Maybe a dumb question, but why does the salary cap rise every year? I know the TV deals increase, but why? The NFL negotiating harder with the TV stations? Rising popularity of the sport? The NFL getting better at making money off tickets, merch, etc.? What’s the biggest factor?

Rising tides, my friend. The NFL has never been more popular and that means more revenue is flowing through the league’s coffers. With owners and players splitting the kitty, the salary cap grows.

Good morning, Wes. Should the “insider” gambling suspension within the Arizona Cardinals’ organization serve as a reminder to Inbox submitters about why there is no gambling in Bushwood?

We obviously have good fun here in Inbox about these matters, but I must say this whole ordeal is unacceptable. I cannot stress how many resources and reminders the NFL has put in place to remind its employees of the gambling policy.

Ron from Broken Arrow, OK

Wes, thanks for sharing the scoop that Doug from Green Bay gave us yesterday regarding the reason for the Packers’ late-season collapse. I had no idea that the lowest equipment guy had anything to do with it! Hopefully you can do a Q&A with this person and find out the results from their self-scouting.

I get the frustration among fans, but nobody needs to be reminded the milk was spilled. We all saw it in Chicago. If you’re not looking in the mirror after how last season ended, then you shouldn’t be here. That goes from the top of the organization to this very byline.

Christopher from Sun Prairie, WI

What team-building activities (bowling, video games, water fights with balloons and squirt guns, etc.) does Coach Matt support and are any attempted during training camp on days when it is too hot (or too smoky) to practice outdoors?

The Packers played laser tag inside the Hutson Center during OTAs before veterans were excused and that was that. Once training camp starts, the time for fun and games is over.

Scott from Noblesville, IN

2026 PACKERS: PRODUCTION over PREDICTION. Wes, you certainly could’ve easily made the list of answers to the Outsiders Inbox with that bumper sticker/T-shirt slogan idea! Excellent job!

I love the year-long interest in the Packers. It’s what makes it fun to come to work 12 months of the year. The only downside is there’s a lotta time for talking and only 17-plus games for action.

Hi Wes, Another word about Bryson from an announcer. Bryson was allowed to make a reasonable walk up to his ball. He did that and then retreated backwards to look at the shot. So far, so good. He then stomped the long grass down when he came back to ball thereby reducing the amount of grass his club would encounter on his backswing. It looked premeditated to the official (and me). John Rahm throwing a club is poor golfmanship but had zero to do with improving his score.

As a good friend of mine likes to say, “Bringo.”

Thanks to Wes on the pronunciation of Achord, but he neglected to tell us if he pronounces his first name as “Cam” or instead as “Cam” which would be my guess.

It’s not Ryan, it’s Ryne.

Kevin from Grand Blanc, MI

Well Wes, it’s finally over. The wincing, the whining, the faking, the flopping. Gone for four more years. For what it’s worth, congratulations to Spain for the win. I tried to get onboard with it all, but the popularity eludes me. Now bring on some REAL football. I’ll go put on my Nitschke jersey now…

I like the suspense of a competitive soccer game, but I’d be lying if I said I watched more than 10 minutes of the World Cup after the U.S. was eliminated.

Joe from Liberty Township, OH

Please explain to me why everyone can be enthralled with a championship game that requires extra time to score one single goal, but the NFL feels the need to skew every rule change to benefit the offense to increase scoring?

We don’t exactly have the longest attention spans on this side of the Atlantic.

Do you think Vic has changed his mind about soccer after that 6-4 thriller between England and France?

If a tree falls in a forest…