Unlike the United States Postal Service, Packers Notes delivers on Sundays – at least through August. Here are the first batch of letters from the offseason mailbag:
Is there any point in bringing Brett Hundley back for another season? – Carl from Ohio
Why wouldn’t you bring Hundley back? He obviously wasn’t good enough in 2017, but he also wasn’t close to the disaster most made him out to be. He had very little talent around him, and McCarthy didn’t do a good job of putting him in a position to succeed. Hundley also went up against some quality defenses. That said, Gutekunst should bring in a veteran to compete for the No. 2 job. He wouldn’t be my top choice, but don’t be shocked if Scott Tolzien returns to Green Bay.
Besides Joe Philbin and Mike Pettine, who do you think was the best new coach hired? – Alyssa from Maine
The list of new coaches isn’t very long. There are only Frank Cignetti and Jim Hostler on offense, Patrick Graham and Ryan Downard on defense and Maurice Drayton on special teams. Every other assistant was here at the end of the 2017 season – albeit some in different roles. Graham (run game coordinator/inside linebackers) has a good reputation, and to be honest, it’s disappointing that he won’t be in charge of the entire position group. Winston Moss hasn’t done much since 2006 when it comes to developing young talent.
How active do you expect new GM Brian Gutekunst to be in free agency this offseason? – Paul from Michigan
There’s really no way of knowing, but I expect Gutekunst to be fairly aggressive. He’s only human, and he’s well-aware of how much criticism was directed at Ted Thompson over the years due to his inactivity. Since the Packers are only about $22 million under the salary cap, Gutekunst will have to create more room if he wants to make a big splash. What he does with Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb could be telling.
I know the Packers have many needs, but what’s the biggest one heading into the spring? – Jim from Texas
You could make an argument for tight end, wide receiver, right guard, right tackle, and corner, but I think adding an edge pass rusher has to be priority No. 1. Mike Pettine will do a better job of scheming pressure than Dom Capers, but he’s not a magician. Clay Matthews hasn’t been able to beat good tackles in years, and Nick Perry just can’t stay healthy. It still amazes me that Thompson did next to nothing to fix this problem last offseason. I’d be stunned if Gutekunst doesn’t address it with a much greater sense of urgency.
(Click here to send your questions for the next Q&A)
