Doug from Neenah, WI

Welcome back, Wes. Are the Packers a better team now compared to before you left on vacation?

Yes. I feel quite strongly about that, actually.

Richard from Farmington Hills, MI

Adding Bob Harlan to the façade is long overdue. I have submitted a few suggestions to the Inbox over the years to do this. This is the only one that got a response: "This Lombardi-era Packers owner believes he (Jack Vainisi) belongs next to Ted Thompson on the façade of the stadium in the northeast corner. I'd also add Harlan to that corner." Wes, you responded as follows in Feb. 2022: "No lies detected on any of this."

I was out last week, so please spare me a few moments to honor and appreciate Bob Harlan. I'm sure Bob would've pushed back at the idea of his name being added to the Lambeau Field façade because his humility wouldn't allow for such a thing. But I can't think of anyone more deserving to be honored on this fabled stadium. Because Harlan safeguarded Lambeau Field for generations of Packers fans. He was a visionary but also one of us. Harlan fought for the future of this franchise and the surrounding communities – even when 47% of Brown County's residents objected to the game-changing 2000 referendum. I remember my grandfather schooling me about the importance of the referendum passing. Little did either of us know that would someday be my employer. For that reason and so many more, we all owe Bob Harlan a debt of gratitude. Without him, we might not be here today.

John from Freedom, WI

I believe there is a "sneaky" draft need at guard that's not being discussed much. We have Anthony Belton at RG, who showed promise but is a converted OT with less than a season of experience. And at LG is Aaron Banks, who although experienced didn't exactly light the world on fire last season for a variety of reasons. Behind that, there's precious little depth. I'd love to see Brian Gutekunst grab Emmanuel Pregnon, Chase Bisontis, or my favorite sleeper Febechi Nwaiwu from Oklahoma. Guard might be the biggest OL need of all!

I think the Packers have a need for offensive linemen. I don't know whether specific positions matter. As you outline, there are options if Green Bay wants to draft an interior lineman but simply finding another Lane Taylor or Lucas Patrick also would do wonders. Just a gritty, overlooked prospect with a chip on his shoulder, fire in his belly and the ability to play multiple positions without a dip.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, based on Spoff's response, it would appear that drafting for BAP includes need. Depends on what your definition of "best" is, eh? Given the Packers always consider fit, it's not a stretch to presume need is baked in, as well. I would expect the Packers will at least double up on CBs in this draft.

If the past eight years proved anything, Gutekunst will not be painted into a corner on draft night. The Packers may have a need a corner, but he still made it a point to sign Benjamin St-Juste. Needs are always relative.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

A review of our depth chart screams cornerback be multiple picks in this draft. Who are some of the corners that might be available when we select in the second round? Who might be sleepers that could be had in the later rounds?

It seems like a deep draft for corners. Although the top 5-7 guys might be off the board when the Packers pick, quality players should still be available at No. 52 whether it's Duke's Chandler Rivers, 6-foot-2 Davison Igbinosun or Daylen Everette (if the Packers want to keep the Georgia trend going). I'm also intrigued by Alabama's Domani Jackson as a possible third-round target and Washington's Tacario Davis, who'd be in the running for the tallest cornerback in Green Bay history at 6-4.

Jim from Eau Claire, WI

Hi Wes, welcome back. I hope you enjoyed your time off. Of all the players the Packers lost this offseason, who will you miss the most?

Rashan Gary. He was all business but also approachable in the locker room. Gary also adopted a lot of Marcedes Lewis' prehab and rehab routine, which carried Big Dog's legacy on inside the Packers' locker room a few more seasons. Losing Kenny Clark and Gary within seven months of each other is tough, but that's the sport. Like I wrote on Tuesday, I'm excited to see what Lukas Van Ness and Co. do with the additional playing time.

Larry from Green Valley, AZ

I would like to hear your post-mortem on Gary' s career here. For me, he was a reach as a No. 1 pick to begin with. He played well in his contract year as many players do and then essentially disappeared. Was it his lack of overall talent (one-trick pony bull rush), coaching, players around him, loss of desire? There is something more to his story and I am curious to hear your take. Thoughts?

I don't disagree there were fits and starts in Gary's production. At times, it appeared he'd push for 15 sacks, but then he also had stretches like last season when sacks were tough to come by. The expectations were astronomically high, but Gary didn't shy away from them. I'll remember his performance in 2021 after Za'Darius Smith went down and the three-sack game in Detroit.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Wes, welcome to the Weston II Marathon! You've got this! My question: We know (or at least hope) contract extensions are coming for some key players, including Christian Watson, Tucker Kraft and Devonte Wyatt. If you are Gutey, and knowing it takes two to tango, what is the preferred timing to get these done?

It's a tricky question because Wyatt and Kraft are both coming off significant injuries and Watson is a little more than a year removed from a torn ACL himself. That said, those are arguably three of the top 5-7 players on the entire team. I don't know how realistic it is to sign Kraft and Wyatt to long-term deals before they return to field, but never say never. I also have my eye on Watson. The ball has bounced quite a bit at receiver since Davante Adams was traded four years ago this week. No. 9 could be the one to stop it.

James from Appleton, WI

Is Karl Brooks a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside of an enigma, or did he just have a down year? How optimistic do you feel about him?

I'm not sure what happened last year. Brooks played a career-high 619 snaps but finished with just a half sack that represented his only tackle for loss. Defensive line is a strange position, though. Brooks easily could follow that up with a career year in 2026.

Lane from Hurricane, UT

What can you tell us about Desmond Ridder? Do you think he is a viable replacement for Malik Willis after being coached up? I see a lot of clickbait about getting a more experienced backup QB, but what do you hear about Ridder's potential to fill that role?

Atlanta thought enough of Ridder to draft him ahead of Willis in 2022 and start him for two seasons. However, the former Cincinnati quarterback has been on a bit of an adventure as of late, spending time on five rosters over the past two years. Right now, I see Ridder competing with Kyle McCord for the QB3 job. His foot is in the door, though. If you're on the offseason roster, that means you have a shot.

Nash from Milwaukee, WI

Tucker Kraft last year averaged 11.1 yards after contact before he got hurt. DAWG! But Luke Musgrave was drafted before Kraft, has dealt with injuries and has been sort of quiet in the passing game. Do you think Luke still has a chance to become relevant in our offense?

Absolutely. My dream scenario for next season would be for Kraft and Musgrave to finally play together, as much as they can, once No. 85 is back on the field. The two play the tight end position differently, but Musgrave showed his downfield playmaking ability in Kraft's absence.

Tom from Nolanville, TX

Would not the performance-based pay awarded to Evan Williams fall under the LTBE and possibly a portion under the NLTBE category, with LTBE being already calculated under the cap; therefore, not a cap hit? Or does this performance based pot of gold exist in a lock box somewhere over the rainbow?

It's a different deal. Per the collective-bargaining agreement, PBP money is set aside every season to compensate players who "outplayed" their contracts. That money does not count towards the cap. What can affect the salary cap is when Day 3 draft picks play at least 35% of their team's offensive or defensive snaps during two of their first three NFL seasons. If that condition is met, players have their fourth-year salary bumped up to the same value as the lowest restricted tender that year. That raise counts towards the cap.

Gary from Sheboygan, WI

Insiders, talking about "market value" have there ever been any instances where some player was way overpaid above the market value for that position and instead of that being the new standard was ignored in any future pay negotiations for that position?

Albert Haynesworth is the first player who comes to mind. I feel like his heavily guaranteed deal did more to hurt defensive tackles than help in the long run. The contract Le'Veon Bell signed with the Jets after his year-long holdout in Pittsburgh also was a nothing burger.

Harry from Rochester, NY

Are you surprised, Romeo Dobbs didn't sign the with the Miami Dolphins, with the quarterback he knows very well, in Malik Willis?

We all love Malik, but Doubs had 68 million reasons to sign with the defending AFC champions. I'd take that to play with a 23-year-old quarterback who finished runner-up for the NFL's Most Valuable Player.

Dave from Gwinn, MI

If they do change the name, please let it be something like "Lambeau Field, presented by Fleet Farm" rather than "Fleet Farm Field."

I need not worry about tomorrow's problems when my plate is filled with a full serving of today's. We live in interesting times, and I trust Ed Policy and the Packers' top executives to guide the organization - and Lambeau Field - in the right direction.

Ryan from Annandale, MN

People still think the salary cap is a thing. Oh, this makes me chuckle. A wave of the wand here and a turn of the page here and just like that, your $60 million QB counts for $1 million against this season's cap. It's magic!

Magic with an asterisk, Ryan. A tin can in motion stays in motion until an obstruction is found.

Mike from Winchester, TN

Hi Wes, best of luck steering the ship for a while. Kudos to Matt Leinart for refusing to unretire his jersey number at USC. He earned that recognition and said, "I'm never going to un-retire my jersey for some random dude who, by the way, now could wear No. 11 and transfer after a year." Good for him!

Ridiculous, though none of this surprises me. This generation constantly falls victim to the moment without any sense of the future.

Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

Hey Wes, sorry you're stuck with us all by your lonesome for a while. Whose lunch do you steal while Spoff is away? Something tells me it's not Larry's!

Ellie Culver for obvious reasons.

Dar from Mansfield, TX

Wes, you've got two blissful weeks ahead where you don't have to worry about your lunches being stolen, and you can passive-aggressively use Spoff's desk chair as an ottoman. It's good to be king. What do you like most about having the place to yourself? And what do you like least?

I like running point, though two straight weeks of Inbox can test one's will. However, we have the NFL Annual Meetings on the horizon, which should generate a more meaningful conversation about the team.

Arn from Kenosha, WI

Good morning, Wes. In order to keep the thread going, I was wondering if, with the Exodus of prime talent, does the Job of the Judges (scouts) become more difficult? Let's hope they have a Revelation, that the Peter Principle does not apply, and we don't end in Lamentations.

All the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened.

Terry from Elroy, WI

With regard to the people who work on the NFL schedule, when they're finished making the schedule, maybe they just say to themselves, "I'm glad that's done for another year."

I assume it's like filling out an annual self-assessment at work: Boredom with a dash of pain and sorrow. On that note, have a great Thursday.

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