Rhonda from Italy, TX
Boy, when Spoff goes on vacation...
I said it was going to be a wild week. But I never expected it to be this wild. That's the NFL for ya.
Dar from Mansfield, TX
Wes, what does it look like for you when news like the Davante Adams trade breaks so late in the evening? I imagine you standing on your balcony with a snifter of root beer, suddenly seeing the "Hod Signal" beaming against the nighttime sky, and sliding down a pole into the Hodcave where a blinking Packers computer awaits your first words. Am I close?
I wish it was that cool, Dar. In reality, I was standing in the parking lot at the Ashwaubenon Barnes & Noble.
Dean from Leavenworth, IN
I thought the Packers went 'all in' last season and now with Aaron Rodgers' new contract and the cap moves they've made the last two weeks I think they've made a commitment to 'all in' for the next three years. In light of the news over the last 24-36 hours, how do you see the coming days, weeks, months playing out to maintain or enhance that all-in commitment? Thanks Wes, GPG in 22.
First and foremost, the goal remains the same for the Packers. They want to win it all in 2022-23. While they no longer have Adams, the Packers now have four selections in the top 60 and six in the top 150. Next month, they gotta make those picks count. In the meantime, Brian Gutekunst has to take advantage of this cap space in free agency.
Trevor from East Side Cream City, NH
Really enjoyed your answer regarding the departure of '17.' Over the years, and particularly in the last season, watching all the pressers, Davante Adams was always funny and seemed extremely cordial. He oozed with humor and humility. He always had a joke and always answered your questions thoroughly. His press conferences were often as long as coach's, it would seem. It's really a shame we won't have that personality around anymore. His light really shone through.
I obviously didn't see this coming, but after taking a night to think it all over, the trade made sense for both Adams and the Packers. As a writer, I'm going to miss Davante. He's one of those rare players who can help you write a story on practically anyone on the roster. He was a three-time Stand-Up Guy Award winner for a reason.
Jake from Decatur, GA
Thanks for your restraint, Wes. Before attempting to share my own thoughts on the trade, can I just ask: What's the breakdown in the Inbox submissions? Are we leaning more toward "This is an utter catastrophe" or "Dime a dozen/picks not players"?
The responses were all over the map, but the one common thread was how many fans expressed confidence that Brian Gutekunst and the Packers will make good use of the picks. Depending on which direction they go, I'm excited to see if they draft a receiver in the first two rounds. As I wrote as recently as last week, their track record speaks for itself at that position. Also, how appropriate that one of the two picks the Packers acquired for Adams is the same No. 53-overall selection they drafted him with in 2014.
Quinn from Frisco, TX
Will the Packers trade for Robert Woods or try to sign Julio Jones or Jarvis Landry?
These are the other set of questions we'll keep getting asked over the next few weeks. Whatever the Packers choose to do, I'm confident they have a plan for how the team will replace Adams. It won't be just one player. It's going to take a village to fill Adams' void.
Brandon from Imperial, MO
Good morning, Vic used to say WRs are a dime a dozen and I've mostly agreed with him. I think even Vic would say '17' is a special talent and difficult to replace. Is the silver lining the extra dollars in the cap to maybe bring back a Rasul Douglas or Marquez Valdes-Scantling (or some other veteran WR)?
It's has to be. This opens the door for the Packers to hold onto a Douglas, MVS and/or Robert Tonyan. With those 11 picks, there's also numerous talented skill-position players to choose from in this year's draft. As talented as Adams is, the Packers have been in this position before. The scouts will grind the film and have their reports ready next month in search of the next Adams, Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings, James Jones or Randall Cobb.
Bil from Stateline, NV
The Pack has cap space now, don't they? Allen Lazard: Movin' on up!
Lazard is another in-house name to keep an eye on. He received a restricted tender but the Packers can still negotiate with him until Lazard signs his contract.
Mitch from Mundelein, IL
Joe Burrow, Ja'Mar Chase. Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle. Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne. Now the latest college duo to reunite in the NFL, Derek Carr and Davante Adams. It seems this pairing is on the uptick as it lets a QB and a playmaker build on their previous college chemistry. Do you see this as a growing trend in the NFL and draft prospect process? Best of luck to Adams in Vegas!
I would call it more a coincidence than a trend. In the cases you mentioned, it was a GM's doing more so than the players. But Carr and Adams have talked about reuniting for some time. I thought it was mostly talk but obviously it meant a great deal to them. They got what they desired.
Jon from Andover, MN
Hi Wes, I think anyone has to be impressed by the moves made for the Packers organization to get below the salary cap and retain many of our core players. It seems like the money was there too to re-sign Adams, but ultimately it appears the Packers accommodated his desire to play in Vegas. There's going to be a lot of speculation about that until Adams chooses to talk about it. In the meantime, I hope we can all wish him well and thank him for his time with the Packers.
Absolutely. When Adams talks in Vegas, I'll be interested to hear what he has to say.
Keith from Lincoln, IL
I have been around II long enough to remember that the 'Inbox' was none too kind to Davante his first couple of seasons. Anybody who would have suggested he would become the highest compensated receiver in the league would have been laughed out of here back then. It would do us all good to remember that when the Packers add more receiving resources in this year's draft. These are young men playing a difficult game, and the first two chapters do not a story make. Thanks.
There are a lot of fans out there who would've cut a future five-time Pro Bowler after Adams' first two NFL seasons. Prospects require patience. That's once again important to remember as the Packers transition to this next phase with their receiving corps.
Brian from Charlottesville, VA
Wes, thanks for sharing your story about Davante Adams. I enjoy your articles about the human side of Packers players and personnel as well as Cliff's historical perspectives, but I really love your personal anecdotes about interactions in the locker room, in the hallway, wherever. Any chance you and Mike would consider sharing a "best of" your personal stories you've shared with II about players and staff, past and present? It'd be a fun read for a day (or more) during dead time this summer.
It's funny how the goodbyes tend to draw those stories out of me. Maybe one day we'll properly catalogue them.
Ken from Milledgeville, TN
Hi guys. I always enjoy the II column and look to you for clarification. With the Davante Adams trade, can we expect to receive a comp pick in next year's draft?
No. The Packers are only eligible for a compensatory pick if an unrestricted free agent (a player with an expiring contract) signs with another team.
Richard from Greenwich, NY
Hi guys, Insider Inbox has been indispensable to me since Ask Vic. You are the anti-ESPN click bait. Anyway, now that the flattery is out of the way, do you agree that Rodgers's need to develop football rapport with either a new FA or high draft choice WR will be an incentive for him to attend OTAs and training camp this year?
It's a good question that probably depends on what the receiver depth chart looks like this summer. Rodgers has his finger on the pulse of the team. I'll trust his judgment.
Ryan from Bloomer, WI
I'd like to take a break from the Adams news to talk punting. I like the Pat O'Donnell signing, a proven vet can definitely help improve special teams. But I also thought Corey Bojorquez showed he can kick and hold well; I especially liked his directional kicks and banana balls. I was a little surprised to see the sudden change of heart. How much of an upgrade do you think Pat O'Donnell is and do you think we see a competition or do they let Bojo walk?
Skeptics will point to O'Donnell's net average last year, but it's not easy punting in the Midwest. O'Donnell has played a full season's worth of games at Lambeau Field. He knows what he's signing up for. I think his history holding should make for a seamless transition, as well. If needed, O'Donnell could be an option on kickoffs, too. Bojorquez did a fine job last year given the circumstances, but free agency gave the Packers an opportunity to find their guy. O'Donnell is that dude.
Bennett from Ashwaubenon, WI
Good morning II. How cool is AJ Dillon? Paying for a bus to send a fan bus to a state basketball game.
Legendary…and what a cool experience for those kids – not just the buses but also Dillon cheering on the Jaguars during their tournament series. That had to mean the world to those kids. I was sad to see Ashwaubenon fall just shy of toppling a powerhouse Pewaukee team in Madison on Friday.
Mark from Big Bear City, CA
Wes, when you were talking about Randall Cobb coming back to Green Bay last year and how he just needed a second chance, reminded me of the movie "Seabiscuit," one of my wives and my favorite movies. I guess you could say Randall is Aaron's Seabiscuit. And to take less money to help the team that's the kind of guy you want in the locker room. I know it's kinda corny but I always like the second chance line.
What made it so special wasn't just Cobb's words – it was his emotions. You could feel what the opportunity meant to him. Cobb has an important part to play as the Packers likely begin developing a young nucleus of receivers this summer.
Shannon from Ovilla, TX
Do you ever recall a year with more big-time signings and trades in the first few days of free agency? Still big names left out there too. And as a side note thankfully, we are not in the AFC West and that they all play in the other conference. The amount of talent in that division is crazy.
Seeing who prevails in a loaded AFC West is going to be a sight to behold. But from Tom Brady unretiring to the Deshaun Watson saga and then all these free agents who backed out of deals, this is the darndest offseason I can remember. And it's been less than a week since free agency started.
PJ from Covington , WA
Jordy went to the Raiders. James Jones went to the Raiders. Now Tae? What's over there that I don't know about?
Well, the Raiders are in Vegas now. Maybe KÀ?
Steve from Lake Stevens, WA
Is there really any such thing as a wide receiver who is "ready" coming out of college?
Yes, you can find it in the dictionary next to a photo of Justin Jefferson.
Ingrid from Superior, WI
Wes, I have a hard time picturing you 'darting' across the locker room. Haha…all in good fun, right?!
Think mall-walk tempo.
Gary from Davenport, IA
Thanks to Vic and you guys, I got Friday's Final Jeopardy right. I had never heard of the word "lede" until I started reading your website. I've learned a lot more than just football from all of you over the years.
So, I guess you have that going for you…
Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN
I say best of luck to the Tae. Thanks for the memories. Now, let's do what I've been wanting to do for years. Build the meanest, nastiest defense in the league and become a power running team with a great offensive line and short passing, ball control approach. That's how you win in January and February. The high-flying fireworks always fizzle out. You in with me?
I'm with you, Jeffrey. And now I need to step away from the computer for a few days. We'll try to solve more unsolvable questions Monday. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
