Jesse from Colorado Springs, CO

How are the cover images chosen for the day’s Inbox? Is it random? Is it depending on who’s mentioned? If it’s random, can my favorite player of all-time Jordy be in a cover? Thanks.

Sure, why not? I have two columns left before vacation. If there was ever a player worthy of a cover photo in a random February edition of Insider Inbox, then it’s definitely him.

How can we correct the issues we had last year during the second half of games?

That’s what the Packers are straining to find out. Brian Gutekunst talked about it again during his media availability in Indianapolis. Green Bay showed it could play with anybody last year, but the focus in 2026 needs to be on finishing the knockout when the opponent is reeling.

With more and more injuries occurring around the league, is depth of a roster starting to become more important than a single superstar or few superstars?

The more superstars the better, but teams need a strong all-around roster to get across the NFL finish line. Look at Ty’Ron Hopper, who is ready in my opinion. However, his position group was pretty healthy last year. In the meantime, Hopper became a core special-teamer. If Hopper’s number is called next season, I’m sure the Packers will feel better about it given everything he’s put on tape the past two seasons. Conversely, Sean Rhyan was an understudy at center for three years before Elgton Jenkins‘ season-ending injury forced him to start the second half of the year there…and Rhyan was ready. I’d say it’s never been more important to have the cupboard well-stocked with jars.

The foundational starters of this team are mostly set, but who do you see as the “down the depth chart” players that might move up a step or three? Are there any practice squad players that especially intrigue you?

Looking strictly at the practice squad, I want to throw a plug out there for Jamon Johnson. I liked him as a college free agent, and he played with his hair on fire in Minnesota. It wasn’t perfect; plenty to clean up. But there is no hesitation whatsoever in that young man’s game. Like Hopper, he’s waiting in the wings. Isaiah Neyor intrigues me, too. He has that speed/size combo NFL teams covet.

There are several FA names that should be out there in the Packers’ areas of need. If you are GM, who are you going after that could be a plug-and-play guy? I hope it is Tyler Linderbaum.

It’s a strong pick, albeit a pricey one. You rarely see a three-time Pro Bowler at any position reach the open market at 26 years old. Linderbaum has a first-round pedigree and is still on the come. That upside could very well make him the highest-paid center in the game. The Packers will have some money to spend but must be pragmatic with their pocketbook with all the free agents they have in their own backyard.

Good morning, II! My dad and I had a shared love of Jordy Nelson during his days here. We were disappointed seeing a new No. 87 being donned by a WR. However, I think Romeo Doubs has done a phenomenal job. So much that my dad now owns HIS jersey. Due to roster/cap limitations, there’s a less than 1% chance he returns. Do you foresee any extensions being done with Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and/or Dontayvion Wicks this offseason, as they’ll all be FAs next year?

Less than 1%? Says who? I remember being so confident the Packers couldn’t afford to re-sign both Bryan Bulaga and Randall Cobb in 2015 and voila…they were back. So, never say never until the dust settles. The Packers can’t pay ’em all, but they can pay some. As far as 2027 goes, it’s impossible to assess tomorrow unless we address today. Green Bay faces the tough calls every NFL team wants to make with its roster.

With all the angst about Quay Walker leaving in free agency, why didn’t the Packers exercise his fifth-year option?

It would’ve been a no-brainer when the fifth-year option was only guaranteed for injury but now it’s a fully guaranteed (for injury and skill). That would have put the 2026 number at $14.7 million for Walker before he played 2025. Complicating matters was the Packers also having to make a call on Devonte Wyatt, another 2022 first-round pick who’s now their undisputed DT1. His fifth-year option was in the same financial ballpark as Walker’s.

Venny from Montgomery, AL

Do Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods factor into compensatory pick calculation or is it strictly based on contract value and playing time? While I’d like to see a few Packers UFA stick around, it appears Gute has the Packers set up to get several solid comp picks next year. Walker, Doubs, Malik Willis and Rasheed Walker are scheduled for some solid paydays and considerable playing time. Though, I have a feeling they may take a swing to keep Quay.

That’s allegedly part of the formula but the contract still holds the most sway.

Scott from Noblesville, IN

Realizing few college players “fall through the cracks,” I have a hypothetical follow up to the answer to the II answer to Gary from Tompkinsville concerning who handles the invites to the combine. If a team fails to see a college player on whom its scouts have strong interest, appearing on “that list” compiled by college personnel and the NF Scouting Inc., does the team A) try to hoard him to themselves OR B) add him to the list to see how he compares to others at the combine?

I suppose they could try to hide him, but there aren’t many secrets in NFL circles. National Football Scouting and BLESTO scouting cover their bases, too. If a strong small-school prospect is identified, he’s likely to get the call. Just look at Quinn Meinerz and Alex Cappa.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

Hi Wes, Spoff’s response about draft and development is fair in terms of rookie development. I must be misremembering because it seems like in the Ted Thompson years, he was criticized for re-signing “his guys” vs. improving via FA but we knew the contributors. Now I feel like due to always redrafting we are perpetually stuck in the uncertainty of asking which guy will make a Year 2/3 jump, which guy will play which OL position, who is the No. 1 spot by position, etc. This is apropos of nothing. Just how it feels.

Gutekunst should be commended for opening a portal in Green Bay to unrestricted free agency. It can be a great avenue for player procurement, especially when you need to make significant changes (e.g. pass rusher in 2019 and safety in 2024) without asking incoming rookies to be an immediate change agent. The tie that binds the ideology of Thompson and Gutekunst is their shared desire to spend on homegrown talent. It’s not only great for a team’s culture to reward your own but also a good barometer for how productive an organization has been foundationally. It was no surprise Ryan Poles signed as many free agents as he did after being hired as GM in Chicago. The cupboard was bare. With a few productive classes, the Bears now have tougher calls to make. Meanwhile, these are the waters the Packers have been swimming in for the past 30 years.