Inbox: There was a lot of good all-around discussion

Mick from New Richmond, WI

Huh, after all these years I've been pronouncing Prospect "Primer" with a short "i" as in "trimmer" and meaning a short story. Never too old to learn.

You weren't the only one, which surprised me a little. I suppose this is why there are pronunciation guides.

Isabel from El Paso, TX

I just wanted to know how's the prep for the draft going? I haven't really seen lots of updates or pictures. I'm curious how it all turns out to be. I'm happy GB finally got that opportunity. I'm impatient to see it all live.

Oh, it's going. Echoing Spoff's Monday comments, it's incredible how much progress they've made with the stage in one week's time. On the Packers' front, we're all ramping up for an undoubtedly unforgettable three days.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, will the draft ever be held in Green Bay again? Seems like a year that begins with the draft in GB should end with the Lombardi in Green Bay. What are the odds?

Who knows – heck, I never expected to cover an NFL game in Brazil – but I look at the 2025 NFL Draft the same way I approached the MLB All-Star game in Milwaukee in 2002. I'm gonna take it in and appreciate the draft for everything that it is for those three days. Because that's the only guarantee it'll be here in my lifetime.

Adam from Rapid City, SD

This may have been brought up but if it has, I haven't seen it in the II of which I read daily. Mike and Wes do a phenomenal job, by the way! Concerning the new overtime rules and deciding whether to take the ball first or second could be also figured by how much time a team's defense has been on the field during the game or the most recent possession. Just my take and how some coaching is done by feel.

Definitely. Everything equal, I would kick because you not only can match a touchdown but also have the option to go for two and the win.

Al from Green Bay, WI

There has been lots of discussion about new overtime rules. I'll just say this: If the new rules create debate about whether a team should take the ball or defer at the start of overtime, that in itself tells me that fairness has been achieved. Yes? No?

Injecting more strategy into the game is never a bad thing, especially when the change promotes a more level playing field. I haven't knocked out an Inbox since leaving Florida due to some technical issues, but I have to say there was a lot of good all-around discussion. Even among the writers, I think we've developed our own take on overtime, the tush push, kickoff changes and infusion of Hawk-Eye technology into the game.

Matt from Fitchburg, WI

Are fast wideouts typically considered field-stretchers because they can move the safety out more quickly, thus creating the open throwing lanes more quickly? If that is the case, does Luke Musgrave winning his one-on-one with linebackers still have the desired effect of occupying a safety?

Anyone who can stretch a defense vertically is a problem. The Packers drafted Musgrave because he creates natural mismatches. If a defense sticks a linebacker on him, Musgrave could use his straight-line speed to get past him. If a safety is hovering over the top of a tight end, those are two fewer eyes surveying the rest of the field.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

Can we all agree that no matter who we draft or the development of current players, the key to GB moving to the top of the playoff ladder is the health and improvement of Jordan Love?

That's paramount. As Mark Murphy said at the league meetings, quarterback is probably the most important position in terms of determining team success in all professional sports. You gotta protect the king.

Keith from Springfield, MO

Could you possibly express how you think the changes in the GBP coaching staff may affect the team for the upcoming season? I really appreciate the "Five Things ..." articles on the new coaches and am curious if there is a specific intent to make changes for the upcoming season – understanding that some changes were made to maintain a full coaching staff. Thanks for your good work.

Under Matt LaFleur, the Packers have been very process-oriented as it relates to their coaching staff. They aren't making changes for the sake of change. When a new direction is needed (e.g. Jason Rebrovich and the defensive line), LaFleur and Jeff Hafley moved quickly to identify a new leader for the position in DeMarcus Covington. Covington, 36, is an up-and-coming assistant who got a taste of what it's like to coordinate his own defense last year in New England. Based on the Packers’ comments about the pass rush in Florida, you gotta believe their confidence in the state of the D-line is partly rooted in Covington's arrival.

Chris from Kennesaw, GA

Hey guys, can one of you explain how having a 4-3 defense affects the draft in regards to players listed as edge versus DL? Preston Smith left because the 4-3 didn't suit his play style (presumably). Will drafting an edge require a shift in position responsibility/technique for them in a 4-3? Thanks and as always you guys are the best!

At the end of the day, I think it's assignment over alignment. The shift to a 4-3 wasn't the only reason Smith and the Packers felt he may benefit from a trade. It's also the philosophical differences of an edge rusher's responsibilities in this defense compared to the fire-zone 3-4 Green Bay ran for so many years. I'm sure players are sometimes more comfortable in a two-point stance vs. a three-point, but pass rushing is pass rushing at the end of the day. If the Packers have a prospect they like, that player's base defense in college doesn't matter a whole lot.

Nick from Gresham, WI

How does the offseason program work? When's rookie camp and when are our other players back in GB for OTAs and minicamp?

The Packers haven't announced their rookie minicamp days yet, but they've typically been the weekend after the draft. There's an advantage to an earlier start, including the scouting staff getting the first look at tryout players.

Gary from Chippewa Falls, WI

Receiver Matthew Golden is fast. He is on the small side for the Packers to take in the first round. What you say?

He's fast; a bit on the small side for the Packers to take in the first round.

John from Stevens Point, WI

Will the Packers draft a QB this year or pick up an experienced backup, if the price is right? It seems like they are very thin at the most important position in NFL football.

The most likely scenario is for Green Bay to either draft a QB late or sign one as an undrafted rookie. I would be shocked to see the Packers bring in a veteran at this point.

Jim from Hudsonville, MI

Hey Spoff, your answer regarding a Jaire Alexander trade was, in part: "I wonder if Gutey will be listening to potential trade offers during/after the draft depending on how other teams' plans at cornerback work out (or don't)." Do you think it also depends on, perhaps more so, how OUR plans work out in the draft?

I don't know how much work the Packers need to do after the signing of Nate Hobbs, though. While it's plausible they will take a corner during the first two days of the draft, I think any decision Brian Gutekunst makes stands independent of Alexander's situation. Green Bay is a bit thin on perimeter cornerbacks if "23" isn't back, but the secondary also is as versatile as it's ever been during my time covering the team. The defense could go six DBs deep today if needed.

Tim from Charlotte, NC

Regarding Rod from Chugiak's inquiry about Kenny Clark's toe, does "A group without a leader is like a foot without a big toe" apply here?

Clark is the last person to ever make an excuse, but as Spoff intimated, I think the toe was a bigger issue than Clark let on. True to form, however, Clark pressed on and didn't miss a game.

Kerry from Lakewood Ranch, FL

When the NFL goes to an 18-game season, is it reasonable to expect that every team will play an overseas game at least every other year?

Yeah, I think so. Murphy said it himself in last month’s MT5. At the league meetings, it became abundantly clear an 18-game regular season is the direction the league wants to go and international games certainly factor into that equation.

Markus from Aurora, CO

Insiders, thanks for the time and effort you guys put in to highlight potential draft prospects! I know the front office doesn't pay much attention what you guys do (they already have done their research and then some!), but it still would be interesting to hear/read from e.g. Gutey after the fact what their concurrent thoughts are on particular highlighted prospects.

Gutekunst and his people got the Packers covered. But one interesting shift with the BG era is how many of those top "Prospect Primer" guys wind up taking top 30 visits to Green Bay compared to the Thompson years.

Clipton from Pasadena, CA

Prospects can enhance their appeal through a pre-draft visit but does the opposite occasionally happen? Without naming names, have either of you ever heard of a case where a pre-draft visit caused the Packers to lose interest in a prospect?

I haven't heard of that happening in Green Bay, but it's only natural for something like that to occur across the NFL landscape. Not every person who applies for a job will impress during the interview process, right? On average, I think the Packers know the player they're dealing with before he comes in for a pre-draft visit. That's for checking final boxes, not the first couple.

Rich from Grand Rapids, MI

If you were the GB GM and had the first overall pick – and could not trade it – you would select whom?

That is a hard question. As much as I want to say Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter probably provides the most value to the Packers right now.

Aidan from Suwanee, GA

With the Panthers signing a former collegiate basketball player, it takes me back to my Tacko Fall take. Can you imagine what would be going through the kicker's head seeing Tacko Fall's 8-foot-2 wingspan getting ready to block his kick? At a minimum, it gives the kicker something to think about. You wouldn't be able to kick a FG more than 40 yards against him. Talk about tilting the field. I'll see myself out...

Maybe worth a practice-squad spot? Oh, that sound you hear? Never mind it. It's only the can of worms I just opened.

Steve from Flagstaff, AZ

Steve from Muskego yesterday asked about the new kickoff rules. If so dangerous, then why hasn't the collegiate level adapted to the same rules? Or is this because the NFL guys are bigger, faster, stronger?

Two different worlds, completely.

Charles from Richfield, WI

Cliff's NFL Draft History posts are incredible. There's no betting in the II, but if 1,000 hours is the over/under for him to cull relevant quotes and produce the series, I'm going with the over. My question is based on the fact there are only two post-merger left-handed QBs in the HOF. Are there any other positions where a team would go with the righty over the lefty or vice versa assuming all other attributes and intangibles were equal?

Cliff has done more in "retirement" than many journalists do their whole career. It's unbelievable. Enjoy every second of him, folks. There won't be another. I don't think right- vs. left-handedness comes into play a ton other than QB, center and kicker, which requires the holder to adjust. Creed Humphrey has made a good living at snapping left-handed, though.

Erich from Sheboygan, WI

I opened one of those clickbait links and they actually said the draft was going to be in Green Bay. Can you believe that?

Inconceivable!