Personnel executives always have one eye locked on the future

Wes Hodkiewicz

Alan from Fresno, CA

Wait, how can the Packers make a special teams coaching hire while Spoff is still here? Don't they know they're supposed to wait until he's away?

The universe must have confused Spoff's trip to the combine for a stag party.

Benjamin from Bear, DE

There's a lot going on in regards to player evaluation, cap cutting decisions, but one what I'll call under the radar acquisition I'm excited about is the Packers new ST coordinator. I've read a few articles about Coach Cam Achord, but can you please tell all Packers fans what we changes in ST philosophy we can expect and how that will translate into performance? Thank you!

Like all of you, I'm still getting familiar with Achord myself, but he comes from the NFL's finest special-teams coaching trees in New England. Not only did Bill Belichick stress the importance of the third phase but Achord also learned from one of the very best in Joe Judge. As Spoff pointed out in the "5 things story," Achord has enjoyed success in the NFL. He won a Super Bowl and coordinated the NFL's top-ranked special teams unit in his inaugural season in the catbird's seat in New England. The Packers have shown flashes the past few years on special teams. Now, it's Achord's task to help take that unit to the next level.

Caroline from Lacey, WA

How do we get under the cap, keep all of our players, and bring in new talent to get us to the SB?

Free agency isn't complicated. The same way we balance our checkbooks. Determine what's essential to your team and proceed accordingly.

Joe from Clarksville, TN

Hey guys, with no first-round pick as of right now, I'm sure Brian Gutekunst is looking at every possibility to jump back into the first round. If we don't, then what's the chances the Packers move up the second or add an additional second pick? I like either defensive line or corner early in this draft for us (you guys share a similar position?). I'm looking at all this talent along the defensive front that will be long gone before the Packers pick on Day 2.

It's probably a stretch for the Packers to get back into the first round without a pick there this year or next, but everything else is on the table. So, you brace for all potential outcomes. It's like an old friend once told meEvery possible series of events is happening all at once. Live that way and nothing will surprise you. Everything that happens will be something that you've seen before.

Rob from Circle Pines, MN

I noticed there are five CB players with a lot of speed. It seems to me that a speedy CB can be a very valuable player on defense. How likely will the Packers be to draft a CB?

I think it's a near-certainty. Despite taking a cornerback in each of the last three drafts, Green Bay hasn't selected one outside of the seventh round since Eric Stokes (first round) and Shemar Jean-Charles (fifth) in 2021.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Wow. Some of the submissions onMalik Willisare getting a little crazy. Pump the brakes folks. I wish him the best, but once he is a full-time starter and teams get to prepare for him with lots of tape, is it not likely that his path becomes much more difficult?

Willis is a good football player who's going to make a QB-needy team better this offseason. He'll adjust as defenses adjust. However,Jordan Loveis the man here. He's proven it not only on the field but also with everything that comes with being the starting quarterback of the Packers. He handled the pressure of succeeding Aaron Rodgers as well as any heir apparent ever could and he's still getting better.

Taylor from Hull, IA

What do you think fans need to see, outside of a Super Bowl win, to be completely in on Jordan Love? I think seeing him be better in the unscripted/off-schedule moments would go a long way as the stuff that is in rhythm and on schedule looks pretty darn good.

Not sure, but they're missing one hell of a show.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

When a player invited to the combine opts out of a certain drill because of injury, must that player then be required to complete said drill at his pro day? All the teams have game tape on all these players so is the combine more about the interviews?

The player is under no obligation to perform drills, but failing to do so could be seen as a red flag. Teams want as much data as they can find on players. Generally, more question marks lead to falling down the board on draft weekend.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

One last comment on this after looking at the data. I think the reason it FEELS to me like Ted kept more of our own is because many were in the same position group and overlapped years, so it felt like more stability. Greg Jennings/James Jones, Jordy Nelson/Randall Cobb, Cobb/Davante Adams, A.J. Hawk/Clay Matthews, Josh Sitton/T.J. Lang/Bryan Bulaga. Anyway, I withdraw my original comment. P.S. If Gute could just find guys to commit to in the OL and stop the musical chairs for a few years, I'd be happy.

That's why you try to keep as many prospects in the pipeline as you can. For example, Daryn Colledge played opposite Sitton at the guard spots before Lang. Bryan Bulaga succeeded Mark Tauscher at right tackle and Lane Taylor replaced Sitton at left guard beforeElgton Jenkinstook over for Taylor. Timing is everything in this sport. The Packers continue to develop offensive linemen. They had three starters from the same draft class this year, including two Day 3 tackles. Of course, stability is critical on the offensive line. That's nothing new.

Tim from Olathe, KS

Insiders, I saw enough inMatthew Goldento have confidence in his future contributions. But I cannot say the same about third-round pickSavion Williams. What can he offer us in 2026? Can he replaceRomeo Doubs? Is he a jar on the shelf or is he a complete unknown?

Maybe a little of both. We got a sense of Williams' athleticism and versatility, but there's still so much to learn about him. While Williams carried the ball quite a few times out of the backfield, we didn't get to watch him run many routes because of the injuries. The speed, size and playmaking make him an ideal fit for Matt LaFleur's offense, though. I'm exited to see where he goes in Year 2.

Jim from Tempe, AZ

I don't expect the Packers to re-sign Romeo Doubs orRasheed Walker. The price is going to be too high. There seems to be an unrealistic view that all players drafted will develop to be worthy of a second contract. When coupled with other developing players at the same positions it creates a revolving door due to the salary cap. I do think the Packers will retainSean Rhyan. With Jonathan Gannon's style, I wouldn't be surprised to seeMicah Parsonsplaying off the ball when he's healthy.

Neither would I. On the offseason front, I was assembling the skeleton story for what will eventually be our annual "Free Agent Rundown." There are some years where I feel there's a high probability Green Bay will re-sign one free agent over another, but this isn't one of the them. The Packers have nine unrestricted free agents and eight restricted free agents, most of whom I'm sure they want back. But which players are still wearing a green-and-gold jersey in the fall depends on what Green Bay prioritizes and what it can afford. For now, all we can do is wait and see how the board falls.

Christopher from UK

I'm only a GB fan for 40 years, or so, so I'm still learning Tell me, what differentiates FA to a UFA to an ERFA? What inhibits the re-signing of each category? Money obviously comes into it, almost as much as agents do, but is it unusual for any of these category FAs to stay with their team?

An unrestricted free agent is a player whose contract has expired. Restricted free agents have accrued three NFL seasons and typically are former college free agents, though there can be exceptions. A player can also reach restricted free agency if he's a former draft pick who cleared waivers after being cut from his original four-year rookie deal. Exclusive rights free agents fall under the same category. Since they have less than three accrued seasons, exclusive rights free agents must sign the one-year tender for the league minimum in order to play in the NFL next season.

Jack from Black Mountain, NC

The leap from college to the NFL is large in skill, physical ability, and football intelligence. How does the player personnel staff evaluate who has the right stuff to successfully make that leap?

Projection. That's based on the player's individual growth and also using history as a compass. The Packers constantly revisit past draft classes to assess why prospects succeeded or failed at the NFL level. There's a certain level of clairvoyance involved with being a scout. Personnel executives always have one eye locked on the future.

Richard from Madison, WI

Please indulge a moment of fantasy, barely tethered to reality. Let's say a kid grew up in Wisconsin absolutely worshipping the Packers, took up football, starred in college, let it be known to all concerned that the ONLY team he'd ever play for in the NFL was the Pack, and got drafted by Green Bay. He never ever wants to play anywhere else, so he wants the Packers to think of him as a bargain. And he's humble, not greedy. Can he negotiate for a really small salary to fulfill his life's dream?

NFL football is one of the hardest sports on the planet. You wanna play it for nickels on the dollar? Fine by me, but I'm guessing you'd have some regret 25 years from now.

Tom from Dubuque, IA

Since most of the players are not in Green Bay during the offseason and work out at various facilities, do the Packers reimburse the players for any of these expenses?

They do not. Offseason training comes on the players' dime unless it occurs inside the team facility.

Mark from Canada

Wes's near perfect quote of Fred McFeely Rogers brought a HUGE smile to my face! It has been a life motto for me since the passing of the last of my "Pack of 6." Losing five of the best buddies anyone could have is difficult, for sure. Remembering the amazing times we had is a better approach than the alternative. "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" could not be more appropriate in the time of salary caps and free agency, also.

Amen, Mark.

Kay from Lynchburg, VA

Best food at Lambeau?

Jennifer Ward would say the chicken tenders at 1919.

Diane from Hot Springs Village, AR

What is top draft desire?

Not sure, but that would be an excellent title for a checkout-lane romance novel.

JR from East Moline, IL

As of this column, how many months has it been since Ty Montgomery's last game as a Packer?

I've never officially banned anyone, JR, but you tested me with this one. I can't believe I walked right into this exercise. I'm gonna need a two-week respite to recover.

Mike from Verona, WI

II fans truly are special...at one of the quietest times during the year, we still have tons of questions to be answered. An unquenchable thirst for hypothetical answers. Thank you.

And Spoff will take it from here for a minute. See ya in a fortnight.

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