Inbox: Who doesn't want to see that one?

Robin from Ashburn, VA

Draft advice?

Just relax. Find your center. Picture the pick, Gutey. Picture it. Turn off all the sound. Just let it happen. Be the ball. Be the ball, Gutey…

Mark from Garden City, ID

I am on your side about the likelihood of trading Dontayvion Wicks. Funny thing is, not more than 30 minutes after I read Friday's II with agreement, the trade went down. Gave me a good chuckle and know you're not the only one eating crow.

Listen, I did a podcast with Matt Ramage pontificating on the unlikelihood of the Packers trading for Micah Parsons last August…and then days later, BOOM! Brian Gutekunst keeps us all on our toes, but he never stops looking for ways to help improve his football team.

Jeff from Ely, MN

Well, best wishes to Dontayvion Wicks. He seems to have so much upside and I for one thought he could turn into that star. But, as fans our patience ranges from "bench him" to "Oh, give him another year." But the NFL is a business and tough decisions are required. Hard to argue with Gutey on this one. I like the compensation, especially with a draft coming up rich in WRs. Here's hoping Tay finds success and not boos in Philly. Your thoughts on what made him expendable?

Wicks was a real find for Green Bay in the fifth round back in 2023 and fun football player to watch. His pass to Aaron Jones ranks up there as one of Matt LaFleur's greatest unscouted innovations. Wicks' game-sealing, shoe-losing catch against Detroit on Thanksgiving was one of the highlights of the 2025 season, as well. Wicks was beloved in the locker room, too. As difficult as it is to lose a player like that, the Packers know what's coming next offseason and are planning accordingly.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

The Packers are relying on a number of young WRs. Any chance they bring in a veteran to tutor the younger wideouts and provide a reliable presence for Jordan Love?

No. I think they're good in the veteran department. Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden form a talented trio to build the passing game around – not to mention what Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave can also provide in that department. Losing Wicks eats away at some of Green Bay's depth, but Savion Williams, Bo Melton and Skyy Moore provide sufficient depth.

Mike from Vancouver, WA

I am really looking forward to this year's home matchup with the Miami Dolphins for all the obvious reasons. I speculate that the league will schedule it in a Sunday, Monday, or Thursday evening slot due to the great storylines. Other than division opponents, which home and away games hold the most interest for you?

I think the Dolphins coming to Lambeau Field is the right answer. The storylines write themselves whether it's Matt LaFleur and Jeff Hafley matching wits or Malik Willis' return to Green Bay. My other home game would be Buffalo. Who doesn't want to see that one? It will be not only Josh Allen's second appearance at Lambeau but also the Bills' first game here since the infamous 22-0 shutout in 2018. As far as the road game, I'm personally excited to go back to New Orleans for the first time since 2014. Professionally, the trip to Foxborough to play New England is made for primetime television.

Steven from UK

How do the Packers balance modernization with preserving Lambeau's legacy? I think the organization has done a great job up to this point, but I worry about the future.

I understand your concern, but the Packers have been masterful at moving forward while honoring the past. The organization set the tone with the 2003 Lambeau Field renovation and has continued to build on that with upgrades and the development of Titletown. Everyone who works here understands we are stewards and it is our collective responsibility to leave this franchise even better than we found it for future generations.

Sam from Germantown, WI

Good morning, fellas. Does Brian Gutekunst scroll through the league transaction wire every morning? If not, who keeps tabs on all of the goings on for him?

Gutekunst and all the Packers' top executives peruse the transaction wire every day – not only to see which players become available but also to update their free-agent boards.

Bob from St. Germain, WI

Sorry if this question is too basic but you referenced providing additional players for competition. Are you saying it as a motivational tool or teaching experience? Can you provide some guidance for someone who wants to understand more? I appreciate your feedback and perspective.

All the above. Just look at the receiver corps in Green Bay. When everyone was healthy, the Packers could have easily gone six deep at wideout last season with all those young players pushing for playing time. We know the Packers' defensive line rotation will start with Javon Hargrave, Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks. It's up to the returning veterans and incoming rookies to battle it out this summer. That's what the Packers want to see. That was my point.

Bob from Emmaus, PA

Please compare Zaire Franklin and Quay Walker. Quay is younger and taller. In his rookie years, Walker had a couple of unnecessary roughness calls showing he had a temper or aggressiveness problem that he seemed to handle. Did he dial back his game too much and make him expendable?

They are two different linebackers at different points in their NFL careers. Franklin is a tackling machine whose experience and football IQ have propelled him from a seventh-round pick to an All-Pro. Walker has a first-round pedigree who leans heavily on his athleticism. I give Walker credit for how he kept his cool after a few rookie mistakes and wish him well in Las Vegas. With Edgerrin Cooper coming into his own, though, Franklin feels like the right veteran to partner with the ascending third-year linebacker.

John from Saint Paul, MN

Do you think we have the right personnel for the 3-4 defense?

Yeah, especially at inside linebacker. Add a nose tackle in the draft and I'd say the Packers are cooking with gas.

Trey from Fishers, IN

No question but I know the Inbox loves nicknames. Came across Domonique Orange from Iowa State while trying to familiarize myself with some of the players that might be around when the Packers pick and apparently his nickname is "Big Citrus"! Great nicknames keep up the great work!

Six-foot-2, 322 pounds and a 10/10 nickname. The Packers could use that kind of defensive tackle clogging up the middle.

Tallon from Castle Rock, CO

As we always see contracts rising higher each year it got me thinking, why don't we see trade prices continue to rise, as well? It seems like overall they have been pretty consistent and steady. People still use the Khalil Mack trade to the Bears as a framework for other high edge rusher-type trades. Maybe I'm just too tired to think through this fully, but I would love to hear your thoughts.

While the salary cap constantly rises, stationary assets limit what teams can do in trades. There is no inflation with draft picks like there is with the cap. If there were 400 picks now instead of 257, maybe we'd see more draft capital dealt. With teams only able to trade picks three years into the future, the price has stayed the same for the most part.

John from Green Bay, WI

Is making the best picks part luck in the end?

Maybe in the first round, but personnel departments separate themselves on Days 2-3. Given the value of rookie contracts, the best NFL franchises use those mid-to-late-round picks to gain an advantage over their peers.

Tom from Fort Myers, FL

Why don't we ever hear about the offense getting tired?

You would if skill-position players weren't allowed to sub out at will.

Ryan from Chippewa Falls, WI

To Josh from Raleigh, NC. This is exactly why I (as league manager for my FF league) made the unilateral decision years back to award defense/special teams six points for a safety. Two points seems ridiculously low for stuffing an NFL offense back into their own paint.

Especially considering how NFL officiating will strain both hamstrings and a quad to avoid calling a safety on the field.

Arthur from Eau Claire, WI

Is Love the tallest QB the Packers have had?

That distinction goes to 6-foot-7 Frank Patrick, who was drafted as a tight end but switched to quarterback during the strike. He completed eight of 23 passes for 107 yards and two interceptions in four games.

Tom from Fort Myers, FL

What was the impetus behind the K-ball? Was it the lobbying from the kickers' union? IMO it was better when placekicking was more difficult.

It was a means of preventing teams from doctoring footballs to gain an advantage.

Al from Hartford, WI

Since the topic has come up again, I'll try my question again…what can you tell us about what it means to "prep" a K-ball? If it's a team secret, that's an OK answer. And to add what I believe has worked for other submissions, "asking for a friend" and "my dying grandmother needs to know."

There is an art to it and I'm sure every NFL equipment staff has its own philosophy. Simply put, however, it's a whole lotta rubbin' and scrubbin'.

Scott from Sauk City, WI

I'm hoping that you're publishing this comment on a celebratory day, with the Wisconsin hockey program wrapping up both a men's and a women's national title in the same year, for the first time in exactly 20 years. Win or lose against Denver, what a crazy ride the men have been on. 7-1 loss in their last game before the tournament, and then a ride to the title game. It's time to reclaim our title as the official state of hockey. (Also, when can we get an NHL team?)

Congrats to the Wisconsin men's hockey team on a terrific season, but I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't pulling for Denver. I covered David Carle as an assistant coach for the Green Bay Gamblers and the young man epitomizes class. It's incredible what he's done at DU in such a short time. Carle had massive shoes to fill following George Gwozdecky and Jim Montgomery, but the fit turned out to be perfect. A tip of the cap to what Mike Hastings has built in Madison, as well.

Douglas from Washburn, WI

Using the NFL as an example of parity, would it not benefit small-market teams in MLB such as my beloved Brewers to be publicly owned like the Packers? That and a salary cap may close the extreme difference compared to say the Dodgers. Thanks, and Go Pack and Crew!

The variance of MLB TV contracts is out of control and revenue-sharing doesn't do enough to close the gap. While I appreciate the undying loyalty of the Mike Spoffords out there, my contention remains MLB needs a complete overhaul to bring back the casuals and grow its reach.

Steve from Phoenix, AZ

Your memory of trying "impromptu player interaction" reminds me of an earlier experience in Chicago – the postgame Steve McMichael show (circa 1990). He once colorfully described how he came out with a ball from the bottom of a pile and it involved Trace Armstrong grabbing another player in such a way as to loosen his grip on the football. That guy was unfiltered.

It was like UFC 4 in those streets. I never met McMichael, but he sounds like quite a character. Rob Demovsky always had such nice things to say about Mongo whenever he'd do radio with him in Chicago. One of my favorite stories was McMichael recalling how upset Bears fans got when he signed with the Packers in 1994, his final NFL season. His retort? Paraphrasing slightly, "You should be happy. I was old and washed up, and the Packers were paying for it." RIP to the former WCW United States champion.

Dan from UK

Do you throw all of today's questions out and start over the next day or do you hold over some good ones for a later day?

Depends on the day. Depends on the questions.

Asher from Las Vegas, NV

"We Love because Rodgers first left us." Does it fit?

Whatcha talkin' about, Willis?

Jeff from New Richmond, WI

I emailed you an invitation to our draft party a few days ago and I have not heard back. I sort of insinuated with my friends that one or both of you are coming, which increased the number of attendees. You have no idea how popular you guys are. I need a head count for pizzas and chairs and tables and Post-it notes and air mattresses. So, my question is are either of you coming?

The Post-it notes are tempting, but I think we're both gonna be working, Jeff. We appreciate the offer, though. And remember pepperoni and green peppers…no matter what.

Phil from Sioux Falls, SD

Since there are so many scoring changes suggestions, how about this…touchdowns are 12 points, extra points are two points, field goals are six points and safeties are four points. That should solve all the issues!

As a wise Plattevillian once said, "The draft cannot get here soon enough." Quoth the Spofford, nevermore.

Jeffery from Milwaukee, WI

Not sure if Wes was aware, but when he said, "I suppose we should give the people what they want whether they want it or not," it reminded me of my favorite James Bond movie "Tomorrow Never Dies." At the pinnacle where Bond is about to vanquish the villain Elliot Carver, Bond says to Carver, "You forgot the first rule of mass media Elliot! Give the people what they want!" I tip my cap to you guys for doing all that you do for the team. Keep giving us what we want!

The name's Hod. Wes Hod. Have a great Monday.

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