There are certain guidelines teams follow but always exceptions to the rule

Wes Hodkiewicz

Rob from Circle Pines, MN

Is there an update on howMicah Parsonsis doing?

He seemed to be scootin' around pretty well at the Pro Bowl.

JD from Wausau, WI

If you're spending the better part of a decade in college, you're either going to be a doctor or selling brake pads for your father's auto parts business.

Whatever it takes. But just to clarify, that wasn't a comment on the players' post-football pursuits. My point was it's not a great sign for your NFL prospects if you spend the length of a respectable NFL career playing college ball.

Matt from Greensboro, NC

My question is about draft classes, but I do have to admit my heart skipped a beat when my news aggregator popped up a headline of a second state besides Indiana proposing a home for the Bears. Maybe I bit the click bait too hard but was relieved to see it was Iowa. I believe it was a Vicism saying you needed three years to grade/judge a draft class. So, 2023: knocked it out of the park with TEs, did really well withDontayvion WicksandJayden Reed.Lukas Van Nessis still a work in progress. Solid B overall?

Illinois, Indiana and Iowa fightin' over the Bearswho'd a thunk it? Can you imagine replacing the trademark "C" on the helmet for an "I?" To your question, throw whatever grade you want on it, but the fact remains the 2023 class sent the Packers' post-Rodgers rebuild if you wanna call it that into hyper speed and could easily catapult Green Bay to a championship in 2026. That 2023 class still has upside, too, whether it's Van Ness taking the next step orTucker Kraftgetting healthy and continuing on his All-Pro trajectory.

Johnny from Madison, WI

I saw a quote today, "Staying at the top is harder than getting there." Reminded me of when you guys say we'll see if a team can "handle success." It also reminded me of the fact that the Packers have mostly been picking in the back third of the first round for the past 30 years and how difficult it is to sustain success in that parity-favoring environment.

That's another thing about Seattle's reset. The Seahawks picked inside the top 10 in 2022-23 and in the teens the past two years. That's fertile ground from which to build.

John from Stevens Point, WI

What is the recipe for success in 2026-27? Is there an X-factor on the team, someone who was with the team this past season, that could be a difference-maker this coming season?

Matthew Goldenimmediately came to mind.

Ed from Minneapolis, MN

Hey Wes, I know Vic used to say "players, not plays." It seems like the NFL has trended to three body types: the 300-plus pound trenchmen, the approximately 250-pound thumpers, and the 200-pound (and less) speedsters/skill-position players. Is this accurate? Should I put aside my old school notion of Player X is a blank position player? Is this just how Matt LaFleur uses his chess pieces? Welcome back.

There are certain guidelines teams follow but also exceptions to the rule. Two prime examples areSavion Williamscarrying the ball out of the backfield andCollin Oliverusing explosiveness to pressure the QB. Football is football at the end of the day and the players who use their God-given gifts to their fullest reap on the benefits. To LaFleur's credit, he's done well to maximize his players' abilities whether it's a future Hall of Famer like Aaron Rodgers or an in-season waiver claim like Tyler Ervin.

Hannes from Glendale, WI

Regarding the Packers' loss of pending free agents, this season I am absolutely clueless on how the front office prioritizes and values them relative to how the rest of the league does (and I've been very clueless before). How would you approach this, if you had to?

I fall on your side of the fence. It's always fascinating to watch deals come together during the opening days of free agency. We can project player contracts until the cows come home, but ultimately it comes down to how the league values positions and whether teams have the available resources to get a deal done.

Jay from Town of Big Flats, WI

Wes, someone asked Mike his opinion that the Packers missed a golden opportunity for a Super Bowl this year feeling that the competition was lessened of sorts and he flatly disagreed. I must admit, I shared the same feeling as the submitter no juggernaut teams to face and New England was a bit green. Seattle was impressive, but with a healthy Packers roster playing on a home field I felt it was indeed a missed opportunity. I know, it was what it was, and we will get over iteventually. Your thoughts?

I also would disagree. The Seahawks were a No. 1 seed. This wasn't the 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers or anything. I feel this season maybe more than most the NFL crowned its rightful champion. Seattle was consistently dominant, especially on defense.

Jeff from Athens, WI

With the Super Bowl over and everyone's attention turning to the draft, free agency and planning for next season's roster, it feels to me like this is sort of a relaxing lull between major offseason events. Does it feel the same for you? If so, how do you go about finding the excellent material you write about in the offseason. You guys always do a tremendous job and are absolutely top notch!

This is the second biggest lull of the offseason other than the break between minicamp and training camp. As I get older, I've learned to appreciate this winter siesta. It's not only a great time to burn PTO but also allows us to begin planning for next seasonwhich will be here before we know it.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

Hi Wes, on ESPN Madison, Jason Wilde was talking about his distaste for UFC. He mentioned you and how incongruous it is with your personality being one of the nicest people he's ever met, that you "have a bloodthirst" for the sport. That made me chuckle. When the free agency talk gets to you, you should make the offenders fight UFC style to get their questions answered.

I totally understand and appreciate that perspective. To each their own. My only push back is on the notion of bloodthirst. Maybe that's what some fight fans desire, but that's not what MMA is about for me. I enjoy the suspense before, during and after the fight. I view the UFC as the ultimate chess match where the best fighters in the world bring their skills to the Octagon and determine who is the very best at their craft and specialization. It's also a sport where one combatant can dominate for 24 minutes and still lose in the final seconds. You can never let your guard down.

Ed from Chippewa Falls, WI

Some sports have a sign-and-trade option, NBA for one. Why can't Green Bay sign and tradeMalik Willisif both sides agree? I'm sure some team out there would trade up.

I mean, you can do that with the franchise tag. It's just gonna come at a premium cost (e.g. Davante Adams). Either way, I still prefer the compensatory system to sign-and-trade.

Dennis from De Pere, WI

Hello Wes, Mike McCarthy looks to be getting the band back together. Should he be infusing more coaching talent he doesn't know, or is he on a mission from God?

Maybe both? Football is a who-ya-know business. When NFL head coaches get new gigs, you typically see many familiar faces on their staffs.

Terry from Cary, IL

Hi Wes. The story about Sam Darnold having to pay California taxes for playing in the Super Bowl in that state raises the question of how something similar affects you and Mike. When you travel with the team for an away game, do you have to file a tax return with the state in which the game was played because that is where you earned a portion of your income?

Yep. I enjoy writing a $16 check to the controller of Pennsylvania every few years.

Roger from Rothschild, WI

U.S. Olympic curler Aidan Oldenburg hails from La Crosse. The Senior Men's National Curling Championship is being held at the Wausau Curling Club, this Thursday through Sunday. Seventy-eight teams representing clubs from all corners of America. Any thought of driving over and filling in as sub?

Ha. I was barely good enough for the Monday night league at the Green Bay Curling Club. Curling is an awesome sport, though, and boatloads of fun.

Matt from Madison, WI

I am also enjoying the curling. Currently watching the USA women. What was your best curling shot in your career Wes?

I was a lead, so my job was to place stones in front of the house. However, few things in life are more satisfying than placing a shot dead center when your team has the hammer.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

I'm not a fan of self-evaluations, Wes. But if I had to do one right now on myself, I would have to say I stink as an ice fisherman.

Hey, there are worse things to be bad at.

Hannes from Glendale, WI

So, with the combine being next: Culver's or Steak'n Shake?

With all due respect to our good friend Dan, I still say Culver's. I put Steak'n Shake ahead of In-N-Out, though.

Dan from Rothschild, WI

Regarding Wes and his "If there's a better fast-food option in America, I've yet to patronize it." remark. Have you never heard of A&W? Blows Culvers away.

I have heard of A&W. I drive past it on my way to Culver's.

Colleen from Blair, NE

Should life ever bring you to Nebraska, perhaps to visit the College World Series or the No. 1 rated zoo in the U.S. (both in Omaha), I suggest eating at Runza. Nothing beats Culver's custard, but a Runza burger is the best fast-food burger. We know how to do beef in Nebraska. You could try a Runza sandwich, but the burgers are where it's at.

I'll add 'er to the list.

Mike from Socorro, NM

Having turned 77 one week before the Super Bowl (seen every one but never attended one), I have finally come to terms with the offseason and found the positive side. At my age, time seems to be running at the speed of an F1 car (McLaren fan here), which means the offseason will seem much shorter than previous years. Yaaaaaaaaaaaay!

Congrats on another year around the sun, Mike. Here's to a McLaren-esque season for the GBP in 2026.

Fred from La Crosse, WI

Longtime reader, longer time fan and sometime posted submitter. Let me throw all this out there to see if it sticks: I saw Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant in Detroit at WrestleMania III. I always feel so cozy on a frigidly cold game day at Lambeau. I thought A.I. was possibly short for Artificial Intelligence with his excellent insider work and finally, what's not math about Roman Numerals?

It might not have all stuck, but there sure was something in there for everyone.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Responding to Paul from Las Vegas: No, I'm not employed by II. I lack the education, experience, and penchant for remembering movie quotes possessed by team Spoff/Hod. With that said, any implication that I'm on the payroll is taken by me as a huge compliment. Thank you! You made my day!

What the "Artificial Intelligence" crew fails to realize is Al is actually an acronym for "Absolute legend." Have a great Tuesday.

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