It’s the next chapter in a legendary story

With the Bucs playing in Munich for the NFL’s first regular-season game, do you think it is possible Gisele Bündchen, with her German heritage, had anything to do with Brady coming back? I mean if Ma Hod says we’re going to Europe, well, then the Hod family is going to Europe then, right?

That’s quite the conspiracy you’re spinning. All I know is those NFL fans in Deutschland were the week’s true winners. It’s the polar opposite of that dude and the overpriced Brady football.

Hi Wes, thanks for holding down the fort. So, the difference between the predicted AR contract deal and the actual one, but is that all? I’m assuming one less year means less dead money if ’12’ and the Pack were to part ways sooner, but I’m no cap expert. Does this put the organization in a better position for the next couple of years?

I don’t want to get into the dollars and cents because it’s complicated, but just know this is the direction all QB contracts are heading. Kyler Murray, Derek Carr and any franchise QB coming up on an extension is paying attention. Like always, the proration of the signing bonus and void years will lower Rodgers’ cap number for this upcoming year. That should give Green Bay enough breathing room to begin building the rest of the roster out. The Packers remain in a strong position to win this season and beyond.

Grant from Janesville, WI

Following up on Dar from Mansfield, all the big free-agent signings were defensive players: White, Woodson, Smith Bros, Peppers, Pickett, and Campbell. It’s interesting how many great defensive contributors we’ve brought in. Who are some memorable offensive free agents over the years?

The Packers haven’t had as many big-name offensive free-agent signings, even in the Ron Wolf Era. They built from within around Favre and Rodgers. Billy Turner, Frank Winters, Jahri Evans, Keith Jackson, Marcedes Lewis, Jared Cook, Jimmy Graham and Don Beebe would be the first names that come to mind for me. And of course, Desmond Howard on special teams.

I understand the logic on cutting Z, but it would have been fun to see him, Preston, and Gary on the field together healthy.

It is a shame. It would’ve been neat to see what the Packers could’ve done with all three on the field together in Joe Barry’s defense, especially with everything the Smith Bros. did to mentor Gary his first two years.

Brian from Maple Grove, MN

It seems like Gute is definitely going all-in with the re-signings and salary cap gymnastics. With that, do you think he is more likely to trade up in the first round or keep the picks to build depth for the 17-plus game season?

I could see it going either way. Last year was the first time Gutekunst stayed put and drafted where the Packers were picking in the first round. If Green Bay is sold on a prospect, it has the draft capital to go get him. But if the Packers want to sit back and let the board come to them, that option is on the table, too. Just how Gutekunst likes it.

Craig from Iron Mountain, MI

The Packers’ history of keeping their own first is huge for the team. And the fact that you don’t see a lot of ex-Packers getting gobbled up in the first week of free agency does say a lot about their evaluation process. With that being said, what player do you see out there who has NOT been a Packer, would you like to see in green and gold?

Allen Robinson. I know it won’t happen. The Packers have too many other needs right now. But since Robinson left Jacksonville, I felt he would be a good fit in Green Bay. I love his game…and resiliency. He’s one of the most underrated players of his era.

When I told my son that in MLB a player (in this case Freddie Freeman seeking a six-year contract) is often seen as starting on the downslide of a career (at 31) and he asked, considering how quite a few (it seems) of NFL players player well into the 30s, why this is. What’s the difference, if there is any? Offhand. I’d say it’s playing almost every day as compared to just 18 times or more in a season.

Football’s physicality takes a toll, but there’s also so much speed and explosiveness required to play the game at a high level – and that tends to be one of the first things to go for athletes. Baseball is a kinetic sport, where power often reigns supreme. Like boxing, power is often the last thing to go.

George from North Mankato, MN

Wes, I see the Browns have released JC Tretter. He was just re-elected to a second term as the Player rep for the NFLPA. If he is not signed by another team, would that cause him to no longer be the player rep?

Tretter was just unanimously voted to a second two-year term as NFLPA President, which he’s locked in for. But Tretter will be signed soon enough. He’s durable, smart and still one of the best centers in the game.