The media in general talk largely of the offseason acquisition of players in terms of each team’s needs. The Packers’ front office has long insisted on the importance of drafting the best player available. I remember hearing Jack Vainisi saying “best player available” in the “Legacy” videos. Is there a parallel to free agent acquisitions, or is free agency different enough from the draft that the team’s strategy is significantly different?

I don’t know if I fully understand what you’re asking, but the Packers are out to find the best players regardless of whether they come through free agency or the draft. I suppose an argument could be made the Packers sign unrestricted free agents based on perceived “needs,” but sometimes it’s bringing in an Aaron Banks, Marcedes Lewis or Keisean Nixon who just make your entire team better regardless of the depth at their respective positions. As many resources as Green Bay devotes to the draft, it also has a pro personnel department constantly surveying the NFL landscape in search of the best available players, regardless of position, based on its scouts’ eyes.

When drafting Savion Williams, do you think Brian Gutekunst and Co. had visions of Taysom Hill dancing in their heads? Williams had some success taking direct snaps at TCU. I doubt the Packers would want to take the ball out of Jordan Love‘s hands very often but having another ball-handler who could do a lot of things, including perhaps hitting an open receiver, is a nice addition to the toolbox that could complicate the picture for the opposition.

The Packers have done it before with Dontayvion Wicks, who completed a 14-yard pass to Aaron Jones on his lone NFL pass. In the end, however, I think Gutekunst saw a talented receiving prospect whom the Packers feel could blossom into something special in Matt LaFleur’s offense. It’ll be fascinating to see how Green Bay uses Williams, who was apt at doing so many different things at TCU.

Wes, your reference in “8 things to know about Packers’ 2025 draft class” on Anthony Belton‘s pancake blocks brought back memories, and not good ones. The last time I recall a lot of pancake block superlatives was when the Pack drafted Tony Mandarich. Here’s hoping there’s no jinx with this draft pick.

Respectfully, I think your worry is a bit of a stretch. You’re talking about a man once billed as the greatest offensive line prospect ever. But the reasons for Mandarich’s downfall are pretty well-documented (and somewhat telegraphed). All Belton can do is excel against the competition he was given…and he did. The NFL is an obvious step up, but the potential is real.

Morning Wes. Can you recall if you felt more excited after last year’s draft or this one? Thanks.

It’s comparable based on how young these rosters have been. I will say over my 13 years covering this team on a full-time basis that this is the most excited I’ve been to see how big a jump this team can make. Promising youngsters are becoming established veterans.

With the discussions on depth at position groups, I got to thinking about the positions that rarely have true depth. Given that, who backs up our placekicker, punter and long snapper? I am guessing that many punters could placekick in a pinch, but on the depth chart, who were the backups to these positions last season?

Kickers and punters often back each other up (Remember Mason Crosby punting in place of JK Scott a few preseasons ago when Scott had tightened up?). The Packers usually have a designated backup long snapper, but I no longer know who that person is. During the latter half of Mike McCarthy’s tenure as head coach, Ryan Taylor and Don Barclay backed up Brett Goode.

So, you’re telling me that not only does an NFL GM have to think five seasons ahead in regard to his roster, but the head coach also has to think five years ahead for his coaching staff? There are too many moving pieces in this puzzle.

It’s not that complicated. The rolodex kind of writes itself with how small the football world can be, especially once you put a successful foundation in place. LaFleur’s done that several times over during his six-plus years in Green Bay and it’s not all on him, either. For example, Jeff Hafley’s connection to new defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington began with the New England Patriots and Boston College dropping by each other’s practices from time to time.

I will be at the Dec. 20 game. Like Clay said, “THE BEARS STILL SUCK!”

Who doesn’t love a little Saturday football in December?

Rich from Grand Rapids, MI

It will be very interesting to watch Ben Johnson and the Bears this year. Johnson earned his reputation as a game-planner and play-caller, but his success always came with a veteran QB (much like Jon Gruden years ago). Game planning and calling plays require a different skill set than molding a young talent into an NFL QB. Lots of parallels here with MLF (inheriting Aaron Rodgers, developing Love) and Johnson (Jared Goff vs. Caleb Williams) – two talented play-callers developing young QBs.

Well, it’s all on Johnson’s shoulders now. Chicago can be a pressure-cooker and he’s thrown a little petrol on the bonfire with his interviews this offseason. Words are great to fire up your fanbase, but at the end of the day, the game is played on the field.

In regards to which NFC North team has the best offense, is it too much to hope that the Lions regress without Johnson, but also Johnson (and Chicago’s offseason additions) aren’t enough to make the Bears any better?

It’s plausible, especially in an extremely competitive division like the NFC North. Johnson isn’t only a play-caller now. He’s responsible for the whole ship while Dan Campbell’s Lions have new play-callers on both sides of the ball. Those are some seismic shifts around the Great Lakes.

Thinking on the questions about teams being sold and required three-fourths owners agreement, ever get a feel for how the owners feel about us not having a traditional owner? For, against, indifferent? I wonder if anyone with really deep pockets has had their lawyers send quiet inquiries about whether the team could be bought? Yes, bylaws, so no. But enough money solves everything.

No one thinks about it. Pondering the Packers’ ownership structure is to question the very existence of the NFL itself. Some things simply aren’t for sale. This team is not a rock on this league’s surface. The Green Bay Packers are part of this football planet’s inner core.