Inbox: The Packers' upside remains enticing

Thomas from Madison, WI

I'm sure this won't be the only submission, but what did Matt LaFleur do to deserve that look? I assume lunches were involved.

It wasn't…at all. I have terrible resting reporter face. Kudos to Hailey Traina for digging up a photo I'd never seen before.

Jeffery from Monticello, WI

Hey guys. Brian Gutekunst said Elgton Jenkins can be an All-Pro center. I believe he could be an All-Pro lineman wherever he lines up! Has there ever been another player like him?

In my time following the Packers, Zach Tom is the only one who comes close to Jenkins' blend of versatility and production. Those two look at home anywhere they play, which is why we often forget center was Jenkins' primary position at Mississippi State. I know it's asking a lot of a two-time Pro Bowl left guard to shift again, but this move makes the Packers better. I also think this shift to center says as much about Elgton Jenkins, the person, as it does Elgton Jenkins, the player.

Fred from Escanaba, MI

Do you think the current receivers are good enough to carry the Packers to a Super Bowl appearance?

Yes, especially since an offense is more than just its receivers. Gutekunst mentioned on Monday how a stretch tight end like Luke Musgrave can help the Packers downfield passing game, too. To be honest, I would've taken the Packers' 2024 wideout room over most of the playoff field, including the entire AFC. Seriously, go look at the rosters. The Packers' upside remains enticing, as well.

Lori from Heredia, Costa Rica

Hey Weston, I don't understand the big announcement about the global markets program. What can the Packers do in Germany now that they can't do in Spain, for example? And how is this beneficial to the international countries? I'm assuming it's really mostly beneficial to the Packers and revenue from new places.

While the Packers' brand remains global, the international initiative is a huge emphasis for the NFL. Green Bay is the 29th of the 32 teams to formally activate. The three countries were chosen for their existing Packers fan bases, cultural fit and opportunity for growth. More information will be released in the coming months regarding events, targeted digital initiatives, specialty content and other engagement opportunities.

Daniel from Appleton, WI

If drafting at the end of the first round like the Packers, is there a position that you would rather draft in order to obtain a fifth-year option? I would think OT, WR and QB would be more obvious choices, as they tend to have longer careers in the NFL. More beat-up positions like running back, linebacker and defensive line may be less of a priority. Would this be why we would've taken Jordan Morgan in the first round over a player like Edgerrin Cooper even though BG ranked them similar?

Not really. The Packers draft the players they feel give them the best value at that particular pick. Also, I'm not sure the fifth-year option is the driving force it was when the 2011 collective bargaining agreement was put into place. Teams now pay a premium to extend first-round picks for an extra season and it's fully guaranteed for both injury and skill. Previously, it was only guaranteed for injury.

Kevin from Casper, WY

Good morning sunshine (Wes), in the 1989 oral history, this phrase made me so happy: "He has got that look in his eyes" a scout describing Troy Aikman. We see so much emphasis on speed, jumping, hand size, etc. I say the "it factor." As fans of any sport, we know the "look" or the "it." When reading these mocks past and present, that tangible is never mentioned about draftees. Can they not see the eyes? Can our QB get the "look" or the "it"?

Jordan Love most certainly has the "look." Love's composure is his strongest trait and that goes back to his time at Utah State. Love has the "it" factor. Like Josh Jacobs recently discussed on a podcast appearance, Love has an aura to him, and it translates to how he plays the game. Guys want to follow a QB who makes them believe and Love most certainly does that.

Joe from Cleveland, OH

I just want whoever is trying to ban the tush push, to check out an interview with Lane Johnson on the "Pardon My Take" podcast. You can tell he really doesn't like the play because it's a straight-up headfirst dive. If that's what's happening, then I don't even care for us to use the play if it's endangering our guys, even if we became unstoppable at it, too.

That's at the crux of the Packers' argument in the proposal, as well. Again, this is coming from a team that's had decent success in both stopping the “tush push/Brotherly Shove” and creating a version of its own with Tucker Kraft

Eric from Kenosha, WI

Greetings, hoping to get this in the day of the vote. NFL, as a lifelong fan of the league (not just because I'm a fan of the Packers), I implore you to do away with "tush push." No one ever wants to see what we saw in the NFC Championship Game again. It also can't be good for pulling in new fans and growing the game. Thanks.

That's another fair point. If the goal is to draw in fans, is that the play you want them to see – especially with the league's burgeoning international interests?

Kevin from Sun Prairie, WI

I find it hard to support the tush push. It just doesn't seem like a football play. Rugby, maybe? But things change. Did anyone anticipate the current situation in the NBA where you can apparently take nearly unlimited steps after the last dribble as long as it leads to a shot at the basket. Would it be alright if they adopted the slingshot from roller derby to throw a runner over the line?

There was some banter in the Breakers media tent about the "tush push" on Monday, too. One of the writers made a good point, suggesting the "tush push" is an inherently ugly play and the broadcast networks don't like ugly. My gut says a final ruling on the proposal will get tabled until the May meeting, but we'll see. I definitely think there's been more pushback (no pun intended) on the play than expected.

Darren from Wakefield, MI

Hi Wes. Maybe you can help me understand. Why does the NFL feel the need to change the rules so often? Seems to me they need to make a new rule change because they made a rule change previously or change it back. I get the player safety thing but all the constant tweaks are kind of annoying. I find it ironic that when you make changes on the fly, they call that "moving the goal posts."

The incessant tweaking of rules and regulations has understandably created some fatigue among fans and senior writers (see: 17-game regular season), but you also have 32 NFL franchises and a competition committee independently brainstorming ways to make the game better in their mind. That's going to lead to inevitable change.

Andrew from Columbus, OH

Wes, a few years ago, Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys set up for a punt in their end zone while behind. They snapped the ball over the punter's head on purpose for a safety. It seemed odd at first, but recovering the free kick was more probable given the rules governing onside kicks. Although it didn't work, it seemed to work better than a traditional onside kick. Could a solution to the onside kick problem be in that strategy? Or is it too gimmicky for your taste?

I think anything at this point runs the risk of being viewed as "gimmicky." I'm open to any and all ideas as long as it doesn't involve an offensive play being touted as an alternative to the onside kick.

Jay from Altoona, WI

Perhaps a question for Rich Bisaccia, but why don't teams ask their kicker to squib kick into the landing zone on kickoffs? Hang time on kickoffs no longer matter since neither line can move until the ball lands. Additionally, a squib kick would tend to be harder to handle for the returner, giving the kicking team coverage players more time to limit return yards. Is there a reason not to do it?

The kick must last inside the 20 or it automatically comes back to the 40 like it went out of bounds.

Pat from Cleveland, TN

With all the talk about the tush push, I just remembered AJ Dillon signed with the Eagles. Do you think the thought of his big quads pushing Jalen Hurts had anything to do with the signing?

That sounds like an excellent question for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Scott from La Crosse, WI

How much stock should we place in pre-draft visits for players? Does Gutey only bring in players he is serious about drafting, or does he sometimes bring a player in to disguise his real intentions? Thanks for keeping it real!

There's definitely something to it. You can't toy around with "top 30" visits. They're too valuable, especially in this market that doesn't have a massive local pro day. Now, I wouldn't start ordering Packers jerseys of every guy who visits, but Gutekunst hasn't been shy about bringing top prospects to Green Bay for a closer look. He's drafted quite a few of them, too, over the last six years.

Mike from Plover, WI

Say Green Bay drafts DTs Desmond Watson (6-6, 464 pounds) and Deone Walker (6-7, 331 pounds). Even if you have to reach a little early to guarantee getting them, might a "Great Green Wall" be worth the price? Do you think teams sometimes plan to draft a pair of players for the synchronistic outcome?

It wasn't strictly drafting but the "Williams Wall" worked out well for Minnesota in the 2000s. The Packers also won a Super Bowl behind their 1,000-pound line of Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji and Johnny Jolly. It really depends on the defensive coordinator and what he's asking his defensive front to accomplish. It takes more than size to win against the run.

Dave from Germantown, TN

With all the discussion about our cornerback depth, what are the chances the three unknowns on the roster ( Kalen King, Kamal Hadden or Kaleb Hayes) make a second-year jump to replace Robert Rochell and Corey Ballentine? All three are from top college programs, so they have likely played against NFL players.

I don't know much about Hayes, a 26-year-old veteran whom the Packers signed to a futures deal in January. King and Hadden will definitely be in the conversation for roster spots this summer. Both were draft picks last year and each was elevated to the gameday roster on at least one occasion.

Al from Green Bay, WI

It's an easy call. Bart Starr was the best value pick in GB history. Since 1994, the draft has been seven rounds only. From '94 to now, who would you put on your Mount Rushmore of great Packers late-round value picks? I'll spot you a Donald Driver.

Define late, Al. In only the seventh round, I'd go Driver, Adam Timmerman, Mark Tauscher and Rasheed Walker. Yes, I put Walker ahead of Scott Wells. If you need an explanation, I'll provide that later this week.

Thomas from West Salem, WI

I'm sure most of us agree (especially the more life-experienced fans) what the worst trade in Packers history was. What is your opinion on the best trade? The trade for Ahman Green ranks up there for me. Any others?

Is it too soon to include the Aaron Rodgers one?

John from Stevens Point, WI

What are the Packers' and the NFL's contingency plans for the draft if we get hit by the sort of weather that hit north central WI this weekend? Will the draft move indoors? If so, where?

I don't have those details, but the Packers have a plan in place. Snow removal and traffic flow were part of securing the draft in the first place.

Mike from Stevens Point, WI

Hi Wes, I understand the potential injury component but with Jaire Alexander's 2025 salary at $17.5 million and cap hit and dead cap at $25 million & $18 million, respectively, why isn't there more discussion of retaining him?

Friends, there really isn't anything to say on the Alexander front until something happens. In Florida, Gutekunst echoed his comments from Indianapolis regarding Alexander. It's possible Alexander is back in 2025, but he and the Packers are still working through that.

Bret from Hertel, WI

Dear Wes, will Mike and your team have any different activities or specials during the draft? Thanks!

My aim is to keep things as normal as possible because it's already a massive elephant to eat over three days. We may do a special appearance for our brand and marketing folks because we adore them, but otherwise I'm taking a business-as-usual approach to the draft. Whether this thing is in Green Bay or the Maldives, Mike and I still have eight draft picks (for now) we need to cover…and that's ultimately what we're paid to do.

Dennis from Parrish, FL

I got called a moron by Dean from Leavenworth, Indiana! So I got that going for me, which is nice!

You're not a moron, Dennis. But if you were, you'd be our moron…but you're not…according to my information…which could be wrong.

Jake from Elkhart Lake, WI

Was that the first "Flight of the Conchords" reference in II history? Regardless, it gave me a good chuckle for a Monday morning.

Maybe…or maybe you just haven't caught the other ones. Spoff returns tomorrow, as we revert to our regular scheduled programming. Have a great Tuesday.