He more than proved himself

Dean from Leavenworth, IN

With the salary cap deadline only five days away the Packers have a lot of work left to do. Gute will be making the ultimate decisions on cap cuts but Russ Ball will also be very busy redoing and restructuring multiple contracts and working with players and their agents. Does Russ Ball have an assistant or other people that help with what seems to be a nearly impossible task?

Melanie Marohl, whose title is director of football administration/player finance, works closely with Russ on all the cap and contract matters. She’s actually been here longer than Russ has. Mel joined the Packers as a salary cap analyst 21 years ago.

Should the Packers look to the draft or free agency should MVS end up leaving?

Until we see what the team’s cap situation is come next Wednesday, and probably even after that, the draft is the more likely answer.

Can we ask draft questions now? What are the chances Jameson Williams drops to the Packers with his injury?

I’ve begun studying various early mock drafts to see the pool of players projected to be available in the bottom third of the first round, and Williams’ name is there rather frequently.

Anthony from Sturgeon Bay, WI

Three potential MVP awards and the concept that this wouldn’t necessarily motivate Aaron Rodgers? To be honest we need to recognize that ego drives these guys. I’m not saying that this is a bad thing, but in the end personal accolades drive the ego and high-performance athletes are driven by their ego. Everybody tries to make AR into some cognitive guru. There is no doubt in my mind that AR has a third consecutive MVP front and center along with winning a Super Bowl. Ego, winning and money drives AR.

Perhaps your motivational hierarchy is more accurate. I don’t know. What I do know is if Rodgers is playing like an MVP, the Packers will be winning games and putting themselves in the position they want to be in. Green Bay’s fewest regular-season victories in one of his MVP seasons is 12.

Slight correction on your Rodgers’ 2018-2019 take. He injured his knee on opening night in 2018 and it lingered throughout the season. 2019 brings Rodgers his first coaching change (and new offensive scheme) as an NFL starter. And other than Adams, those two WR rooms were mostly rookies/sophomores. He still had 4,000-plus yards, 25-plus TDs, and four or less INTs both years. The only “decline” apparent from Rodgers was from his own otherworldly standards. Suggesting otherwise ignores the context above.

All true, but with those being Years 11 and 12 as a starter and the coaching transition raising a lot of unknowns, it was entirely understandable for Gutekunst to hedge his bets at the game’s most important position and, in essence, protect the future. Rodgers himself said a rededication to leg workouts in 2020 rebuilt his physical foundation and helped put the ’18 knee injury further in the rear-view mirror. Much of that work occurred after the 2020 draft.

Daniel from San Diego, CA

Let’s say AR gets a four-year deal with X amount guaranteed. What happens to the guaranteed money if he decides to retire after two years? Thanks.

It would depend on how the guarantees are structured, such as if they’re based on him being on the roster. Also, barring any specific prohibition in the contract, a team is within its rights, if it desires, to recoup a pro-rated portion of signing bonus for a contract the player chooses not to fulfill.

Thomas from Cedar Rapids, IA

The Packers are in win-now mode. If Rodgers happens to get hurt for a game or two, having Love on the roster will help the team more than the potential return of say, a second-round pick we would get in a trade, barring an impact player still being available. A full season of Love won’t bring that elusive ring, but a game or two may prevent elimination from contention. Unless Gute is blown away, let’s put the “trade Love” talk to bed.

And if he lights it up in the preseason this summer, with Rodgers planning to continue playing into 2023, the discussion becomes worth revisiting at this time next year.

George from North Mankato, MN

Which offseason transaction has surprised you the most thus far? Care to make a bold prediction before the start of the new NFL season?

With all the potential QB movement out there, I’m surprised one of the earliest dominoes to tumble was Carson Wentz.

Given the cap situation and his recent struggles, what are your expectations for how the Packers handle Crosby? Restructure his deal? Bring in competition? Pending release? No. 2 always seems to find a way to bounce back … I’m hoping the front office gives him a chance and that he makes good on it in 2022.

Various possibilities exist with Crosby. Competition is already present on the roster in the form of two other kickers. Gutekunst has said he wants Crosby to remain the Packers’ kicker. There are cap issues to consider. We just have to wait and see.

Good morning Insiders. How impressed were you by Eric Stokes’ rookie season? I know I was really impressed. What I really liked was how every time he made a play, he just got right back into the huddle. He didn’t do any showboating. I think he’s a class act. Just do your job and get ready for the next play! GPG

The young man got thrown into the fire more quickly and thoroughly than anyone intended, and he more than proved himself. For those who missed it, I posted this story on him a little over a month ago. There’s reason to be fired up about what lies ahead for Stokes.

Justin from Sammamish, WA

MLB opening day is April 7. Hallelujah!

You said it. Happy Friday.