The Packers have a blueprint for how they draft and develop receivers

Wes Hodkiewicz

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Spoff and Hod, when opening the Inbox and seeing all our questions and comments: "Why do we always come here? I guess we'll never know. It's like a kind of torture, to have to run this show!"

It's time to get things started on the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, Inboxetationalthis is what we call the Spofford Showwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

Craig from Sussex, WI

I attend a training camp practice or two every year, there's nothing like the feeling that football is back! What is your favorite moment of anticipation for the upcoming season?

Minicamp. It feels like the last day of school before heading into summer break. But it's also fun because you know training camp and football are waiting on the other side.

Paul from Ellensburg, WA

Hey fellas, can you imagine an offensive play where we have Jayden Reed flying behind the line on a jet sweep withJosh JacobsandSavion Williamsin the backfield whileMatthew Goldenshoots off on a go route? Sign me up! If I'm a DB or LB, I wouldn't know if I need to crash down into the box, rush over to coverJayden Reedor swing right to make sure Williams doesn't bounce out or catch a ball in the flat. So many possibilities and that doesn't even coverTucker Kraft/Luke Musgravequick block and leaking out.

That's what I was hinting earlier this week when discussing Golden and Co.'s speed. Even if the defense plays coverage and only rushes four, it's still difficult to keep tabs on that many skill-position players.

Phillip from Wonder Lake, IL

With the addition of Matthew Golden and the recovery ofChristian Watsongoing well, can they both be on the field at the same time?

Yes, once Watson is healthy. That would be sublime.

Jon from Willmar, MN

How's Christian Watson's recovery coming?

Watson told reporters at a recent community event that he's "in a really good spot" with his rehab, both mentally and physically. That doesn't surprise me considering Watson is as mature a 25-year-old as you'll find. He acknowledged he still has "a couple more months ahead of me," but it sounds like he's been a fixture at the facility throughout the offseason.

Doug from Roberts, WI

It's usually assumed that draft picks at the top of the draft are talented enough to play in any scheme. As teams get deeper into the draft and look for "traits" they hope will make a player successful, how important is the fit? Any players NFL-wide that you feel were shortchanged career-wise because of a poor fit? Packer players?

I think the most important thing is opportunity. Players could fit perfectly into a scheme, but they may not be able to showcase it if their position is stacked or they get overlooked. The best example of that is college free agency where hundreds of prospects and their agents are trying to figure out where they have the best chance of "making it."

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, while the Packers seemingly have an embarrassment of riches in the WR room, that would be relative to the others in the room. How would you compare the talent level there to the rest of the NFL? While it might be a good problem to have, you would hate to release good football players back into the wild where other teams can collect them at no cost. Are we overstocked in that room? If you were to pick a position on the roster that could use more depth in the room, what would it be?

I don't know enough about the top eight receivers on the other 31 NFL teams to compare the Packers' wideout room. But I can tell you Green Bay will keep as many wideouts as it takes. Looking at the roster, I feel like the positions where you need the most depth are the ones where players rarely come off the field. That may sound counterintuitive, but losing a left tackle, "Mike" linebacker or perimeter cornerback can have dire consequences if you don't have serviceable options behind them.

Jason from Mt. Prospect, IL

I'm most interested in how this offensive line shakes up. The investment in early rounds (Jordan MorganandAnthony Belton) makes me think that they expect those guys to be long-term starting-caliber linemen for this team. My uneducated, dream offensive line to start the season would beZach Tomand Jordan Morgan at LT and RT,Aaron Banksand Belton at LG and RG, andElgton Jenkinsat center. IfSean Rhyanis a depth guard and Belton can play tackle in case of emergency...What happens withRasheed Walker!? Decisions, decisions....

You're putting the cheese before the tray, Jason. Walker is still LT1. He's earned that with how he's played the past two seasons. All the Packers are saying right now is Morgan will get an opportunity to compete for a starting job at multiple positions. Trying to configure a starting five makes for interesting offseason discussion, but the reality is we're still four months away from meaningful football.

Josh from Fort Myers, FL

Insiders, regarding draft host cities, given the success that Green Bay had, I'm of the opinion that cities that have hosted or will host a Super Bowl should be ineligible for the draft. The league needs to prioritize those markets that are too small and/or too cold for the big game for the biggest event of the offseason. That also raises another question, is there a reason the combine is always held in Indy? Why hasn't the league taken that show on the road as well?

The combine should stay in Indianapolis. The event is more business convention than viewing spectacle. Teams are there to scout talent and do medical evaluations. Indianapolis is a good center bullseye for NFL teams to convene and the city is built perfectly for it. I'm with you as far as the NFL Draft on non-Super Bowl cities getting priority. It's good for the league and its club partners.

Joe from Swansea, IL

I want to put this question delicately, in deference to the player involved, but do you thinkRomeo Doubs' hiccup last year played a factor in restocking the receiver room? By all accounts, he seems a good guy. I hope that blemish hasn't changed what people think of him.

Not at all. I think what Brian Gutekunst did was go back to the blueprint for how the Packers draft and develop receivers. Part of that is keeping the pass-catching cupboard stocked at all times. Jordy Nelson was drafted the same year Greg Jennings and Donald Driver had 1,000-yard seasons. Six years later, Davante Adams was drafted the same season Nelson and Randall Cobb had more combined catches, yards and touchdowns than any receiving duo in team history. There was a three-year stretch from 2019-21 where the Packers drafted one receiver (Amari Rodgers) and it had an impact on the offense once Adams was traded.

Travis from Green Bay, WI

How much forward looking do you think a GM has to be? One could say the draft picks filled in where we will have future FA. Two receivers and three OL. I'm assuming Gutey already knows who he wants to extend. How much does what they do this year matter?

NFL GMs must balance having one foot in the present while also stepping forward in the future. As much as teams and their fans absolutely, positively want to win it all in the here and now, you're not going to last if that team isn't well-positioned for what comes afterward. You hear this a lot in Formula One, where team principals talk about building their cars for next season while competing in the present.

Brad from Altamont, NY

HasKenny Clarkever been lined up outside for rushing a passer like Reggie White was moved around for favorable matchups? Long time II reader and infrequent question submitter. Still a fan since 1967 after I read Bart's biography and "Instant Replay." GPG

Not that I recall, but that's also not Clark's game. He's a tried-and-true defensive tackle where White was a Hall of Fame defensive end who could move around to catch the offensive line off-guard.

Will from Cheddar, UK

So, I understand the excitement about our new wide receivers but also have the phrase "dime a dozen" registered in the back of my mind. Am I wildly wrong in thinking that potentially, we were one offensive lineman away from a Super Bowl appearance last year? Love the column and the Muppets quotes.

I don't buy the "dime a dozen" thing with receivers. I appreciate Vic's thoughts on the subject, but ultimately you need players who not only can catch the ball but also can do something with it. As good as Aaron Rodgers was during his four MVP seasons, Nelson and Adams were at the peak of their pass-catching powers. It's hard for me to play the hypothetical game as far as last year on the offensive line, but I feel like the Packers will be measurably deeper in 2025 with the addition of Banks and Belton.

Richard from Telford, TN

We bulked up on the O-line and added speed and bulk to the D-line. Will we need to wait for training camp to see if we hit a winner, or do winners show themselves sooner?

It's hard for those positions to differentiate themselves until the pads go on, but the offseason program and the first few practices of training camp can still be educational in terms of how quickly linemen are absorbing what the coaches are throwing at them. For example, Corey Linsley came here in 2014 and immediately looked like an NFL center based on his confidence, declarations and the feedback James Campen was giving him. Even before JC Tretter went down, I had a feeling Linsley was going to be all right if needed.

Ben from Cripple Creek, CO

In regard to John from Freedom, yes, but Justis also pointed out that ILBs' contracts (at least for the high-end ones) are starting to increase. Depending on how Quay Walker plays, if he views himself as a top ILB, that could get tricky onceEdgerrin Cooper's contract comes around. Getting it done sooner than later is helpful.

That's still two (to extend) or three (to unrestricted free agency) years away in Cooper's case and that might as well be 2030 in the NFL. Again, the fifth-year option is just noise. Walker is going to be just fine. The Packers have been transparent about Walker and his importance to Jeff Hafley's defense.

Steve from Plover, WI

A follow-up comment to the one from John from Palmdale, CA. I liken outdoor stadiums with no domes to the Cubs' longstanding opposition to installing lights at Wrigley. The tradition was that baseball was meant to be played on a field basked in sunshine, but the impracticality of avoiding night games was eventually a deciding factor in forcing the Cubs to install lights. Likewise, playing football on frozen tundra, as it was meant to be played, will eventually succumb to accommodating the masses.

I don't think so. At least not in my lifetime. Yes, it's not only tradition but also the limitations of hosting premium events in Green Bay given its size and geographical location. Maybe that wave makes its way through the NFL, but like John said, I think Lambeau Field would be the last holdout.

Ben from Luxemburg, WI

I may have missed this and it's something you don't often see, but how does someone likeBarryn Sorrellactually get into the green room on Day 3 of the draft? I can't foresee anyone just being allowed in the draft room in hopes to hear their name called to walk on stage. Plus, after Thursday and especially Friday, the green room had to be pretty empty.

Check back to packers.com in about a week or so for that answer.

Ron from Mitchell, SD

After reading MT5 columns and watching the 2025 draft, it's obvious that Mark Murphy is such a genuine human being! He is so down-to-earth and personable. He treats everyone with respect and seems truly interested in each and every person he meets. The Packers have been blessed to have him, and best of luck to him in his well-earned retirement.

If I've accomplished anything in this column over the past nine years, I hope I've made that much clear

Robert from Saginaw, MI

I propose naming the field in the Titletown District "The Mark Murphy Field."

That's a good idea, Robert. A really good idea.

Chuck from Tucson, AZ

Ten-year watcher of "Packers Unscripted." If there was one thing I wish you could change is the introductory music to the show. It is really getting boring.

We originally planned to use a track of Mike covering 50 Cent's "In da Club," but it didn't pass the QC check. So, I regret to inform you the current intro will have to do until I can find Paul Shaffer's number.

Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

"Insider Inbox, where you're always just a click away." Sounds like it should be on a T-shirt. Is anyone making money off this place like they should be yet?

Nobut I just write here.

Robert from Pembine, WI

In the Wednesday column, Mike stated "Since XLV, the Packers have 11 winning seasons and playoff appearances.". Is that true? 11+11=22. It's just a number.... right?

"22" is becoming the new "88," isn't it?

Josh from Vero Beach, FL

Mike from Winchester, TN, might have had the submission of the year. "Hi Mike, FYI, the line: "You are only here until I can replace you" doesn't go over too well with your spouse." What a legend.

What I need to know is whether that was simply Mike from Winchester's hypothesis or if he made it far enough down the Scientific Method to experiment with that line?

Markus from Aurora, CO

Another day further removed from the draft, another day closer to NFL football. Day by day, it's a waiting game.

Ain't it wonderful?

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