Inbox: The resume speaks for itself

Mark from Canada

You had a heck of a day on Friday, Young Weston! Worked out my smiling muscles! Breathing in, breathing out. Breathing in, Breathing out. Breathing in, breathing out and once more for good measure. Breathing in, breathing out. Annnnnndddd........ submit.

Well done, Mark. You may grab a milk carton and graham cracker from the table and take your seat.

Colin from Milwaukee, WI

I was just imagining all 11 players having comms in their helmet. Each player receiving communications from their respective position coaches. The position coaches each with another earpiece connected to either the offensive or defensive coordinator to keep them on the same page. The coordinators with a headset connected to the head coach to manage game flow and maybe call plays if they are that kind of HC. Finally, a line up to the owner (if the team has one) in case they need to make emergency adjustments.

I'd have mine set to Spotify.

Casey from Madison, WI

Hello Insiders, the schedule makers have put you in charge of scheduling the Packers' first two and last two games next season. The first two games and the last two games must be against division opponents. Since the Packers rarely get a home game to start the season, you must schedule the first game on the road and the second game at home. Then the last two weeks of the season the Packers will be on the road for Week 17 and then home on Week 18. What teams are you scheduling in those weeks and why?

Speaking strictly in terms of strategy and not accounting for TV ratings or anything, I would open the season at Detroit, host Minnesota in Week 2, travel to face the Vikings in Week 17 and hold the advantage of hosting Chicago in the regular-season finale. I don't really care which NFC North rival the Packers play in the opener but getting the Lions out of the way would prevent Green Bay from playing in Detroit on Thanksgiving again.

Edward from Sioux Falls, SD

Here's hoping that Javon Hargrave will be a solid addition to the Packers D-line, like Howard Green was in the 2010 season. And hopefully ending the season with a game-changing QB hit that changed Super Bowl XLV!

If Hargrave fits as well into Green Bay's defense as he did Philadelphia's under Jonathan Gannon, the Packers gained a key ingredient to the championship defense. The Packers needed a defensive tackle like Hargrave and they got him.

Jon from Andover, MN

Gentlemen, I can see Micah Parsons excelling within a 3-4 defense, but what about Lukas Van Ness? Is he suited better for a 3-4 and will this help him?

The base alignment more affects defensive tackles and inside linebackers. Parsons will be successful in any scheme he plays while Van Ness is built to rush inside or outside on passing downs. So, I don't think anything really changes. At the end of the day, the job of a defensive end/outside linebacker is to hold the edge on first down and beat the lineman (or linemen) in front of them on second- and third-and-pass.

Richard from Madison, WI

What do you suppose the Packers' record would've been last season if Parsons had gotten even half of the holding calls that he deserved? Any chance it'll get any closer to reality in 2026?

I ain't holding my breath.

Benjamin from Bear, DE

I recently fell for some click bait, and the article was totally bogus. The writer made predictions about moves that aren't just gonna happen. With that said, if you did hear of potential moves from very credible sources, could you or would you be able to print those before they were announced?

We don't touch anything until it's announced. Because nothing is official until the ink is dry. Even if it's rock-solid information, an injury or some other concern could blow up the whole deal (See: Crosby, Maxx).

John from Palmdale, CA

I liked what we tried to do on the offensive line last year. The problem was that no starter was in the same position lined up next to the same player as last year except Zach Tom, so no continuity. Injuries kept Aaron Banks from a much-needed training camp, so we didn't gel until late in the season, then multiple injuries put paid to that experiment. Trust Gutey and co.

It is what it is, but the fact remains the Packers never fielded a consistent starting five in 2025 due to injury. Hopefully, Green Bay gets closer to that target in '26.

Hannes from Glendale, WI

Welcome back Wes! Doug from Odell, IL asked "Should the Packers sign a veteran QB or draft one?" You said you'd prefer the draft. I thought that it perfectly summarizes the beauty of NIL. Seasoned journeyman QBs straight from the draft!

You were legitimately the only person who got it.

Bryan from West Salem, WI

I attended college in Duluth, MN, at UMD starting in 2009, so it was very cool to learn we just hired Noah Pauley as our new WR coach, a fellow Bulldog! The teams he played on won two national championships, and during their undefeated 2010 season outscored their opponents 595-190. Mercy. I worked with a lot of those guys during the summer on campus grounds crews, they had some good times. Noah has had a lot of success throughout his coaching journey and I'm excited to see what he can do here!

I love Pauley’s story and his connections to Green Bay, most notably three seasons spent as Christian Watson's position coach at North Dakota State. It's really no surprise he's climbed the coaching ranks as quickly as he has. Matt Campbell and the folks at Iowa State absolutely love the guy. He obviously impressed Matt LaFleur during his Bill Walsh internship, as well. In addition to reuniting with Watson, Pauley brings a fresh perspective to Green Bay's passing game. New blood is never a bad thing.

Brandon from Imperial, MO

Good morning, the new coaching recruits were announced. Thank you for the "5 Things" articles on them! Who are you most excited or intrigued to have joined the staff? Seems like LaFleur scored a couple of names who were around for the last DC interview in GB as well as a few familiar people moving up the chain. Is there a name (or names) we should keep an eye on or a position group that might get a boost from some new coaching blood?

Other than Pauley, I'm most excited for Bobby Babich to join the staff. He did a good job in Buffalo and actually was my favorite to land the Packers’ defensive coordinator job in 2024. Green Bay now has three former NFL DCs on this staff with Gannon, Babich and DeMarcus Covington, giving the Packers a good blend of experience and perspective. Babich also coached Micah Hyde in Buffalo...and there is a guy right here in Green Bay who reminds me a lot of Micah.

Terri from Fountain Hills, AZ

There have been a lot of coaching changes with a new DC. One name I have seen as a constant on the coaching staff is running backs coach Ben Sirmans. It seems like he is a good candidate for a promotion or move to another team to get one. What can you tell us about him?

This topic comes up every now and then with Sirmans, who's quietly become one of the longest-tenured assistant coaches in team history. Hired in 2016, Sirmans is the only remaining member of Mike McCarthy's Packers coaching staff and he's pretty much done it all here. He converted No. 88 receivers to running backs, tutored future Packers Hall of Famer Aaron Jones and developed dozens of late-round and undrafted prospects into NFL players. Sirmans started with Eddie Lacy and his run has spanned all the way to Josh Jacobs. I'd say the resume speaks for itself.

Matthew from Racine, WI

Is addressing the kicker position a point of emphasis this offseason?

Maybe the Packers bring in more competition during/after the draft, but right now Brandon McManus and Lucas Havrisik remain the leading kicking contenders.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Wes, I know you were away on vacation, but did you happen to read Mr. Policy's column this month? You and Spoff got a nice pat on the back from the Big Boss. These days, when bosses throw compliments around like manhole covers, it must be nice to see that compliment to the two of you. Well-deserved.

Ha, I did (and great analogy). We appreciate Ed's kind words about Inbox and also his willingness to pen his own monthly column like Mark Murphy before him. Given the unique makeup of his community owned organization, it's vital to connect with Packers fans at every level. We get that. Ed gets that.

Kurt from Oshkosh, WI

With the annual team meetings coming up, do you think the tush-push issue will come up again? Thanks for all you guys do to answer Packer fans questions!

Nobody proposed it. The Packers did their part last year. If the NFL or its owners want something done, then somebody else is gonna have to pick up the baton.

Paul from West Allis, WI

Good morning Mr. Wes and to all IIers. Of the Packers free agents left I most would like to hear of Bo Melton coming back. Any word on his health? Anyone you would like to see back again. And lastly is there a deadline to meet for any remaining signings?

No deadlines other than the end of unrestricted free agency after the draft. Melton is fine. I talked to him after the season and he said it wasn't anything that would threaten his offseason. Based on Instagram, it doesn't appear to have affected Melton's training at all. This question provides a good opportunity to clear something up, though. Yes, Melton had an expiring contract, but he falls under the category of exclusive rights free agent because he doesn't have the required three accrued NFL seasons. So, he wasn't going anywhere.

Mike from Geneva, IL

I was excited to see Malik Willis sign his contract with the Dolphins. Unfortunately, he doesn't have any wide receivers or tight ends that have distinguished NFL careers. Do you think he has any regrets as there were other teams in need of a QB or does the guaranteed money ease the pain enough?

Willis knew the situation he was walking into when he took his talents to South Beach. I think he trusts Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley to put him in a place to succeed. He wouldn't have signed there otherwise.

Sam from Monona, WI

Inquiring giants (height not team) want to know, if a 6-foot-4 player would be the tallest cornerback, who is the tallest individual to play in-season for our beloved Pack?

At 6-foot-9, Caleb Jones earned that distinction on a single special teams snap against Detroit in Week 4 of the 2023 season, which was also his lone NFL snap. Former draft pick Brennan Curtin also was 6-9 but never appeared in a regular-season game for Green Bay.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

Wes, we got Mike's thoughts on the new Titans uniforms. What say you? Yea or nay?

I like 'em but also find it funny how teams stuck in the NFL cellar always tinker with their uniforms every five years.

Clayton from Oak Park, IL

I found myself wondering if any Packers media alumni are out there doing big things. Can you divulge if any of your previous coworkers/interns have landed bigger writing or production gigs after cutting their teeth with the Packers? Do you ever get a chance to catch up with them at games or other league events?

I keep in touch with most of them. As an old head around here these days, I'm so proud of my former coworkers who went on to bigger and better things after interning here. While there are too many to name, I want to give a shout out to my NFL contemporaries: Kim Ippilito (Minnesota), Kelsey Tehan (Kansas City), Ana Hoosier (L.A. Rams), Matt Haberkamp (Seattle) and Madeline Friedman (Seattle/Amazon Prime). Jennifer Ward, Lauren Anderson and Nicole Timm all climbed the ranks here in Green Bay to earn full-time jobs, as well.

Marty from Rancho Cordova, CA

Wes, you need to make Dave an offer he can't refuse.

He already refused it. This dude wouldn't trade a used piece of gum for a new pack.

Tom from Nolanville, TX

Would Sonny Weaver trade five first-round picks for Bo Callahan?

I think you know the answer to that question, Tom. Vontae Mack, no matter what.

Charles from New Berlin, WI

Hello II, I can proudly say that I have achieved the Packers website trifecta by having questions answered in the Policy Perspective and by Packer historian, Cliff Christl, and a few times in the II. Aside from bragging rights to my friends, what is the next goal to shoot for? As always, GPG!!

Spoff stealing your lunch?

Rob from Wilmington, NC

"Mike Spofford Memorial Commode also has a certain ring to it." Some toilet bowl cleaner and elbow grease should take care of that ring.

Well, that's certainly one way to end Monday's Inbox. Make it a great week.

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