2 picks elsewhere. If Wilson isn't back and Lloyd's situation remains precarious, then RB might be a position Green Bay needs to consider. You need three solid backs in LaFleur's offense. That's the way this game is played.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, yesterday in II, Mike mentioned four areas for improved performance, three of the four on defense. If you are Brian Gutekunst, do you go all-in to fix one side of the ball with the belief for instance that the offense could carry the team, or do you try to make improvements across the board? Where is the strength in the draft this year? Do you think BG crafts his draft strategy to capitalize on positions of strength in a draft class?

This appears to be a strong draft on the defensive side of the ball, particularly at defensive end, cornerback and linebacker. The Packers probably don't have the capital to go "all-in" on one phase or position. They will likely wind up with eight picks, half of which will be in the final two rounds. You gotta make 'em count.

Gordon from Newport Beach, CA

Perhaps it is difficult to quantify, but what turns a CB from a commodity into a luxury elite player?

When a cornerback impacts the game like a pass rusher. I think that's when the shift occurs. Before the injuries, Jaire Alexander could alter the momentum of a game with his play. Those corners are few and far between, and Alexander was a two-time All-Pro because of it. Gutekunst feels Green Bay is in a good spot with Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs and Carrington Valentine, but the Packers admittedly must add depth. That starts with casting a line or two into draft waters in search of the next Alexander or Tramon Williams.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

If Gutey trades out of the second round and into the early third round, what would that net us?

Probably an extra third or a fourth and Day 3 pick.

Ryan from Oshkosh, WI

Will we see any of our free agents signed before free agency starts? I am curious who will stay and who is going to go.

Once the clock hits zero on the Super Bowl, you never know when a deal might go down. Mason Crosby signed a contract extension on Feb. 23, 2020. Last year, Isaiah McDuffie re-signed nine days before the start of free agency and Brandon McManus was two days after that.

Nolan from Scandinavia, WI

Anyone else feeling blah about this year's Super Bowl? I have no dog in this fight. I like Mike Vrabel and based on what I've read he is a standup guy, so I'd be OK seeing him win a ring as a HC. I also appreciate Sam Darnold's career trajectory. Also, a lot of GB connections with both teams but I haven't been this uninspired to watch a Super Bowl in years and that's including ones after GB NFC Championship Game losses...

I'd agree it's not exactly Hulk Hogan facing Andre the Giant. The matchup definitely lacks something, but this is still the biggest game in our sport. Everyone wants to see how this Super Bowl story ends. I'm sure I'll watch unless the game turns into an unmitigated blowout.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

Who do you predict will win the Super Bowl and the Super Bowl MVP?

Seattle and JSN.

Carl from Sheboygan, WI

Morning II, with all the talk of going to 18 games, no preseason, an additional bye week, etc., would it not make sense then to allow some "flexing" of the roster by (as with baseball) all teams are allowed to expand their rosters by (say) five players starting in December? This could help banged-up players to get some needed rest. I know they have the freedom today to bring players up from the practice squad, and they can pull any player from any other team's practice squad (correct?). Thoughts?

That's an interesting idea, but I don't see the NFL modifying its current structure. The league's counter to a longer regular season was expanding the practice squad to 17 players and allowing up to two players to be elevated to the gameday roster each week. Keep in mind the benefits differ for players on the active roster and practice squad. I'm sure that's part of the calculus for the league and its club owners.

Mark from Bradenton, FL

Good morning, Wes. Purely hypothetical question: There is speculation that the Seattle Seahawks may be up for sale after the Super Bowl with a selling price between $7-8 billion. Would a consortium of Taylor Swift/Kelce Brothers be able to afford that amount? I would think the NFL owners would look favorably on such ownership.

Lewis Hamilton owns a share of the Broncos. Tom Brady has a piece of the Raiders. It's a near-certainty that a celebrity will be part of the Seahawks' next ownership group. Whether the Swift-Kelce consortium gets involved, your guess is as good as mine.

Kerry from Lakewood Ranch, FL

We southern Packer fans were looking forward to two games in our region this year. What a shame if the Packers don't get to play in New Orleans if that game is moved overseas. Would you agree the New Orleans venue is top five in the league?

I would disagree with that, but I love New Orleans as a city. Considering the Saints are in the NFC, it's strange that I've covered just one game at the Superdome (2014) during my 14 years on the beat. If memory serves, the Saints could motion for that game to be played in New Orleans, though. The Chargers protected their home game against the Packers in 2019 for that reason.

Charlie from Morgan Hill, CA

There are some things that need immediate attention in the NFL that won't happen. Officiating issues are one. But I was surprised to see that there are 10 new head coaches and not one is African American (assuming Kubiak goes to Vegas). Only Robert Saleh is a man of color. The Rooney Rule is clearly toothless. What are your thoughts? This must be frustrating for qualified coaches of color.

I am surprised. I thought for sure Brian Flores would get another opportunity. I don't know what the answer is, but it was startling how few Black head coaches seemed to be serious contenders for head NFL jobs. Did Vance Joseph even get an interview? One name I'd like to see get more traction hopefully next year is Ejiro Evero, a Dom Capers mentee who's worked wonders with Carolina's defense.

Matt from Albert Lea, MN

After seeing the head coach, GM, etc. get extensions, I was curious if all of their salaries are fully guaranteed for the entire contract? If so, do most or all teams have fully guaranteed contracts for their GMs and head coaches?

Correct, though coaches and GMs can be fired "for cause." See Al Davis' infamous news conference after the Oakland Raiders let Lane Kiffin go.

Tim from Charlotte, NC

Regarding Mark from Appleton's question about heated seats in Lambeau, a few years back I took the stadium tour and learned that the seats are actually heated. Yep, it's true, our guide told us. "They heat them every June, July, and August."

Oh, I get it. It's very clever.

Jason from Boyle, MS

I can't even process the idea of Green Bay having a roof.

Fortunately, you don't have to. Not in our lifetime, at least.

Jason from Rochester, NY

Is there a place to send the league a recommendation for a Pro Bowl activity for next year? Let's get all the ACL/Achilles injured players to race their scooters…

I've had my fill of corgi races. Bust out the Buzzarounds.

Juan from Miami, FL

Kurtis..."The reality is there are still 272 games each regular season. Half will be won and half will be lost. Actually, all will be won and all will be lost." I am sorry, however, there will be ties...Now that is why there is the rule "No Math in II."

Now is probably a good time for us to break. In accordance with the Packers' companywide initiative to take a long weekend over the Super Bowl, this will be the final Insider Inbox until Tuesday, Feb. 10. Mike's got you next week as I knock out some PTO. Enjoy the big game, folks. Hopefully, our last without GBP involvement.

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