Given the average starting NFL QB misses 2-3 games per season due to injury, how would you prioritize re-signing Malik Willis? I’ve only heard he can’t be afforded so will move on…yet he’s shown ability to do well in the 2-3 games he might play. Given the small margins in tiebreakers to make the playoffs, a win or two seems like a big deal. Big enough for a somewhat large QB2 contract? Thoughts?

Last season changed my perspective on the importance of a capable QB2. However, Willis’ situation likely will be as much about opportunity than it is money. I’m sure Willis wants a real shot at being a starting QB in this league. After everything that happened in Tennessee, I’d say he’s earned that right.

Phillip from Wonder Lake, IL

Who will survive the shake out over the summer to make the 53-man roster to begin the regular season?

I understand this is a question fans like to ask, but I hate this culture that’s been created where media outlets ask their reporters to project a 53-man roster before we’ve even seen any of these rookies in pads. It’s lazy, uninspired, and honestly not fair to the players.

Yesterday Mike referenced the coaches in the league with longer tenure than LaFleur. While those coaches haven’t had winning seasons every year, they have more often than not. It’s almost like stability can lead to success. Unfortunately, in this world too many teams at all levels don’t have the patience to weather the storm in difficult times. If you were an owner/GM, how would you appease the fans in similar challenging times after a couple of disappointing seasons?

Part of me wonders if it’s even possible anymore. Pittsburgh gets so much credit for having just three head coaches since 1969, but Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin all produced Super Bowl championships while enduring prolonged stretches that fell well short. There has never been more pressure to win now in the NFL. If you’re not winning, then teams gotta create the illusion of building towards something big (e.g. the Chicago Bears in the post-Lovie Smith era).

Why start training camp with 90 players? The last 20 guys stand no chance of making the team.

Tramon Williams, Chris Banjo, and James Crawford would strenuously object to that. Also, teams need 90 players to help spread snaps out in training camp and the preseason.

Hello and good morning to you guys, love your Inbox, and I agree completely that this will be a tough roster to break, but I believe with all the talent and potential, the Packers are one player away from a great team, a Super Bowl-contender team and that would be a player like Shemar Stewart of the “bungling” Bengals who is in a contract dispute. He is still young, versatile, a perfect fit. Forget the guys T.J. Watt or Trey Hendrickson.

The Stewart situation is just straight-up odd. With how contracts are slotted in the modern era, you rarely see rookies holding out from minicamp. First-round picks are pretty much fully guaranteed nowadays, too. My guess is they eventually get something worked out. I suppose Stewart could sit out and re-enter the draft next year, but he’d be sacrificing upwards of $10 million doing so.

Craig from Green Bay, WI
Hey M & W, what’s your best guess as to the NFC Central standings after Week 18?

Good morning, gentlemen. I agree with you that the coaches would really dislike an interview via headset during the game, and I don’t blame them. I, myself, am very annoyed when games are interrupted by a reporter interviewing someone on the sidelines while play is in progress. Some of the content seems to be just “filler.” Being a reporter is a very demanding job, and I am not knocking it. Pre- and post- game interviews are understandable. Wish all reporters had the same ethics you two have.

I don’t think there’s anything unethical about it. It is great having sideline reporters with in-game access to coaches to ask about newsworthy events, but why must it be on-camera? I don’t feel like I gain much from those interviews. Gregg Popovich used to make a mockery of them. Seriously imagine someone asking you on-the-record questions during the most stressful part of your workday…

Bob from Jensen Beach, FL

Wes, we almost always have a UDFA make the team. Prior to training camp, any thoughts on who are the likely candidates?

After claiming Brayden Narveson off waivers, the Packers’ streak of at least one undrafted rookie making the initial 53-man roster reached 20 consecutive years. I’m not gonna make any predictions on who might be this year’s top candidate, but there could be a huge opportunity on the defensive line and secondary based on how the roster sits.