Kevin from Westminster, CO

Did II break a record for submissions?

We're drinking through a firehose with a cardboard straw right now.

Dar from Mansfield, TX

Wes, so you were standing on your balcony in a smoking jacket, sipping from a snifter of root beer, when the Hod Signal lit the sky and you learned of the Micah Parsons trade. You instinctively slid down the pole into the Hod Cave. What happens next when big news breaks?

I finished my question to Mark Murphy at his Packers Hall of Fame news conference? But seriously, it's surreal the way everything unfolded this week. We're gonna remember this one for a long, long time.

Lori from Brookfield, WI

Wes, are you more surprised the Packers spent the big bucks on a player in a trade or that the Cowboys let Micah Parsons go? Please tell us the Packers looked this gifted horse/edge rusher in the mouth, and he'll be good to go for the opener.

I am more surprised that the Cowboys let Parsons go than I am Green Bay paid him. The guy has clearly earned the right to be the NFL's highest-paid defensive player based on his performance through his first four seasons. We'll see how the next week goes, but Parsons doesn’t sound like someone who plans on being a scratch against Detroit. He's been champing at the bit to get going. It may take a second to get him up to speed on the defense, but Parsons is no ordinary athlete…or pass rusher.

Steve from Middletown, KY

Good morning! Did we just learn, never say never? Bold is an understatement. Conservative flew out the window. Anyway, being a younger team with experience and adding Parsons, definitely points to win-now and maintain mode. Hated to see Kenny Clark go, so I hope the other guys' motivation can hit another gear. Micah Parsons hasn't been practicing so I hope he is in shape and ready to hit the floor running for Week 1. Here we come NFC North! GPG!

As Brian Gutekunst said earlier this week, you're never one player away, but trading for a superstar like Parsons is a game-changing move that resets the chessboard (no pun intended). The Packers not only added a difference-maker to their football team but also a three-time All-Pro who's just now entering the prime of his career. They made a clear statement with this move.

Joe from Swansea, IL

Now to the important question: What number will Micah Parsons wear? Will he get '11' from Jayden Reed? If so, what was the deal to make it happen? If not, what's next?

Parsons will wear No. 1, and I honestly love the idea. I understand traditionalists may not like it, but a lot of college programs honor their best players and leaders by giving them No. 1. I think it'd be cool to honor Curly Lambeau in a similar way by having credentialed veterans, like Parsons, wear it moving forward. Just one writer's opinion.

Craig from Brookfield, WI

How difficult will it be for Jeff Hafley to rethink his defense and move away from much of what they've practiced since the first day of training camp? Of course, this is a great problem to have! Rashan Gary must be licking his chops to know that opposing OCs and QBs will be focused elsewhere.

There's so much multiplicity within Hafley's scheme that I don't think it'll be a problem. Parsons can pretty much play anywhere whether you want him rushing off the edge or work him into the interior blitz concepts that Green Bay already utilizes with Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Wes, I'm guessing you are fielding an Inbox surge today given the Parsons trade. It will be great to see how Hafley utilizes his new toy. My question: Which Packers player (or players) will lose snaps because of the trade?

Depth is always appreciated at edge rusher, so I say the more playmakers the better. I don't think Parsons robs any one individual of playing time rather than lessen the burden for the whole. I feel like the Packers just added the best possible ingredient to an already great recipe.

Patrick from Moreno Valley, CA

With Micah Parsons now in Green Bay, how do you see his presence changing the defensive scheme, especially in terms of freeing up Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness?

First, Gary and Van Ness are going to see far fewer double teams. Hafley also has shown a knack for sending anyone and everyone at the QB. With Clark's departure, we could easily see Gary, Van Ness or another D-end bumping inside to three tech in third-down passing situations.

Joel from Show Low, AZ

Wes, the chips are all in. I never thought we would have pulled the trigger on this trade. Does Gutey have to run this by Ed Policy? With next year's 19 free agents, it looks like we may have to let some good players go. Parsons' contract eats up a chunk of the cap. Thank you Kenny Clark for all you meant to the Packers. On to the Super Bowl! GPG!

Gutekunst kept Policy abreast of what was happening, and the Packers president and CEO was nothing but supportive. Several times Gutekunst referred to this trade as a "unique" and "rare" opportunity to acquire a once-in-a-generation player. Parsons' contract eats into the cap somewhat, but the Packers can use the last year of his rookie deal to soften the blow somewhat. The first three years are still palatable enough for the Packers to retain the nucleus they've built.

Bart from Boise, ID

Do you foresee and more trades or signings to shore up the interior defensive line now that Clark is gone?

I'm not sure I'm the person to ask about forecasting trades. My clairvoyance button seems on the fritz.

Evan from Syracuse, NY

Hey Wes, what does crow taste like?

What crow? I didn't pull a John McClain saying I'd eat my newspaper if the Packers traded for Parsons. My issue was – and will forever be – fake or speculatory Facebook posts related to this football team. I said earlier this week we can have a conversation about the possibility of the Packers trading for Parsons. I deemed it unlikely – not based on Parsons' ability but rather on Green Bay's track record. I told Matt Ramage last week it was going to take a lot to acquire a player of Parsons' caliber. Again, the biggest hurdle of all appeared to be Dallas allowing perhaps the best pass rusher of his generation to leave in the prime of his career. This proved to be the exemption that reformed the rule. If I must eat crow for that, then fine, but there's a bullseye on the dartboard for reason. Brian Gutekunst and the Packers' front office aimed bravely and hit dead center.

Arthur from Eau Claire, WI

Well, it's been quite the lead up to this season. The draft in Lambeau, the first Round 1 receiver drafted in a long time, Mr. Murphy leaving, Mr. Policy starting, and now (a fan perspective) a monster trade. Will it be a win like Reggie or Brett or a dud like the Bears and Mack? Only time will tell. Mike and Wes, I would like to give you a hearty THANKS for trying your absolute best to keep fans' feet on the ground! I don't envy you on the Inbox after the first loss. GPG!

That was then and this is now, but I feel like this Green Bay squad is much further along in its championship pursuit than the Bears were when they acquired Mack in 2018.

Kevin from Bettendorf, IA

As great as Parsons has been and we hope continues to be, a successful Packers' season still rests on positive developments to the questions we've had all summer. Whether it's Jordan Love, the offensive line, the wide receivers and cornerbacks, Luke Musgrave or MarShawn Lloyd, we'll have lots to talk about this year besides Parsons.

It's a 53-man roster and not a one act play. The Packers aren't asking Parsons to save them. They just need him to be who he is while the rest of the roster does the same.

Alan from Mount Auburn, IL

Hello! Adding Parsons and losing Kenny Clark also adds to the Packers being one of the youngest NFL teams. How do the Packers stand now in that department?

We won't get the NFL's official superlatives until after Week 1, but early indications were the Packers would be the league's youngest team for the third straight year even before they traded Clark. Now, the young get younger, but whatever Green Bay lacks in birthday candles it makes up for in experience. These guys have played a lotta football.

Monty from Velva, ND

With the big trade, we are down to five interior linemen on the roster and Nazir Stackhouse being the only big-bodied run stuffer. Do you think we need to make a move to add one of those guys?

The defensive line certainly takes a hit with the loss of Kenny Clark, but the Packers have confidence in that unit and the players who'll be called upon to help replace the three-time Pro Bowler. Green Bay could always add someone to the mix, but everything starts up front with Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden. They've been building to this moment.

Vishnu from Santa Clara, CA

So, the Packers may not have any first-round picks in 2026 or 2027. I'm thinking the comp pick situation may be quite lucrative in 2027, though. More bites at the apple, right?

A lotta ballgame left. And we've seen before how quickly Gutekunst can trade one first-round pick before happening upon another.

Aaron from McFarland, WI

Hi guys. I was just wondering what effect trading away one of the most popular leaders on the team has on the locker room. I can imagine there is excitement for what Parsons brings to the team but sadness for losing a long-term teammate. But in your experience can there be anger and resentment towards the incoming player or the organization? Or does everyone just accept it's just business?

Gutekunst was asked the same question. Clark is an unquestioned leader of this football team. I wrote as recently as two weeks ago about how Clark spoke up in the post-game locker room after the loss to the New York Jets. At the same time, you gotta give something to get something and I think the locker room gets that.

Scott from Sauk City, WI

Mike, I wholeheartedly agree with your conversation about the dangers of an 18-game season. But I'm sitting here nodding in agreement and remembering what I did last night. I gave up over three hours of my night watching a Wisconsin team that hasn't been a contender for anything in a while play 60 minutes of mostly 3-0 football after losing QB1 in the first half. People (me included) will watch anything football. There are no limits. If I watched that slop, I'll do the same with 18 NFL games.

It's a fair point, particularly in the present day. Networks want live sports, and the NFL is the biggest show in town. As I've said before, I don't want the National Football League losing what makes it special. That's not even delving into the potential conflicts with player safety.

Steve from Flagstaff, AZ

Good morning. With about a week away do you know which the starting five on the O-line will be? With free agency, the draft, training camp, preseason games, and injuries there certainly has been a lot of shuffling around. Is there a possibility we may not know until kickoff time on Sept. 7?

If the Packers have decided on their starting five, Matt LaFleur isn't giving that information away willingly. We'll likely find out when the offense hits the field next weekend.

Dennis from De Pere, WI

Will Matthew Golden catch the deep ball on the Packers' first offensive play this season?

Only one way to find out.

Jason from Ammon, ID

Greetings, friends! Money be green, and I'm glad it's not my checkbook. One thing I love about fandom is I can enjoy watching events unfold with zero sense of responsibility. Can't wait to see Mr. Parsons impact on the D. The lives of three offensive coordinators got much more difficult a few days ago.

Everyone knows the stakes. Bring on the battle in the North.

George from North Mankato, MN

I wish Kenny Clark the best. Such a great player and person. I was very happy that his father finally got a chance to watch him play in person. Any favorite stories or memories?

It hurt; probably more than any other departing Packers player I've covered. Green Bay drafted Clark three days after I started with packers.com in April 2016 and he quickly became an all-time favorite of mine to cover at any level in my 20-year career. He could've been the third-best defensive lineman on Bay Port's football team and it would've been equally enjoyable. Clark is the salt of the earth and that's a credit to him, his parents and his entire support system. I mean, you don't get twice nominated as the team's Walter Payton NFL Man of Year by accident. I could fill an entire Inbox with Kenny Clark stories, but there was one in particular that makes my heart smile and that's the day he got introduced to my son at a local restaurant here in Green Bay. I'll leave the details to my memory, but my kiddo is a human tornado and extroverted beyond measure for someone his age. We're talking about a child who runs to Santa, not from him. Needless to say, Kenny's dinner experience probably wasn't as quiet as I'm sure he would've desired, but Cill was enamored with him from the get-go. As Clark always does, he couldn't have been kinder about the whole thing. I had a very difficult time processing Thursday night's events because I consider Kenny a friend and one of the last Packers players even within an earshot of my age. The memories make me smile, though. When you think of Ted Thompson's last first-round pick, I cannot think of a more deserving person or player than Kenneth Duane Clark Jr. There are few better than Clark. I'm gonna miss him dearly.

Dean from Leavenworth, IN

The bar skyrockets and Wes is left holding the bag once again.

Some things never change.

Steve from Anchorage, KY

Mike? Yeah; you surprised to see me, Wes? I hope the II is full of joy that carries us through the entire season as we watch and learn what this team can become. Who says only good surprises happen at Christmas?

Sometimes, they come on the Friday before Labor Day weekend. If the Packers wind up winning a Super Bowl with Parsons on the roster, they may one day make this a four-day holiday in Wisconsin. Have a great weekend everyone.

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