Inbox: The Packers' window to win is wide open

Ben from Green Bay, WI

Since the Packers' rapid unscheduled disassembly in Philadelphia, I've come out of my football hangover quicker than previous years. Maybe it's just like any other team in the NFL where a piece or two makes a difference but there's no feeling of "that was our last chance." I agree with the urgency need because players are perishable but if feels like we're on the right track.

The Packers are positioned to compete for a championship. Super Bowls are always the goal, but I've always viewed the past two years more like extra credit relative to the youth of the roster. Not an excuse but reality. Well, the training wheels are off now. That foundation is set. Now, the question is who will become the pillars of what the Packers are building.

Jake from Regina, Canada

Quick note on the physicality point: While I do think the Packers are a physical bunch in terms of grit and temperament, I think age of players has something to do with it. It's difficult to expect 22-24-year-olds to physically dominate 28-29-year-olds who have had 4-5 more years' experience in an NFL strength and conditioning program. I think we're going to see some rapid development in "physicality" as some of our young bucks' bodies physically develop. Look at Zach Tom, for example.

Without question. I remember talking to an NFL scout years ago who told me, in his opinion, offensive linemen don't reach their peak until somewhere around 27 or 28 years old (barring significant injury, of course). While growth and maturation count for a lot, my contention is physicality is a mindset. Tom has succeeded straightaway because of how he mixes good technique with effort and physicality. Branching into the backfield, there are probably 100 running backs who are bigger and stronger than Aaron Jones, but he's strong in pass protection because of how he matches fundamentals with a never-say-die attitude. Whether you're undersized, oversized or anywhere in-between, the extra gear is what wins in the NFL when the chips are down.

James from Appleton, WI

Did the Packers do anything against the Eagles that the Rams could learn from? Green Bay managed somehow to take A.J. Brown out of the game, so that's something. What else?

The Packers had a good coverage plan against Philadelphia, beginning with having Evan Williams back in the lineup with Xavier McKinney. Every game plan is different, so it's difficult to say what the Rams will look to accomplish. But I think everyone knows you gotta keep Jalen Hurts in the pocket. Once he breaks contain, things get messy for a defense.

Jon from Willmar, MN

Are contracts being worked on? Would like to see Malik Willis and Brandon McManus stay!

Willis is under contract for 2025, the final year of his rookie contract. Brian Gutekunst made it clear the Packers would like to get McManus back. A decade of covering Mason Crosby taught me that once a team finds a reliable kicker it better hold onto that guy. McManus turns 34 in July but still has plenty left in the tank.

Glen from Bellevue, WI

The value of running backs seemed to have dropped over the past decade with few of them selected in the first round of the draft. With the success of Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry after changing teams, do you see the value of the position possibly increasing in importance to teams again and more likely to start being drafted in the first round again?

Everything is cyclical in this league, right? While the collective success of those veterans might raise the free-agent price tag on running backs again, I actually think Jahmyr Gibbs might be the biggest reason of all to consider drafting a running back in the first round again. Some pundits thought the Lions over-drafted him at No. 12 a couple years ago. He's now one of the game's most exciting offensive playmakers.

Ethan from La Crosse, WI

If the Seattle game was the peak, then it's a little strange to consider that a 34-0 win was the downwards turning point. In the II the day after that game, Mike said, "I don't think executing a few more plays against a clearly overmatched opponent are going to matter much next week or into January." Too prescient, in hindsight. As fun as the win was, did they need a better opponent to keep the sense of urgency? Of course, you have to play the schedule as it is. Just an interesting thought.

No, the Packers needed to execute. It's no different than what happened to Minnesota after it beat Green Bay in Week 17. For me, I'm watching how far the Rams can take this thing. If LA makes a run to the Super Bowl, it might have every playoff-bound team re-considering whether its stars should be playing in the regular-season finale.

Bob from Emmaus, PA

The Lions, Vikings and Bears have been working to beat the Packers and succeeded this year, but as we see with the Vikings, they were not prepared to beat the Rams in the playoffs. Is Detroit prepared or are they vulnerable too?

The playoffs are such a crapshoot to me. But if any team is built to take home the Lombardi Trophy, it's the Lions. The only thing that would surprise me if Detroit can win it all is the year-long consistency with which it did so. The Lions rarely blinked.

Chuck from Henderson, NV

Evan Williams for defensive MVP based on how well they played when he was in the lineup. But we do need more pass rushers this offseason? Zach Tom for most consistent offensive lineman?

I like how effortlessly Williams flows on the back end. Like McKinney, there's no wasted footsteps or motion. As far as the pass rush, I think everyone would agree Green Bay's four-man rush wasn't what it needed to be this year. Give credit to Jeff Hafley for creatively finding ways to generate pressure but you also gotta win with four. That was the difference for the Rams against the Vikings. The Packers have the talent to do it, but a couple more pieces could help.

Charles from Cleveland, MS

Any of the players actually going to attend the Pro Bowl?

We'll probably hear more about that in the next week or so, but McKinney, Jacobs and Rashan Gary all appear to be healthy.

Robert from Salem, WI

Do you foresee the league adjusting the kickoff rules this offseason?

I don't think we'll see the traditional kickoff come back. I just hope the league doesn't mess with onside kicks. If it does, it better not be for a fourth-and-15/20 play. The NFL and its officials are not equipped to handle it. I can't wait for a phantom defensive holding penalty keying a late comeback.

Harry from Chandler, AZ

Good morning II. Do you think the Vikings only having four draft picks will stop a lot of Vikings fans from showing up at the draft?

Maybe the last two days, but Minnesota still has its first-round pick. That'd be enough for me to make the day trip to GB if I'm a Vikings fan.

Dave from Waterford, OH

Here are some of the definitions of the word urgency: importance requiring swift action; an earnest and persistent quality; a force or impulse that impels or constrains. Here are just a few of the synonyms: exigency, insistence, importunateness, doggedness, tenacity. I think we tend to think in terms of "something pressing" with that word. In Gutey's comment about urgency, maybe he's not only talking about priority, but maybe he's also hinting at imperativeness, determination, and physicality?

Throw out whatever definition you wish. At the end of the day, the Packers want to be playing into February and everyone who collects a paycheck from this organization understands the window to win is wide open. Financially, Green Bay is on sound footing. That locker room is loaded with talent after a few solid drafts and good free-agent signings. Now is the time to take the next step.

Lori from Brookfield, WI

Wes, how are you adjusting to life on the couch as a playoff observer?

I'm adjusting to having a life again, but I wouldn't say I've adjusted to being a playoff observer. Truthfully, I probably won't watch any more football until the Super Bowl.

Richard from Farmington Hills, MI

Wes, as a Packers fan (and owner) who's lived in the Detroit area over 40 years, I'm wondering why you despise the Lions? Personally, not sure which team, if any, I'll root for this weekend. I did live in the DC area in the early '70s George Allen "the future is now" era, and they were my secondary rooting interest while the Pack was down.

The question was asked, and I answered it. I have my reasons and am under no obligation to expand on it right now. Wishing the Lions good fortune in the wars to come.

Scott from Maple Plain, MN

Hi Wes, this submittal is more for me to understand how to be successful getting a submission published. Over the years, I am sure this has come up before. Is it topic-related? How well it is written and not needing any editing? Frequency? Humor? Or does it just come down to my religion? Keep the faith your time will come? Enjoy the Inbox every day! Thanks, Scott.

There's some luck involved. I don't always get to read every submission, but good questions consistently get published as long as you don't insult us or our ancestors.

Pat from Hudson, WI

SNL great Dana Carvey has said that there's nothing more rewarding to an entertainer than having a catchphrase. 40-50 years on and I still say "I must be in the front row" or "Just a bit outside" regularly and even though most people don't have a clue as to what either of them mean, both phases still make me smile! A true American original and we were lucky to have him! RIP Ueck!

A true testament to Bob Uecker's impact is how he tied generations of Brewers fans together. There's a 25-year age difference between my father and me. Yet, we both grew up listening to Uecker's calls. I remember being so overjoyed in 2008 when Milwaukee finally made the playoffs again after a 26-year drought. Uecker's call of Ryan Braun's two-run home run against the Cubs is something I'll forever cherish.

Brian from Twain Harte, CA

I am assuming the II will go back to a Monday through Friday schedule this offseason. Any idea when that will start now that the Packers' season is over?

The Saturday column will run through the end of the month.

Blake from Minneapolis, MN

Wes…thank you so much for the beautiful, heartfelt "In memoriam" comments about Mike Vandersnick during the final "Packers Unscripted." Truly appreciated. You did it right.

Snick was a very special person and a talented photog. As an aside, he was also an incredible cook whether it was on the stove, grill or jerky dehydrator. As a coworker, he was top-notch. I could never thank him enough for selflessly agreeing to fly with me down to Kentucky hours after the 2019 NFL Draft ended for the story we did on late Packers tight end Mitchell Henry. We worked our asses off for three days in Elizabethtown, all the way down to sleeping in our rental car while catfishing with the Henrys out of range of cell phones. As a man, he had your back no matter what. I envy his constitution. It's like that scene in "The Town" where Doug blows into Jim's place and says, "I need your help. I can't tell you why, you can never ask me about it after and we're gonna hurt some people." All Jim replies is: "Whose car we gonna take?" That was Mike Vandersnick. For as long as I breathe, I'll smile thinking about the moments we shared together – the good, bad and everything in-between. That's just my perspective. Snick has so many more loved ones and close friends with 100 times the stories to tell than I do. I'm just a guy with the platform to say thank you, Mike. I love you. Every time I look towards those pink skies I'm gonna toast you.

John from Byron, MN

The finality of the season didn't hit me until Mike mentioned a weekend of "winter lager, snacks and a fire in the fireplace." In that moment, the promise of a deep playoff run still hung in the house. But it was gone, all gone! No Packers football! No gameday blog! No Rapid Reaction! No What You Might've Missed! Three Things! Or gallons of random questions from Mike's mid-week chat! Gone, ALL GONE!

Until the next one, brother. Until the next one.