Dave from Naples, FL

Gents: My brothers, nephews, and sons all share a text message group. It's exclusively for sports, hot takes and "Slap Shot" references. But what really makes it tick is whenever one of us makes the Insider Inbox. The Packers keep us bound together. So thanks for all you do.

I have to brush up on my "Slap Shot." Been too long.

Will from Cheddar, UK

So when Vic said, "It's always about the money and if they say it isn't, it's even more about the money," he was absolutely talking the truth!

DK Metcalf, he of two Pro Bowls and one second-team All-Pro selection in six NFL seasons, just became the latest $30M receiver. Congrats to him, but I have zero problem with the Packers not making that type of financial commitment. The draft pick compensation (a second-rounder, plus a swap of late-round picks) was more than reasonable. That contract is something else, though. Along the same lines, also not surprised the Packers didn't bring back Davante, when he was able to land on the West Coast and get more than half of his two-year, $46M deal guaranteed. Props to him, too. If the Packers even considered him, they were never going there on the money.

Jay from Land O'Lakes, FL

Guys, it appears to the casual fan that behind the scenes the asking price may be far too high for DK Metcalf. I trust the Packers wouldn't overpay for him or anybody else. It seems to me the edge free agents are well worth the money and fill a greater need. Agree?

I don't think anybody on the edge market is going to come cheap, either. But once again, I'm not shocked after all the hullabaloo, Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett ended up staying put. That was the most likely outcome all along. The edge market remains full of veteran players. But if I know Gutey, he's put a value on any players that've raised his eyebrow, and if that price range fits, bingo. But if the price gets too high, he's comfortable walking away.

Barry from De Pere, WI

Will cap growth this season allow more teams to retain their own FAs, or will more FAs seek greener pastures, or little change from prior seasons?

For the most part, it'll just drive up prices on the open market. Clearly, it already has.

Tom from Horicon, WI

When a player is granted permission to look for a trade, how does this work? Does the team give a player guidelines as to what they would require in a trade? Does a player try to work out the trade? How often does a trade usually work out in this situation?

A player given permission to seek a trade usually has his agent calling around to gauge interest and what a potential trade partner might be willing to deal. If something interests the player's original team, it'll follow up.

Carl from Sheboygan, WI

Morning II, more of a comment than a question, but the QB trade(s) and free agency is really interesting now that Geno Smith was traded to Vegas. Did not see that one coming, even with his old coach there. But now Seattle is in the market for a starting QB along with the Giants, Jets, Titans, maybe the Vikings, and more. I have to believe Sam Darnold will get one of those jobs, Rodgers will get one if he wants it, rookies the rest? Just interesting to see how this will play out.

I didn't see the Geno Smith trade coming either, but it obviously changes how the QB carousel spins from here on out.

Jeffrey from Taylors, SC

How do NFL kickers generate so much power and accuracy with so little motion of their kicking leg? Mason Crosby made it look so easy.

For sure, and they all do, to me. I've never quite understood it but that makes me appreciate them more.

Glen from Leesburg, VA

My son was only a few weeks old and asleep on my chest when Mason Crosby kicked the winning field goal against Philly in 2007. When Crosby announced his retirement I showed my son a photo of him asleep on me during that game and he was all smiles. Mason will be a Packer HOFer without a doubt and will be remembered as one of the all-time clutch players of his time. Thanks to Mason for all did for the Packer faithful. I think No. 2 should be retired.

It won't be, but I really liked your story.

Daniel from Allerod, Denmark

I know everybody will remember the kicks against Dallas in the 2016 playoffs. But to me the greatest and most clutch Crosby kick was the one that sent the 2014 NFCCG into overtime. Even though it ended up being in a losing effort it was a kick with potentially the Super Bowl on the line.

I've said it multiple times in this column before – that's the biggest kick in franchise history nobody talks about, for obvious reasons. It's why I did a Yearbook feature story on it in 2015.

Basil from Nags Head, NC

Not a question, but a big "awesome work!" to the staff on the photo essay of Mason Crosby with his family and Packers staff on Friday. I thoroughly enjoyed the pics, I believe it captured a lot of Crosby's personality and priorities. Thanks packers.com!

If you haven't seen it, be sure to check out the Crosby tribute page that was posted Friday, which includes all the great content from his retirement announcement, plus a whole lot more from his career.

Michael from West Allis, WI

How many players have come back and retired as a Packer, and who are they? I know Jordy Nelson did, but who else?

In recent years, Josh Sitton, Bryan Bulaga, Morgan Burnett and Davon House all did as well. There might've been others I'm forgetting.

Brian from Fort Atkinson, WI

Good morning, I know becoming a dynasty is going to attract haters. In the case of the last two NFL dynasties (Patriots and Chiefs), I think some of the dislike comes from their own lightning bolts. The Patriots had multiple cheating scandals. The Chiefs have had Hunt, Ried's son, Butker, Mahomes exploiting the rules meant to protect him and now Worthy. How much do you think the lightning bolts accelerate the dislike for dynasty teams? Or do you think it is just because they win too much?

I think there's some of both, though primarily because they win too much. As for the other stuff, I'd say any on-field advantages gained by what are perceived to be efforts against the spirit of the rules certainly contributes. The off-field stuff falls in a different category for me. It should be noted Worthy was not charged with anything after further investigation.

Tim from Charlotte, NC

Regarding the insurance policy the Browns and other teams purchase, are the premiums counted toward the cap?

I don't believe so, not directly, but I also don't think it's a dollar-for-dollar cap credit, either, when the insurance pays out. These types of policies are not super common. As I mentioned, the Browns took one out on Watson because they gave him a five-year, $230M fully guaranteed deal. Guarantees of that size are so rare (the Bills just guaranteed Josh Allen $250M to break the record), and those policies are very pricey.

Ted from Findlay, OH

In your response to Jesse from Colorado Springs, CO, you referenced market size as being important to some players. Is this largely due to commercial/endorsement revenue opportunities? Along with that, are you privy to how players feel about taxes and cost of living? Seems like $1M spends a lot better in Green Bay than it does in NY or LA.

Some players will gravitate toward the larger markets for endorsement opportunities, night life, and other reasons. I've never heard one mention state income tax or cost of living factoring into a decision. Their agents are certainly aware of those things. Players look at professional landscapes differently, with different priorities.

Tony from Cedarburg, WI

I have tried to understand and read the rules but I still don't understand the formation when a receiver or tight end is "covered" pre-snap and what this means. Do you have an easy way to understand this? Thanks.

It's admittedly tricky. I'll do my best. A player is "covered" if someone lined up outside of him is right on the line of scrimmage (rather than a yard or two behind). Any eligible receiver/tight end who is covered is technically ineligible and, if he goes out for a pass, would draw a flag (either for illegal formation or ineligible player downfield). Also, any ineligible players (the linemen) must be covered for the formation to be legal. So in a typical formation, someone must be on the line of scrimmage outside each offensive tackle – either a tight end next to him, or someone split wide but right up on the line. Legal formations must have seven players on the line of scrimmage, so the easiest way to think about it is five linemen plus one more on each side, covering the tackles. The other four players must line up at least a yard behind the line of scrimmage to not make an eligible receiver ineligible, or risk a flag for illegal formation. That doesn't address every little detail, but hope it helps.

Benjamin from Chicago, IL

I loved the article on the shuffling of the offensive line. For what it's worth last year I remember Sean Rhyan look pretty natural as a pivot vs. Denver in the preseason. Is there a guy in this group that can return, bigger, badder, stronger and quicker than his 2024 self?

As far as the primary starters on last year's O-line, I don't think Rasheed Walker, Rhyan or Zach Tom has played his best football yet, if that's what you mean. Myers' best season was definitely Year 4.

Scott from La Crosse, WI

I agree that 12 personnel could be a primary grouping for our offense with the variability it offers due to the different strengths of our TEs and RBs. My question is more how will MLF adjust his use of WRs to be more versatile? This past season he stated Jayden Reed didn't get as many targets since he was game-planned as a slot receiver and they didn't run enough three-WR sets. Seems like MLF tries hard to put his guys in their best spot and that hurts his ability to play the best five skill players.

We'll see if he and the coaches create something of a traditional hierarchy centered more on playmaking ability and less on alignment. There's a balance between getting/keeping everybody involved and emphasizing your playmakers. There's way more familiarity now with what Josh Jacobs does best. They'll have that from the get-go. Add a healthy Jordan Love (fingers crossed) and the rest should come together.

Chuck from Waterloo, IA

I read Mike's article on draftable players in the late rounds and my question is, "How much does age matter?" I know each individual is different, but is it a disadvantage to draft a 25-year-old rookie project, or an advantage to bring in someone with six years playing experience? Your thoughts?

Gutey was asked about that in Indy and emphasized it's really about taking each case individually. In most instances, I wouldn't think GMs would spend high draft picks on players who are going to be 29 before that second contract rolls around, but a mid-to-late-rounder? Sure. The projection/ceiling that's part of the evaluation process helps determine where a player winds up on the draft board. The older and more physically mature a player is, the less room for growth there may be, but there's still value in that if the guy can play.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Mike, your article on the draft sparked a few thoughts. The depth of the talent coming out would lead me to conclude we may see the Packers sign more UDFAs this year. That depth may also mean that throughout rounds 1-7 the Packers can sit and wait for players to fall to them, or even allow them to trade back. The possible exception could be the first round. If you have the draft capital from rounds three to seven, and are willing to move back, maybe you could make a push to move up in round 1.

I'm not sure Gutey has the capital this year, though. It usually takes an upper fourth-round pick or better to make any meaningful move up in the first round, and if you're aren't stockpiled with picks in those middle rounds you'll end up with a long gap sitting on the sideline. As for the UDFAs, we'll see. The Packers have drafted 35 players the last three years, and 27 of them are still on the team. Not sure how many 90-man roster spots will be available.

Joshua from Monroe, WI

What is the process for attending the draft? Do you just show up?

This might be a good starting point.

Brian from Minneapolis, MN

Regarding movie cameos by pro athletes, Wisconsin has notable contributions: Brett Favre's hilarious role in "There's Something About Mary," and Clay Matthews, David Bakhtiari, T.J. Lang, Josh Sitton, and Don Barclay in "Pitch Perfect 2." Also, Kareem Abdul Jabbar as Roger Murdock in Airplane, courtesy of Milwaukee's Zucker-Abrahams team, deserves a spot at the top of the list.

Several folks brought up Favre/Mary and the O-line in PP2. But I posted yours because I'd totally forgotten about Kareem in "Airplane." Roger, Roger. Huh? Classic.

John from Stevens Point, WI

Anxious to see the feeding frenzy when free agency signings start. Will the Packers be active the first week, or wait until the dust settles like in past years?

We'll find out soon enough. Happy Monday.