Arthur from Eau Claire, WI

Welcome back, Weston. How are you? Hopefully, all rested up with a clear and vibrant mind that will be put to the test during Mike's PTO. It's a shame you don't get any warmups and have to go full bore right away. I'm glad you're back and look forward to a rested Weston and T-shirt-quality snark responses to some of the (shall we say) uncivilized and uninformed questions.

I am back and I am rested, but I'm sure a week's worth of Inboxes will put that endurance to the test. Good morning!

Linda from Lakewood Ranch, FL

Good morning, Wes. Did Spoff leave you any marching orders or put sticky notes everywhere? Or did he just give you the keys to the II kingdom and tell you to "have at it"?

All Spoff left was a meandering note about some volcanic-glass rock in a hayfield up near Buxton. I think that's in Maine, maybe? I don't know. I gotta investigate a little more.

Dennis from Oak Ridge, TN

C'mon on Wes! Answering Jordan Love/Aaron Rodgers questions with a 46-word sentence followed by a 17-word sentence is just not right. Back to Journalism 101 – clear and concise sentences. Love the Inbox anyway.

Um…

Dennis from Oak Ridge, TN

Oops, that was Mike's answer, not Wes. Sorry.

Thank you.

Tom from Raleigh, NC

Great news on "33!" Did Aaron Jones ever comment on his (relatively) lighter usage as No. 1 back in his early years as a positive? With how the Titans have run Derrick Henry into the ground, I am glad Pack used Jamaal Williams and AJ Dillon as they have.

Jones is the type of guy who appreciates the rainbow after the storm. He's been like that since the day he was drafted here. If Jones was asked to carry the ball 400 times, he'd willingly do so with a smile. If Jones' role was to touch the ball a third of that, his smile would be just as wide. I believe Jones has benefitted greatly from his workload in Green Bay and the numbers justify that. For six years, he's only gotten better. How many NFL running backs can say that? Aaron Jones often talks about how blessed he feels for this opportunity. That may be true, but he's also deserving of every blessing that comes his way.

Doug from Lafayette, OH

For the record, Aaron Jones is one of the greatest players (and humans) to ever put on a Packers uniform. His restructured contract opens doors in the immediate future of this franchise. Hopefully, this is a prelude to a trend. Thank you, AJ33.

I'm not privy to all the details, but fit is such a critical part of the equation. Running backs have a small window to get paid and one down season with the wrong team can spell doom for their NFL careers. The Packers have done right by Jones, and I think this restructure speaks to the trust between the player and the organization. There reportedly was some bonus money involved, as well. In this league, it's valuable for players to paid up front.

Ken from Plano, TX

Based on what he's shown so far, what do you think would be Romeo Doubs' best place on the WR depth chart heading into training camp? Giving him the WR No. 2 spot seems way too aggressive at this point in his career, so it seems like a trade and/or a high draft pick for a WR is imminent. I'm also assuming that the Packers won't get into a bidding war for Allen Lazard, Juju Smith-Schuster, Jakobi Meyers, or Odell Beckham Jr. due to their limited cap space.

Dedicated Inbox readers know I don't put much stock into putting a number on receivers, especially when talking about first- and second-year playmakers. I don't know how many folks foresaw Jordy Nelson or Davante Adams becoming primary offensive targets after their second NFL seasons. My philosophy is to plant the seeds and watch them grow. Really, my only "need" for 2023 is retaining (or adding) at least one established vet in that room.

Bob from Bement, IL

Spoff tags out and Wes is solo in the ring. So, on a scale of 1-to-100, what number (and analysis) do you place on the likelihood of Allen Lazard wearing green and gold in September of this year? I know it's a tough question, but it has been on my mind since the end of last season.

I couldn't put a percentage on it, but I hope it's higher than what most of the fanbase believes. Allen Lazard is a good football player and calming presence in the locker room.

Jim from Stevens Point, WI

Can you explain why certain few reporters seem to always have the "news" before anyone else? Do they have a deal with agents to tell them first or do they have an in with management to get the news before anyone else?

Their Magic 8 Balls have a newer make and model.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

What is the progress status on Rashan Gary and does that answer hold the key to the first draft pick? If Gary is not ready for the season opener, I am thinking a plug-and-play edge rusher becomes a must with the first pick - Yes?

It would make sense based on the Packers' track record (e.g. drafting Clay Matthews, Nick Perry and Gary in the first round). As I've written before, I like the idea of drafting another young edge rusher early to develop behind Preston Smith and Rashan Gary. Even if Gary is back for Week 1, I wouldn't expect him to be playing 80% of the defensive snaps right off the bat. Having a young guy take some of those reps off the veteran's plate is enticing.

Keith from Lincoln, IL

Happy Eating Your Own Lunch Week, Wes! It's five years from now and some coordinators who interviewed for head coaching vacancies in 2023 have gotten the top job somewhere, and some have not. Who has made a great head coach, and who are you surprised is still a coordinator? Thanks.

The league always seems to fall in love with certain coaching staffs and right now it appears the Philadelphia Eagles are the belle of the ball. Meanwhile, Eric Bieniemy is simply trying to call plays somewhere. I hold out hope Bieniemy will be a head coach within in the next five years. It's a travesty he isn't already.

Jason from Austin, TX

Wes, in your opinion, should the jumbotron cater towards the home team or towards the fans? Most of the time it's both, but on plays or reviews that might favor the away team, the operators typically don't show the replay. I was at a game once, and there was a play that under review, but the replay wasn't being shown on the big screen. I remember being confused as to what was going on until I streamed the TV coverage to my phone and could see that the replay favored the away team.

As much as a team wants the best possible in-game experience for fans, the key objective is to win the game. In that regard, you don't want to do the opposition any favors. I am excited about the new jumbotron, though. It's been incredible watching these state-of-the-art screens go up across the NFL. I can't wait to see comparable technology at Lambeau Field.

Dave from Reno, NV

Great pixel info on the video wall specs Kyle from Watertown, SD! Any idea what the price tag is for a 48' X 220' video wall?

I don't cut checks, Dave. I just cash 'em.

Herbert from Palm Desert, CA

Hi guys, can you stand at least one more comment on our QB situation? I, too, am curious to see what Jordan Love can do, but I want Aaron Rodgers to continue as a Packer for as long as he still has the skills and desire. I don't think either have diminished a lick. I believe those who are ready to move on from him have never lived without a Hall of Fame QB. It might be a lifetime before the Packers have another.

I totally get where you, and many other fans, are coming from. While I'd welcome another season covering a generational talent like Rodgers, I also can see how it would be exciting to see what Love can do after three years of development. In the end, I go by Albert Einstein's idiom: "I never think of the future, it comes soon enough." I trust whatever decision the Packers' brass makes.

Gary from Sheboygan, WI

Morning II, regarding the ongoing debate on the value of the running QB. Besides the danger of the season or career-ending injury, I am always leery of the QB that prefers to run; the guy who once he sees his primary receiver is covered decides to take off with the ball.

I'm with you. There is a massive difference between running to make a play and abandoning the play to run. Just look at what Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts did in the Super Bowl. They both used their arm when receivers were open but also made plays with their feet when the situation called for it. I still think there's room for traditional pocket passers in today's NFL. Teams just have to build their offenses accordingly.

Doc from Racine, WI

Welcome back, Wes. Now, if Aaron Rodgers (due whichever of the multiple scenarios being speculated on) is NOT going to be the quarterback for the Packers next season, do you think they will draft another quarterback to backup Love, or explore the free agent market? (Ain't the offseason great?)

Oh, how I love hypothetical season. Listen, Brian Brohm didn't work out, but I still think the Packers made the right call in drafting another quarterback in 2008. If Rodgers isn't back, I'd have no issue with Green Bay investing another high pick into the position. At the same time, I'm also a proponent of drafting a QB every year until a team feels its found "the guy."

Eric from Springfield, VA

So, history repeats itself? We drafted a potential replacement. It's been three years of will he or won't he come back? The Jets are an option. Just need a trade and we are in line for another HOF QB for GB, right? But seriously, it's a perform-now, get-paid-now league, and rightfully so. Injuries derail careers. But teams restructure deals to push money out and players rarely make every dime of their contracts. Is there a better way for deals to be built for the player and team?

Teams and players are always going to be pulling at opposite ends of the rope when it comes to guaranteed money in a hard-cap league. Likewise, if certain individuals want to be "the highest paid" at their position, NFL teams have to get creative with how they structure deals. Just look at the contract Las Vegas executed with Davante Adams last year. Like I said earlier, the goal for players should be to secure as much guaranteed money as possible in contracts.

Raymond from Kenosha, WI

If football is a team game, then wouldn't it be better to trade away one superstar to get multiple talented players?

That depends on the superstar. For example, I don't know if Kansas City gets anywhere close to Glendale if not for Patrick Mahomes. Yes, the construction company ultimately builds the high-rise, but every project needs a lead architect.

Sam from Sumter, SC

Welcome back Weston, just a thought about previous Packers players playing in the new XFL, including former QB Brett Hundley and WR Geronimo Allison. Should be interesting to see the former Packers play in the new spring league. I always liked G- Mo and thought the Packers should have given the young receiver more time to develop. What are your thoughts on some of the 29 former Packers players in the XFL, which kicks off this weekend?

I don't have many thoughts on the ex-Packers in the XFL or USFL. I'm just happy they have the opportunity to continue their careers.

Jeff from Ripon, WI

With seeing how bad the grass/turf was at the Super Bowl, why is it that the Packers usually have good field conditions and other stadiums don't?

They're not growing grass in the desert and then moving it indoors?

Dex from Madison, WI

Too bad Mike is gone for this one. I'm sure I'm not the only one to say this but the proof isn't in the pudding. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. At least he can take solace knowing the proof of the reading is in the correcting. Happy to do my part.

You were just chomping at the bit to correct him, weren't you?

Bret from Hertel, WI

Welcome back, Wes! I am coming to you from Kauai this week. I hope you had a great break. Now that you are back what breaking stories do see coming your way?

There's always one – and when Spoff is away, usually two.

Ryan from Bloomer, WI

Welcome back Wes! Hope you had a chance to recharge the old bat-tree. Any *LIGHT* to shed on our favorite subject?

On second thought, a four-day darkness retreat doesn't sound so bad after all. Have a good weekend, folks.