Inbox: There's a reason for that

Scott from Fishhook, AK

Are you guys required to read a lot of "click-bait" articles in order to know and understand the latest rumors and silly things some of us might send in? Particularly this time of year? If not, are you interested in hiring someone to read them and summarize the high points for you? You know like a daily (lack of) intelligence briefing? I am semi-retired, and with the time zone difference I could do it at the end of the day, you would have it first thing every a.m.

Maybe I'm just in a mood, but this is legitimately one of my all-time favorite submissions.

Nhoj from Waterloo, WI

The video of Javon Hargrave's son finding out he signed with the Packers is hilarious and wholesome. It also reminds me that players have families that often have to uproot their lives to play this game we love to watch.

That clip from the back seat of the car is priceless.

Jeff from Littlefork, MN

College kids are used to change and upheaval. Holy schnikey, did Spoff just find the glass half-full outlook on all the transfer portal nonsense?

They're also more accustomed to managing significant sums of money.

Eric from Kenosha, WI

Plus, Eric Wilson earned top style points for a certain fumble recovery a few years ago. Too bad a missed FG relegated that to the dustbin of NFL history.

Yeah, that should've gone down as one of the more notable fumble recoveries in recent GBP history.

Aaron from West St. Paul, MN

Gutey has mentioned several times that he wants to sign free agents who are on the rise, not in their twilight years. But now we've lost Wooden and Enagbare for Hargrave, and Walker for Zaire Franklin. Is the change of strategy just money or something else?

Multiple factors, I think. Read on.

Tom from Yardley, PA

It looks like we are trending toward no longer being the youngest team in the league when next season starts which is fine by me. I'm really glad Brenton Cox Jr. is coming back. I hope he can stay healthy and see the field more as he is really disruptive. What's the most surprising move for you that's been made so far this offseason?

I'll admit I'm a little surprised the Packers have acquired two defenders on the wrong side of 30 (Franklin turns 30 before training camp). One was no shock, but two was definitely unexpected. Gutey always has the future in mind, as he should, but this speaks to a concerted effort to balance those future considerations with the opportunity this team has in the here and now, following the Micah Parsons acquisition last summer.

Jeff from Champlin, MN

Hmmm, how do you minimize future second-half collapses by your team? I believe it no coincidence Gutey is sprinkling in some established veterans (All-Pro, defensive captains, another All-Pro, Super Bowl participant, lunchpail try-hard guy) for multiple reasons. Sure, they should be productive players, but they are also likely to help lead this young defensive squad when times are tough. Of course, this is not all on the D, but I like the way this is trending. May still be another vet coming.

I understand where you're coming from, but that isn't necessarily top of mind for me. It's more about the change at defensive coordinator. I don't think it can be dismissed that Franklin's first three years in the league were with Gannon on the Colts' defensive staff, and Hargrave's best seasons were with Gannon as DC in Philly.

Phil from Marietta, GA

Hi Mike, please delineate an overall comparison of Q. Walker leaving and the acquisition of Z. Franklin (which additionally required the trade of C. Wooden). What are the likely implications in cap room and productivity or performance? Would GB have been better off with Walker and Wooden vs. having Franklin? Or isn't it that simple? Thanks.

I mentioned earlier this week that Franklin's salary is half of Walker's, and that Wooden became a one-dimensional player, a run stopper but not a pass rusher. I think ultimately it came down to Walker's price being too high for a player who doesn't make enough high-impact plays. Zero INTs or forced fumbles either of the last two years, and no more than 2½ sacks in any season in his career. If you had told me after Walker's first two seasons we'd be saying that after four, I'd have responded no way. Not saying Franklin has off-the-charts numbers in those categories, but he did have five forced fumbles in 2024 alone, and he's got more TFLs over the last four years than Walker (33 to 29). Walker might've not yet hit his ceiling, and if a change of scenery helps in that regard, good for him. But the Packers weren't going to pay a premium and hope for it, so they pivoted to a short-term fix.

David from Janesville, WI

Mike, the signing of Hargrave provides a huge boost to the D-line, but it sounds like neither he nor Devonte Wyatt are true nose tackles. With all due respect to Nazir Stackhouse and Jonathan Ford, the Packers likely need an upgrade at the nose. Do you think an immediate starter can be found on day two of the draft? Raji did it, but he was a top-10 pick. I have heard this draft has decent mid-round depth on the defensive line.

I'm not sure how much Gannon plans to use a true nose with how multiple his defense is. His thoughts in that regard would determine how big an investment to make in one.

Darrel from Pueblo, CO

II, with the signing of Franklin, does that mean anything for Ty'Ron Hopper?

It means he needs to be ready to compete wherever he might fit best in Gannon's defense, and if he winds up LB4, he must be ready if/when his number is called.

Sean from Palatine, IL

Good morning Insiders! Feels like a few years in a row we've been concerned with OL depth, looking for the right pieces or replacing outgoing players. No chortling here, but appreciative our conversations are almost always about depth and not "who is the Day 1 LT?" A lot of teams have a hard time finding at least five guys they're comfortable with.

Many are no longer here, and not all the picks have worked out, but Gutey has drafted 15 offensive linemen in eight drafts. There's a reason for that.

Scott from Reno, NV

How quickly roster needs and priorities change this time of year. Looks like we have our return man, offensive line starters are set, and we have just bolstered our D-line. Seems like our biggest draft needs remain CB, line depth on both sides and RB2. Or is there still too much time left to be thinking about the draft?

Trust me, they're always thinking about the draft around here, but they may not be done building more depth at certain spots prior to the draft.

Brian from Ames, IA

Do our recent FA signing signal that Packers may be starting to care a little more about special teams?

I think the effort has been there, but the results haven't followed, for various reasons. Don't confuse outcome with intent. They brought in Hardman as a potential veteran return specialist last year, but he didn't make the team. Trying again now with Moore. We'll see.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Spoff, are we still in line for the maximum four compensatory picks? The corner we signed should be canceled out by losing Enagbare. That would leave picks for Walker, Walker, Willis and Doubs (sounds like a law firm name), or am I wrong? If so, what an opportunity to restock the shelves and build good depth.

That's how it appears to shake out at the moment, as long as Moore's contract doesn't qualify in the comp pick formula. Hargrave won't count because he was released, and there's also the extra fourth-rounder coming from Dallas for Gary.

Tom from Appleton, WI

Is there a cutoff date that the signing of an unrestricted free agent will not impact future compensatory pick calculations?

Yes, it's in early May.

Patrick from Tampa, FL

Given the Keisean Nixon and other previous history, it seems that little value is given to pure kick returner types. If the average kickoffs per game is 4-5 and the average punts are 3-4, that's 7-9 kick returner touches potential per game. The average WR gets like 4-5 targets per game. So given the impact ST can make and the excitement a good returner brings to the fan base, why aren't these guys more valued and why do we always seem to take them out of their most complementary roles?

Because the injury risk is real.

Craig from Laramie, WY

Do you and/or Wes play cribbage? My free agency perspective is most akin to being dealt six cards but having to give up two and then getting two new ones. And even then, you still have to see what card gets cut. Only then do you start to peg and count your points. I love it when I have six great cards but hate that I can't keep 'em all. Right now, I'm just waiting to see the hand we're dealt in FA and the draft in 2026. "Hope springs eternal" – Alexander Pope, 1733

I love cribbage, and free agency sometimes feels like playing it when the crib's never yours.

Bob from Norway

Not a question, just a word of thanks for providing a piece of home and the offseason for me while on the most remote island on the planet. Your insights into the best team in the world continue to warm my day. The peculiarities of free agency have been entertaining to follow from afar, but thank goodness I'll be home to watch the draft.

Safe travels home, to wherever that may be. Happy Friday.

HAVE A QUESTION?