Inbox: This offseason has had a bit of everything for everyone

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Spoff decomposing! I laughed the rest of the way through the column.

I saw Mike on Monday. Doesn't look a day over dead.

Greg from Rowlett, TX

I have been enjoying the Inbox this offseason. My first offseason submission. Just a personal note. Even without a first-round pick, there are now so many interesting things to watch for since the new hirings in the league. I will be tuned in on Miami's, Pittsburgh's and the Cardinals' picks and maneuvers. I thought after Mike McCarthy left Dallas, I would lose interest in my area's pro football team but no, now I have Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark to keep my interest up. As always GPG!

This offseason has had a bit of everything for everyone. There has been plenty to analyze and the Aaron Rodgers domino hasn't even fallen yet. Like you, I'm always interested in how veterans who left Green Bay perform in their new NFL city. I definitely watched more Cowboys games in 2025 than I have in the previous 10 years combined after the Micah Parsons/Clark trade last August.

Kelly from Antigo, WI

I remember sitting in Miller Park in 2008 when the Packers drafted Jordy Nelson in the second round; no first that year. My buddies and everyone around us said "Who?" We found out. Not all is lost not having a first-round pick. Go Pack!

Remember Nick Collins? Remember Greg Jennings? When fans are left saying, "Who?", it is usually a good thing for your football team.

Dan from Kenosha, WI

What makes a draft a successful one? I'm always looking for one or two immediate impact players along with two or three solid rotational guys. Throw in a couple upgrades to special teams. Is that too high of an expectation and target or not aggressive enough?

That is a good baseline. But the more a team hits on draft picks, the wider its championship window grows. I recently saw a graphic on social media talking about how bad the 2013 NFL Draft was. While the Packers took Datone Jones one spot ahead of DeAndre Hopkins and five ahead of Travis Frederick, Ted Thompson still might have had the best draft of any GM that year. On Days 2-3, Thompson drafted Eddie Lacy, David Bakhtiari, JC Tretter, Micah Hyde and Sam Barrington. That was the foundation that catapulted Green Bay into 2014 and beyond.

Darrel from Pueblo, CO

II, drafting BAP vs. Need seems like a double-edged sword. Taking BAP to prevent another team from getting them still leaves you with your need problem. Is it the size of the gap between them or what? How does Gute resolve this?

That's where the Packers' draft board and personnel reports come into play. Every now and then, there is only one guy who makes sense at a certain spot (e.g. Aaron Rodgers falling to No. 24 in 2005 when the Packers didn't have any players with first-round grades remaining). But many times, the Packers will have multiple players to choose from with comparable grades. So, you turn to needs. Look at it this way. You need a running back in your fantasy football league. Well, there's no point in reaching for one who's projected to be available two rounds from now. You're probably better off being patient and taking the best receiver at another position who is available at that point.

Andrew from Washington, DC

We learned yesterday that the last two times the Packers were without a first round pick were in 1975 and 1986. We oldsters remember the '75 pick went in the disastrous acquisition of John Hadl. Who was acquired with the '86 pick? Did that player have a better impact?

San Diego traded that No. 14 pick it received for Mossy Cade to Minnesota, which drafted defensive lineman Gerald Robinson. Robinson played eight seasons, finishing his career with 19 sacks over 89 games (28 starts).

James from Chicago, IL

Twenty years ago, I stopped watching the offseason with my heart and started watching with a business head. Things make a lot more sense. Veteran backup QB? Nice to have but that's likely $8 million. That's a lot of cap for someone you hope doesn't play. Solid player, no Pro Bowls or All-Pros, and there's a youngster at the same position, the team will probably let him test the market. I recommend all fans watch the offseason this way.

It's wild to see a few backup quarterbacks making more than 75% of the NFL's running backs.

Dave from Peshtigo, WI

"I expect Zaire Franklin and Javon Hargrave can give us some insight into him as DC when we get a chance to talk to them, too." Does that mean you can't talk to them now because of some clause in the players' contracts or is it just a matter of logistics?

It's a matter of them not being in the building at the moment. The offseason program starts two weeks from yesterday. I assume we'll talk with them shortly thereafter.

Mike from Winchester, TN

Hi Wes, you wrote a nice piece on Jeff Hafley. While I've never been interested in following the Dolphins, I'll be sure to check out a few games this season. At least I won't have to see an NFL head coach wearing capri pants! Oh, and what is the story of Wendel "Ball King" Davis?

Good for Wendel. He'd been with the Packers as a quality control assistant since Matt LaFleur's first season in 2019, a seven-year run that might be a record for a QC coach in Green Bay. He was dubbed "Ball King" last year as part of the Packers' emphasis on generating takeaways.

James from Berlin, WI

Given so much information lately on pre-draft visits, do you have any stats on how many players who visited Green Bay in past years were actually drafted by the Packers?

Yes. It's quite a few. I'll try to dig up that list.

John from Stevens Point, WI

Is Kirk Cousins the luckiest man on the planet? He's made bank throughout his career. I give credit for him for staying in shape and preparing for the rigor of another NFL season, but $20 million (Atlanta responsible for $8.7 million of it) to be a clipboard holder or the starter if Fernando Mendoza isn't ready or gets hurt? What were the Raiders' other options? What are your thoughts?

It was the perfect signing for the Raiders, who now can develop Mendoza at their own pace. It is also yet another win for Cousins, who continues to find innovative ways to rake in money. Cousins not only gets $10 million guaranteed after most thought he would need to play on the veteran minimum in 2026 but also has a chance to prove to the NFL there's still gas left in the tank.

Mark from Bellevue, WI

I stumbled upon a Kurt Warner article, and it got me to look at the 1994 Packers preseason QB room. Brett Favre, Mark Brunell, Ty Detmer and Kurt Warner opened the preseason on the roster. That room produced 342 wins in the NFL, 934 TDs and two Hall of Famers. Much more than Joe Montana/Steve Young (211 wins, 505 TDs and two HOF). Do you recall another team that had such an amazing preseason QB room? This really made me appreciate all the more how strong Ron Wolf was at building a team in addition to Mike Holmgren's ability to tutor.

That was a special group, and those guys didn't get here by accident. Wolf and his front office knew how to unearth talent at the game's most important position.

James from Appleton, WI

The Bears won the division with a 2-4 record against the division. In the past 20 years, the next worst division record by this division's winner was 3-2-1 as Green Bay finished 8-7-1 in the 2013 season. Otherwise, 4-2, 5-1 or 6-0. Is that 2-4 mark an omen or an opportunity for Chicago?

It is whatever the Bears make it. But I know this…based on how Ben Johnson carried himself, Chicago better keep winning. If the Bears do, Johnson will look like a genius. If they don't…well…they better keep winning.

Jason from Ammon, ID

Greetings and good morning, friends. It's bologna season, so hopefully I can be forgiven for possibly breaking a rule about how the meat is made. Is the comment, "If the first three do their jobs exceedingly well, the fourth's job is exceedingly easy" really accurate? Is it easier to write when things are going well, or do adversity and challenge assist the muse? Also, any particular starts you're especially psyched out of your mind about? An idea where you're just like...yeah?

Writing is writing. It's what we do. Even when things aren't going well, I still enjoy connecting with fans and explaining everything that's happening with the team. Adversity makes achievement taste that much sweeter.

Bill from Portugal

Hi II, I've always wanted to get an II question answered from an international location and this is my last chance since I return to the U.S. in a couple days. Do you think some of our fourth-quarter losses are because our endurance is worse than our opponents'? If so, then maybe it's because of too many second half three-and-outs, or maybe other teams train harder. How does a conditioning coach know they pushed the players the right amount to succeed at the end of the game?

I don't think it's an issue with conditioning or physical endurance, Bill. I think it's a young football team still learning how to win. Thank you for making Inbox a part of your routine, even when abroad.

Preston from Tallahassee, FL

In most any sport, the atmosphere enables and the lack of does the same. I'm curious about your thoughts on whether the GBP's struggle in recent years with "big games" comes, in part, from the number of season ticket holders who sell their seats to opponents' fans? I have long believed there is a legal way to prevent it whether is a change of terms from "selling" to "leasing." Insist in the season-leasing agreement sub-leasing must be to those on the waiting list first. There has to be a way.

I mean, it doesn't help. The Packers need to play better at Lambeau Field, particularly as the weather starts to dip. But the fans have a part to play, too. Being at U.S. Bank Stadium and Ford Field the past few years, I can tell you those fans desperately want to beat the Packers, and they have no qualms making that known.

Thomas from Edgewood, NM

Just spent the last part of the week (Wednesday thought Saturday) in the hospital. I'm trying to recover from having my aorta repaired. Energy level sucks. Having no contact with the Packers, did I miss anything important? I hate to go to the hospital but having had some chest pain in the past, I knew something was wrong as they had to drain a liter of blood from my lung sac. It really sucks to grow old. Go Pack Go.

I'm sorry to hear that, Thomas, and hope you feel better. It was a quiet NFL Annual Meeting, so you did not miss anything too significant. You can catch up on what LaFleur, Brian Gutekunst and Ed Policy had to say here.

Steve from Ankeny, IA

I have to state a little issue I have with Taylor from Hopkins, MN, who said maybe II should be published less often to improve the content. I look forward to reading both of you every day, and part of the reason is because it feels like a bunch of Packer fans sitting around a table enjoying talking about the team they love. Don't change, keep up the great work!

Don't take it personally. I think Jim was just having a rougher day than usual.

JD from Madison, WI

Speaking of NFL refs. Do you think a "Hard Knocks" season on NFL refs would bring to light just how hard of a job it is? Especially the umpire position. I for one would not want to be in the middle of 200-300 pound men running at full speed trying hit someone while doing my job. Do you think the NFL would consider it?

I've never doubted how difficult it is to be an official. I've just grown a bit tired of the officials telling me how difficult it is to be an official.

Nick from Jim Thorpe, PA

What are your thoughts on the Patriots game next year? What's Foxborough like? The in-laws are Patriots fans, so we're trying to go.

Foxborough is not the easiest NFL stadium to get in and out of, but it's one of the league's best venues. If you guys have time and a little patience, I think you'll enjoy it. For us, that road trip is always a treat.

Harry from Rochester, NY

Do you believe eventually Lambeau Field will have to change its name? Help me understand why?

No. Please read my story from the NFL Annual Meeting.

Margeaux from Tallahassee, FL

Good morning, Wes! What would your response have been to Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN?

Indubitably.

Bob from Covington, KY

Hi, guys. I rarely get published and have never been selected for the big hallmarks like first or last question. But I have "won the internet" twice... Hod-dingnagian nickname for Wes and current tariff rates on signing Canadian QBs. So, I got that going for me.

…which is twice as nice.

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