Inbox: You have to make every swing count

Luke from Dubuque, IA

Now that the Packers have excused themselves from this year's playoff contest, I find it bittersweet watching games this weekend. It's frustrating that I will not be watching the Pack. But, on the other hand, my anxiety level will finally come down. It'll be an exciting weekend of games where I have a feeling many will come down right to the wire. I'd like to see Josh Allen finally make it to the big game but at this point, anyone but the Bears! GPG!

It's the same deal with me every year…I say I'm not going to watch any of the games and then I watch all of the games.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

I think we need to draft a quality college center, which could be had in a later round. Or get an experienced free agent to anchor the O-line. Jordan Morgan, Anthony Belton, Sean Rhyan and Zach Tom with the aforementioned center makes a solid O-line. Draft a corner in the second round and a quarterback to battle Desmond Ridder for backup QB. A speedy running back, unless MarShawn Lloyd gets healthy. See…problem solved.

In nearly 10 years with packers.com, I've never wanted to talk more in mid-January about the upcoming NFL Draft. Green Bay has six picks but could pick up two more seventh-rounders through the compensatory process, according to OverTheCap. Either way, Brian Gutekunst and his scouts have a big offseason ahead of them. You have to make every swing count, especially with how many quality players the Packers could lose in unrestricted free agency.

Chip from Bev Hills, MI

If a legit criticism of Matt LaFleur is that he's slow getting rid of underperforming assistant coaches, how will management approach that topic with him?

I struggle with this line of questioning because most established NFL head coaches have the same lieutenants over the years. Sean Payton, the Harbaugh Bros., Andy Reid and Sean McDermott all have their mainstays. Mike McCarthy did, too. When McCarthy swapped out his staff in 2018, it may have been his weakest in Green Bay. Mike Tomlin shook up his offensive and defensive staffs over the last decade, but nothing really changed from a win-loss perspective. If LaFleur stays, then it's up to him to decide how he'll handle his staff. But change for the sake of change doesn't get anyone anywhere. It's the "why" behind it.

Jeffery from Monticello, WI

Hello II, I had a dream Hafley stayed and got Rashan Gary, Devonte Wyatt and Micah Parsons double-digit sacks in 2026. Don't laugh, it could happen.

Hoping for the best for Hafley and his family. He took a big risk leaving Boston College two years ago to become the Packers' defensive coordinator. If Hafley lands one of these 32 NFL coveted gigs, I applaud his return on investment. If by some chance Hafley is back in Green Bay…giddy up.

Kelly from Merrill, WI

When you mentioned Packers/Lions as most watched game broken immediately by Cowboys/Chiefs, I wondered if you had seen Packers/Bears set the record for most-streamed game ever, with an average of 31.4 million viewers and a high of 34 million during the comeback?

I did see that. I'm sure it was a thrilling game to watch for those without a dog in the race.

Jeff from Edgerton, WI

Good morning Weston! As I sit here looking out the window at yet another four inches of snow, I'm not looking forward to another two months of winter. Winter goes by MUCH faster with Packer games. Can the NFL have the first season go from the first week of November to first week of April instead? But seriously, I feel the Bears could very easily take a step back next year. Too many close victories with the right things happening late in games for them. If they "earn" their wins they had probably 6-7 wins this year.

I've gone back and forth on Caleb Williams for the past two years, but I think this season proved he'll be the Chicago Bears quarterback for the next decade. What's the Bears' ceiling with No. 18 under center? We'll soon find out, as Chicago is one of eight teams still with a shot at this chip. My mouth shall remain shut until that's no longer the case.

Ron from Mitchell, SD

Historically we've had one of the better offensive lines for the last couple decades. I feel our inability to establish a consistent run game this past season is an indictment of the O-line and its deficiencies. How did we get here when we've always had such consistent play from our offensive line?

Perhaps the most alarming aspect of the 2025 Packers was the inability to move the line of scrimmage and create lanes for Josh Jacobs and Co. I thought that might be a strength heading into the season after signing Aaron Banks, drafting Anthony Belton and moving Elgton Jenkins to center, but it didn't quite work out that way. We'll see what the offseason holds, but you could hear in the coaches' words down the stretch that'll be a major point of emphasis this offseason. Because the Packers must get back to their roots on the ground.

Rick from Orfordville, WI

Do you think we need more players like RAY NITSCHKE?

Like more Pro Football Hall of Famers? Twist my arm, but I'm not gonna say no.

Ken from Oak Ridge, TN

What's the chance that Trevon Diggs will be with the Packers next year?

If it's up to Diggs, I think he'll be here next season. It makes sense on so many levels, but it's also up to which direction Gutekunst and Co. want to head with the secondary.

Bret from Hertel, WI

Dear Wes or Mike, if you could improve only one position group from the 2025 season, which one would you improve and how would this impact the team as a whole? Thanks!

It'd be great to get some long-term clarity at cornerback. Depending on what happens with Nate Hobbs – who's due a roster bonus in March – Green Bay may need reinforcements there. Cornerback is a premium position in the NFL that requires depth. If you need any proof of that, only five of Carrington Valentine's 30 career starts have come in the first two months of the year. It's been nearly five years since the Packers used a draft pick that wasn't in the seventh round on a cornerback. It could be time.

Tim from Greensboro, NC

Morning Wes! What are the important offseason dates for roster adjustments/improvements? Thanks!

Those first two weeks of March are the checkpoint for the Packers needing to pay out roster bonuses and positioning themselves for the start of the new league year.

Chase from Diamond Springs, CA

Regarding Matt from Kula, fear actually inhibits learning and the examples like Lombardi are an exception. It may have also worked in a time when there weren't so many restrictions on practice, where that fear could motivate a level of intensity in being physically superior. In today's game the difference in talent across the league is much narrower, which demands more on the mental side as well. I'm sure there's a healthy balance somewhere.

Every era is different. The NFL is a player-driven league in 2026. I feel like LaFleur has balanced building a football program and understanding the needs of the modern athlete. We all yearn for yesteryear, but that train is so far down the tracks you can't even see the smoke anymore.

Bob from Saint Germain, WI

So, we are a draft-and-develop team, which I understand. Is there a particular reason Green Bay has gone this route? Are there other teams that have that philosophy and is there any statistical information that supports it works any better than the alternative? Appreciate your response and the great information provided by both of you guys. Go Packers!

Two words: Salary. Cap. Winning teams build their football team through the draft. Otherwise, you're overpaying for unrestricted free agents and/or relying on the NFL discard pile to fill your roster.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Wes, two questions: 1) Which game will you watch this weekend with the most rooting interest? 2) Which game most intrigues you?

I have most rooting interest in Denver and Buffalo, and the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago is the one that most intrigues me. I'm pulling for the Broncos…and no, not because of Sean Payton. I want Marcedes Lewis to go out on top. This is it, the last of Marcedes' 20 rodeos. I can think of no better way to go out than his first and only Super Bowl appearance. If not the Broncos, then I want to see Davante Adams and Los Angeles Rams to get it done…after they beat the Bears, of course.

Bruce from Jackson, WI

Here is hoping that Matthew Stafford to Adams launches the largest aerial battle at our friendly neighbors to the south Sunday night. Petty differences aside, they (Da Bears) just don't know how to win graciously, so they might as well lose and go quietly into the night. So, let's be united in our common interest in one voice, that the Bears still (stink)!

Like Rodgers, it's been four years since Adams has been to the playoffs. You know he's hungry for this opportunity. As far as the rivalry with the Bears…well, like Adams said earlier this week: "Once a Packer, always a Packer."

Ty from Dallas, TX

With the third installment next year of the "Hard Knocks In-Season (NFC East just wrapped up)," what are the odds that the NFC North is high on their list next season?

Hopefully somewhere between "Slim" and "None."

Chris from Waukesha, WI

I submitted a question Wednesday, beginning with a comment about my NY-born wife giving me an excuse to root for Buffalo the rest of the way. Said wife and I had a conversation Thursday where she made a joke about how I need to start cheering for a winning team now. I showed her the comment. You have changed my life in two ways. 1. My wife thinks I'm famous. 2. I was able to win a debate with her. I've reached the peak, and it's all thanks to Insider Inbox.

Insider Inbox…trying to get readers on their significant other's good side since 2017.

Mike from Sault Ste. Marie, Canada

Tough way to end the season, tough loss to let go of, but brought a smile to my face that you published my submission in Friday's Insider Inbox! Thank you, Mike, for answering my question. Love the content you, Wes and your team put together. Enjoy somewhat of a slower pace this next little while. Cheers!

That's the only silver lining to a mid-January playoff exit.

Jesus from El Paso, TX

I learned from Ted Lasso that all it takes to make a team great is to post a single word in the locker room. I choose the word "Finish" for next season. Which word do you choose?

On "Unscripted," I chose "Close" for both of its usages and meanings.

Marty from Plymouth, WI

Not a question, but a comment. Thanks for doing your best to provide a balanced assessment of the Packers. And thanks to many writers for their creativity. The line about "rooting for the Bears because they're in our division is like rooting for the Devil because he's in the Bible" made me laugh out loud. And as we all know, laughter is good for the soul.

Lord knows we needed as much of it as we could find this week. Have a great weekend, folks.

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