Craig from Williamstown, Victoria, Australia

Morning Wes. Let's hope you have your pencils sharpened and batteries fully charged as you are the captain of the good ship, II, until the boss man returns in April.

As much as I'd love to say it's good to be back…I'm back.

Darren from Wakefield, MI

Welcome back Wes! Can't wait to read your report on "What I did on my summer vacation." Sounds like there may be some leftover stale popcorn in the breakroom.

February and March obviously are not peak season for vacation, but it definitely helps mentally reset after a long, six-month grind. Popcorn ain't bad, either.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

Do you think Brian Gutekunst will select a QB? No doubt Malik Willis will want to go somewhere where he can start and make starter money. I think it is time to draft and develop a dependable backup QB. Agree?

Gutekunst already said that option is on the table. It just depends how the board looks at that exact moment. Willis is under contract for another year. I don't know about you, but I take comfort in that.

Jeff from Omaha, NE

Pursuing talent through free agents vs. drafting got me thinking about this question. Since the dawn of unrestricted free agency, who would be on your Mount Rushmore of Packers free agent signings in terms of production and impact while wearing green and gold? Same question for players we drafted.

I thought long and hard about this before settling on Reggie White, Charles Woodson, Julius Peppers and Ryan Pickett. I gave Pickett the nod because of how he improved the run defense and contributed to the Super Bowl XLV title. Xavier McKinney and Josh Jacobs are off to a good start pushing for that spot, though.

Jacob from Superior, WI

I felt our defense did great last season while our offense, I'll just say, was not good. With no real additions besides a new O-lineman, is Green Bay crossing its fingers the offense will figure it out and the WR drops across the board will stop? Or do you suspect the Packers will aggressively try to add some pieces.

Fifth in total yards, eighth in scoring and the best year on the ground in a fortnight. The Packers' offense was far from perfect and needs to be more consistent for this team to take a step in 2025 but flip the channel every once in a while if you want to see offenses that deserve the label of "not good."

Bruce from Jackson, WI

Wes, welcome back. Maybe the old man (Aaron Rodgers) had a point all those years ago when he complained about not having enough weapons. Seems like Mike and his Insider's opinions of our WR rooms talent is changing. As a rule, we get the players drafted and paid for from the rounds we pick them. Another year of experience and coaching isn't guaranteed to fix the dropsies. Let's hope next January we aren't regretting another lost season.

There are no guarantees whether you sign/trade for someone or not. Frankly, there isn't a FA receiver contract that's made me say, "Oh, that team got a bargain." As much as I love Davante Adams and would've welcomed his return to Green Bay, the Rams are rolling the dice on a soon-to-be 33-year-old wideout at two years, $44 million.

Bill from Clive, IA

Suppose for a moment that Gutey does decide to trade back in Round 1 of the draft to maybe pick 32-34. What could that 23rd pick get us in terms of extra bites of the apple? What do the comparative pick value charts say?

The No. 23 pick is worth 760 points on the DraftTek value chart. To move back to 32-34 would net the Packers a mid-third-rounder valued around 170-180 points.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

What is more likely to happen with our first-round pick? DL, OL, or WR?

Defensive line.

Robb from Brookfield, WI

With free agency news upon us, I've seen a few reports that go like this: "Team X says they will cut Player Y if they can't find a trade." I'm wondering why a team would play it that way, since there seems to be no advantage to Team X. All other teams know the player will soon be available to sign outright, or at the very least it would appear to lower any trade value. Do you have any insight?

You'd be surprised. Jacksonville made it known it planned to cut Christian Kirk earlier this month and Houston still came calling with an offer. It happens more than you think.

Richard from Caledonia, WI

Wes – what is your personal favorite memory of draft day since being a Packers writer?

Calling the Datone Jones pick in 2013. I should've quit while I was ahead because I haven't gotten one right since. What makes it memorable is Pete Dougherty – who poured his soul into the Press-Gazette draft series – opted for Eddie Lacy in his first-round prediction. I had a good time razzing Pete about how the Packers drafted both of our picks – mine just one round earlier. Pete didn't enjoy my joke and threatened to make me do the draft series the following year.

TK from Grafton, WI

I cannot be the only one eagerly awaiting the Nate Hobbs vs. Romeo Doubs battles in training camp.

Tongues will be twisted, and Twitter thumbs will be tested. I am excited about Hobbs, though. It seems like he can do a little bit of everything.

Zach from Virginia Beach, VA

Why is Emanuel Wilson a exclusive rights free agent after playing two years in Green Bay? Are the rules different when a rookie is not drafted and signed as a free agent?

The contracts for undrafted rookies vary in length between one and three years (Wilson's was for two years). Only after gaining three accrued seasons is a player eligible for a restricted tender. The reason this doesn't usually come up with draft picks is because they sign four-year rookie contracts.

Darren from San Diego, CA

Here's how I think wide receiver fever will play out. Either this year, or in the next few coming years, the Packers will FINALLY take a WR in the first round. Packers nation will rejoice. This receiver will be fine but won't meet the lofty "first round" expectations. Packers nation will exclaim that good receivers can be had in later rounds.

Ever notice how some fans – not just of this team – seem to care about the presents they didn't get under the Christmas tree than those they were fortunate enough to receive? Maybe this is the year the Packers take a wideout in the first round. Maybe not. But the cupboard still has plenty of spice.

George from North Mankato, MN

I'm sure there's plenty of (salt) and vinegar in the Inbox after Cooper Kupp signed with the Sea Chickens. For the reported $15 million a year, I'm content with our whole receiving corps. as of now. Thank you Gutey for not taking the bait.

Nothing comes cheap in free agency. Also, Kupp made the least amount of sense to me out of all the potential free agents. The Packers already have Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave occupying the middle of the field. If a receiver is added, I'll take another permanent presence on the perimeter.

Gary from Sheboygan, WI

In Mike's answer to Brandon from Imperial's question about successful drafts, Mike said success in the first four rounds goes a long way. Why then are so many fans in favor of trading down for more late-round picks?

The first four rounds give teams the best chance at finding players with elite traits, but Gutekunst also has been drilling doubles into the gap the past three years with his Day 3 selections.

Johnny from Oak Creek, WI

Good day to all. Kind of feels like when I listen to radio sports talk shows the frequency I get is "The sky is falling, the sky is falling." Free agency hasn't gone like I have liked it to, but I am breathing deep and investing in patience. Lots of time for Gutey and his people to address the issues. The longer I live the more I am learning that I have opinions as a fan but not the inside information to really understand the Gutey plan and process. Bottom line is I trust him more than me.

One maxim I've learned from covering the NFL for more than a decade: the less casuals know about your free-agent signings, the better it often is for your football team.

Keith from Dodgeville, WI

Wes, with all the additions the Bears and Vikings have made, it might be tough to beat them. Do you think the Lions and Packers will slip in the race?

The Vikings had more expiring contracts than any NFL team this offseason and the Bears won five games in 2024. Both should be making significant additions. I'd be concerned if they weren't, but their activity has nothing to do with what the Packers or Lions are doing in my book.

Dave from Germantown, TN

I disagree with Spoff's analysis of the Packers draft needs. With Eric Wilson signing with the Vikings, we have only four linebackers on the roster. In my opinion, we need to sign some free agent linebackers or draft at least one. What's your opinion of the Packers' linebacker room?

The Packers may draft an inside linebacker, but I wouldn't say they need one. You gotta allow Edgerrin Cooper and Ty'Ron Hopper to spread their wings. Isaiah McDuffie is an excellent insurance policy, as well.

Keith from Bakersfield, CA

Welcome back Wes! I have a question about the policy of not reporting on free agent additions until the ink is dry. I very much appreciate packers.com for not reporting on the kind of click-bait rumor garbage that's so prevalent elsewhere. However, when news of GB agreeing to terms with a FA breaks, it seems like that should suffice to report on it. You report on draft picks as soon as they're selected, not weeks or months later when they sign. Why are FAs different?

Free agents need to pass physicals for a deal to become official whereas there's no turning back once you draft a player.

Sam from Ronan, MT

I saw a report saying Ja reached out to Hobbs and congratulated him on the signing. So, we got that going for us.

I'd expect nothing less. That's the type of guy Jaire Alexander is.

Bob from Grand Rapids, MI

Last summer, Alex Hale was designated as the new International Pathway Player. Will Hale be able to continue to be kept as an IPP for another year? It seems like a sneaky way to keep a backup kicker on the roster without having to use a spot on the 90, or 53.

Yes, he's eligible if the Packers want to designate him as their IPP again in 2025.

Mike from New Orleans, LA

Unnecessary shot at Derek Carr by Mike and I'm here for it!

Facts are facts.

Larry from Hudson, WI

Welcome back, Wes! Can we start a petition to have Cliff announce a pick? Does he even own a house, or does he just have a room in the archives deep in the bowels of Lambeau Field? His oral history is crazy good.

Cliff Christl has more energy and dedication to his profession than any human I know.

Roger from McGrath, AK

Eric Stokes reportedly sighed there's "nothing to eat after 10 pm" in Green Bay. We're all different and while growing up a big city trip meant Green Bay for this Yooper ex-pat. Now, a UP trip seems big and busy. What percentage of Packers miss a bigger city like Stokes vs. those that embraced it like AJ Dillon?

You gotta see the video of Stokes' news conference and not just read the quote. Stokes also said how much he loved Green Bay but clearly never had the Philly omelet at Black Stone Family Restaurant at 1 a.m. on a Sunday.

Markus from Aurora, CO

Insiders, I woke up in the middle of the night with a nagging thought: who is actually picking the headlines/titles and bylines for II? The respective writer? The other? Mike by default? Or is it some anonymous staff member who will never see the glory of public recognition?

Mike and I choose our own headlines/subheads. The only time in my career I didn't write my headlines was during my first few years at the Press-Gazette. The copy editors handled that because only they knew how much room was available on the page before it was sent to the printers.

Roger from West Bend, WI

With regards to Friday's headline, "That's the way the NFL likes it, could we open the 2025 NFL Draft with "KC and Sunshine Band and its 70s' hit, "And that's the way I like it?"

Uh-huh, uh-huh.

Kyle from Los Angeles, CA

Welcome back, Wes! What is going on with surface of Lambeau Field (it appears to be white in the Nate Hobbs video)?

Once the Packers are done playing, the field crew allows Lambeau Field to take its season just like any other Wisconsin lawn in winter. They'll begin preparations for the upcoming campaign in the spring.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

How was the trip to see Demovsky's kid play for a title? Hope everyone stayed safe and had a great time!

It was a blast. De Pere came up one game short of state for the second straight year, but I can't tell you how proud I am of Roan. We all are. He played his tail off this year and improved so much. The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is getting one hell of a point guard.

Mike from Estero, FL

It sure seems like the majority of free agents are not attracted to playing on the tundra of Lambeau Field. Rather they are tending to go to warmer climates or indoor stadiums – at least this year…the mystic and history of the Green Bay Packers, with everything being equal, no longer appeals to free agents. Should the Packers start considering a retractable roof be added to counter that possibility?

Building conclusions on false assumptions is what I missed the most during my time off.

Anthony from Southington, CT

Do the Packers care about winning? Two biggest needs not addressed.

I assume you're talking about the writers. Have a great St. Patrick's Day.