Micah Parsons is the present and he is the future

Wes Hodkiewicz

Rod from Chugiak, AK

Thank you for running my post re: losing Roger from McGrath. The empty spot his loss leaves can never exactly be filled, but I have oft craved some way to enrich my Packers-related life by connecting with II faithful that live close around me. I found Luke from Port Alsworth, AK, the way I found Roger, but that requires a town so tiny the postmaster knows by first name not only every kid, but their dogs. Is there any way through the Inbox to touch base with II family easy enough for staff to handle?

Your post hit me hard on Monday. First, Roger was a great dude, and I very much enjoyed our banter over the years. Beyond my sadness over Roger's passing, however, I struggled with how we interact with so many of you but also met so few in-person. Just ships crossing in the night on this long journey through life, tethered by a love of the Packers. I pray for Roger and his family. Thank you again, Rod, for passing that unfortunate news along.

Steven from Birchington, UK

With the league trending toward paying fewer veteran contracts at non-premium positions, do you think the Packers' draft-and-develop model is now an advantage rather than a limitation?

It's always been an advantage whether fans realize it or not. Championship teams are built through the draft. It's where clubs get the most bang for their buck and how strong locker room culture is most consistently developed. Adding aJosh JacobsorXavier McKinneyto the mix is great, but you need a healthy foundation from which to build. Green Bay has almost always had that since Ron Wolf first clocked in.

David from Green Bay, WI

What number draft picks do the Packers have this year?

Thank you for asking. You canfind that answer here.

Zachery from Racine, WI

With Quay Walker gone, isZaire Franklinlikely to be the one with an earpiece?

That would be my guess, especially with the defense moving back to a 3-4 base with only two inside linebackers. More on Franklin and the Packers' linebackers later this morning on packers.com.

Michelle from Ringgold, GA

What do you think will be one of the Packers' biggest strengths this season?

Experience.

Mike from Marquette, MI

Happy Draft Week! Just as it is not possible to evaluate drafts picks for a few years, it takes a while before trades can be fairly graded. It has been a few years now since Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers were traded. How do you view the trades now? I'm not sure who we ended up with (draft picks). But did we "win," and how did the Jets and Raiders make out? Thanks for all you do for us!

With the first- and second-round picks they received for Adams in 2022, the Packers drafted Quay Walker at No. 22 and used the second-rounder to move up to takeChristian Watsonat No. 34. Those two moves worked out well for Green Bay, especially considering the contract Las Vegas needed to give Adams to get the deal done. The Rodgers trade is a bit more confusing because of all the trades the Packers executed afterwards, but it pretty much worked out to beLukas Van Ness,Edgerrin Cooper,Luke Musgrave, and Anders Carlson. The trade also influenced Green Bay eventually acquiringEvan WilliamsandJacob Monkin 2024, as well.

Edward from Sioux Falls, SD

Hello! Did the Packers just release three practice squad players so they could sign three UDFAs to camp contracts?

That does open up three roster spots and also did not force anybody to fly to Green Bay for the start of the offseason program, only to be sent back home days later. The roster currently stands at 75 players. If the Packers make the eight selections they currently have, that leaves them with eight spots to sign college free agents.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

WillBo Meltonbe a WR this year? No way the Packers give him No. 88, right?

I can confirm Bo Melton will be Bo Melton this season.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

I watched Bart Starr lead all those wonderful Lombardi teams, so I was really excited when he was made head coach. Such a smart QB would for sure be a great head coach WRONG! He had some good players but his leadership as a QB did not translate the same way as a head coach. Any examples of great QBs who were also great head coaches?

It's a short list of very good quarterbacks who became very good head coaches and you usually need some give-and-take on each side of the equation. For example, Jim Harbaugh was a decent NFL quarterback but a much better head coach. Starr was a Pro Football Hall of Fame QB but a middling NFL head coach. Starr was a good offensive mind, but he had to learn on the job as an NFL head coach. His personnel decisions also didn't help.

Darren from Wakefield, MI

We obviously talk of which position groups the Packers may target. Is there a "head sewn to the carpet" group if they did, this year?

Safety. It's been discussed in the media in recent weeks, but I feel like the Packers need to plant seeds elsewhere.

Derek from Howards Grove, WI

Defensive line or edge rusher at No. 52? Sounds like destiny to me!

I'd favor the former over the latter.

Marty from Plymouth, WI

Regarding the GM (or owners) listening to what fans want done, I remember back to our friend Vic who stated something to the effect of, "If GM's do what fans want done, they'll soon be sitting with them in the stands." We Packers fans are so lucky to have had the GMs we've had since Bob Harlan hired Ron Wolf.

If Packers fans held the pen, Jordy might still be on the football teamwhether he wanted to be or not.

Joseph from Schenectady, NY

If the Green Bay Packers could bring back in there prime Jordy Nelson or Davante Adams who would pick?

We love you Jordy, but definitely Prime Tae. I think he is firmly in the discussion now with James Lofton and Sterling Sharpe as the best receiver in modern Packers history.

Mike from Kalamazoo, MI

Hi Insiders, I recently saw a disturbing stat about draft-and-develop success rates. The Packers are the only team in the league with zero draft-and-develop Pro Bowlers on their roster. Eagles lead the league with eight, and every other team has 1-7. GB has not drafted a Pro Bowl player since 2019 (Jenkins, Gary). What do you make of that, and what needs to change for this team to find success?

Any measurement using "Pro Bowlers" as a quantitative in 2026 is a method of evaluation of which I steer clear.

Jim from Tempe, AZ

Regarding Jennifer's question about missed INTs last season, we all know it was a point of emphasis from the coaching staff. I'm curious if constantly hearing about how important taking advantage of an opportunity for an INT, if there's a point of diminishing returns. I know these young men work diligently to improve but if they get too much in their head about an athletic and instinctive response it can only hinder their performance. "OMG don't drop it!" type thought can freeze a player.

I believe Jeff Hafley had some trepidation when the Packers' internal emphasis to lead the NFL in takeaways made its way into the media. Generating turnovers is a strange combination of preparation, skill and good fortune. Green Bay is looking for water to come to balance next season.

Derek from South Point, OH

I have never thought about an II shirt. I'm intrigued. What phrases do you think would be the top sellers?

A "ATMRWCBW" shirt would be cool. Just imagine a conversation where someone asks, "What does your shirt stand for?" and the person replies, "You knowI'm not really sure."

TK from Grafton, WI

Who is more likely to suffer an injury behind a poor offensive line: a quarterback or a running back? I say QB, by far.

By a mile. Not only are running backs better equipped to manage hits but they also are the ones often lowering the boom. Unless your name is Cam Newton, not many QBs have that capability.

Bob from Jensen Beach, FL

Mike, don't you ever wonder about the "fans" who complain about everything on sports talk or even here in the Inbox? Are they truly Packers fans or people jealous of our history of success and wanting to cause chaos? There will always be a time for change, but annual upheaval rarely brings positive results.

I ask myself that question a lot with no resolution. When I was younger, I wondered if fans take a glass-half-empty view about their team to shield against failure. But as I get older, I've realized some folks are just habitually miserable.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

Do we know yet when the new Rivalry uniforms are coming out?

You guys need toread more Policys Perspective.

Chris from Waukesha, WI

My father is nearly 60 years old. Bryan Bulaga is one of his favorite players, and I believe it is SOLELY because of his SNF intro. If you had a similarly-styled intro for II, what would it be? Long live the SNF intros!

"Wes Hodkiewicz, University of Green Bay Press-Gazette."

James from Chicago, IL

Many years ago, I stopped paying much attention to the draftnik talking heads. It coincided with my realization that if they really knew what they were talking about, why aren't they GMs?

It's OK to sit down, have a drink and enjoy yourself in a responsible manner. Just don't act like you know how the bar is run or the (root) beer is brewed.

Lyle from Milwaukee, WI

With team needs always changing and drafts boards changing along with them, I don't put much stock in mock drafts. Brian Gutekunst knowing football and the players better than us, there's no way for us fans to know how he's going to draft. Most fans know which player they would draft. I trust BG to draft the players best for our team, so I sit back to see who they draft, and rely on you to tell us what you can about each of them. I feel this is the best way to enjoy the draft, do you? Thanks

An even better way to look at it. Lyle, I believe you have identified the key to happiness during the most hectic weekend on the NFL calendar. Congratulations.

Mike from Winchester, TN

Hi Wes, a few weeks ago a reader asked if you guys get to use the workout facilities, which piqued my imagination. It would be fun to see a "3 Things" episode with you guys in an ice bath. I mean, not the same ice bath but different tubs. You did dress up as clowns after all.

I'm getting better with ice baths, but nobody wants to see me without my shirt on.

Craig from Australia

Morning lads, when I worked and we had to do extra work at night we'd bring in food, snacks, etc. for other colleagues to share to try and brighten the night up. Will you guys do something along those lines?

How do you think I got to the point nobody wants to see me without my shirt on? I had a little help from my friends at the snack table.

Dar from Mansfield, TX

Wes, how much fan FOMO is there re: Gutekunst not having a first-rounder? I, myself, am calm with dachshund wisdom from our late II mascot, Nickel. On squirrel-chasing days, Nickel let things unfold. If an elite squirrel unexpectedly got within range, he might jump forward. As often, he waited for that squirrel or an equal to come to him. He never gave up (wieners never quit), but he also never chased recklessly. And he always ended up with good squirrels to play with. Isn't Gutey that kind of dawg, too?

A squirrel in the hand is worth two in the bushand I feel like the Packers got the best one inMicah Parsonslast August. If at any point boredom overcomes Gutekunst on Thursday evening, he should click through a photo gallery of Parsons. That man is the present and he is the future.

Mark from Bellevue, WI

As it becomes more likely that there will be an 18th game, it could lead to a balanced schedule within the division. Last year, we played Denver, Carolina and Arizona based on finishing in the same spot (third) within the division the previous year. As opposed to adding another third place team in this example, with four games, you can then spread the ranking among all four division members. Example: GB vs. NFCW 1, NFCE 2, AFCE 3, AFCS 4; DET vs NFCW2, NFCE1, AFCE4, AFCS3, etc. Do I have too much time on my hands?

Class dismissed. I have enormous headache in my eye.

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