Inbox: That’s something special

My kids are now too big for “Little Blue Truck.” I can still recite most of it and would like to relate it to the NFL cap: Big Dump is the cap, Russ Ball and Gutey are Little Blue and the Green Toad. The only question is can they push Dump through the puddle in ’22? My money is on yes and even with a wink of the eye.

As long as the rest of the organization rushes out like the farm animals to help Little Blue and Toad power Big Dump out of the mud. Man, this analogy hit me right in the feels.

Between Brian Gutekunst’s press conference and Aaron Rodgers’ appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” there truly hasn’t been any hint even at what the future holds, so let’s not speculate on that. What I gathered from it however was how crystal clear and transparent the relationship between Gute (and the organization) has become with Aaron over the past 12 months or so. There is a peace which both men have given off when discussing the other, and the “situation.” Regardless of the future, that has been very refreshing.

That’s how I centered my coverage this week. Whatever happens, it’s obvious the relationship between Rodgers and the organization is in a much better place than it was a year ago. There’s been more direct communication between the two sides and an understanding that everyone involved had a part to play in that. That makes me believe the decision, whatever it may be, will be the right one.

Seth from Garden City, KS

That Rodgers IG post is a real Moby Dick situation. Everyone immediately went into full on analysis calling it “cryptic.” My first thought was that he’s spent the past two years talking about an “attitude of gratitude.” He made a nice post about his loved ones. Sometimes the whale is just a whale.

We live in interesting times. Everyone wants everything to mean something. Sometimes it’s as simple as a guy just wanting to give his support system some love. Dude got done with a demanding cleanse and fast. I think I’d be pretty reflective, too.

David from Philadelphia, PA

I feel like I’m stating the obvious but it needs to be said. Can the fans and other sports media stop taking away double meanings from everything Rodgers is doing like they’re trying to decipher a Robert Frost poem? Sometimes, a guy just wants to show some gratitude as we all often should. Just because he’s eating a cheesesteak one day doesn’t mean it’s a sign he wants to play in Philly. It makes me appreciate you guys so much for just telling fans to wait and see rather than speculate.

I totally respect the job reporters have to do. Rodgers is one of the most recognizable faces in all of American sports. If Rodgers eats a cheesesteak, cameras are clicking and people want to know why. Unfortunately, that’s just how things are now. I don’t know if we can walk that back in the social-media age. I’m in a privileged spot where I no longer have track any of that stuff, and I’m very, very thankful for that. I’m guessing Mike “Social Media Maven” Spofford is, too.

Lou from Edmonton, Canada

Wes, fully agreed with the comments by Dennis from Beaverbrook and you. Just left wondering if you know what method BG prefers for acquiring those pieces of luck that are missing?

I think you saw it last year, Lou, with the addition of De’Vondre Campbell and Rasul Douglas. Gutekunst has lived up to his word in being in every conversation in free agency. Even when the Packers couldn’t afford Campbell in 2020, they stayed in the hunt last year and he made the difference on defense. Green Bay had a Super Bowl-caliber team in 2021. The challenge this offseason is keeping as much of that core together as possible.

George from Manchester Township, NJ

Wes, in today’s NFL, do you think when a player signs a big contract, he already assumes he will be restructuring it in a couple of years? It seems like nobody ever seems to be upset the contract they sign ever goes to the end.

Right now? Yes, but only because of the cap contracting last year due to the pandemic. Still, it’s a much better option for a veteran to receive a check in the mail than a pink slip. The process works because it carves out cap space for teams, while putting guaranteed money in players’ pockets.

Knowing that our special teams need a lot of work. I was wondering how much of Mason Crosby’s misses were on the long snapper or the holder. I noticed on several misses he would always look at the holder and was not happy. What say you.

Everyone had a role in it. But how soon they forget Crosby made 27 straight field goals before Cincinnati. Time will tell but it sounds like Crosby will get a shot at redemption. Again, it’s important to not rush to conclusions and consider all options. Exhibit A? The kicker who ended the Packers’ season that should still be in Chicago.