It’s pretty strange to think that there won’t be any football this Sunday. Now that the offseason is officially upon us, and the content machine will be slowing down, I thought we could do a super early offseason Q&A. There were some really fun questions posed on Twitter, so feel free to leave your own responses in the comments. 

“Which player from each side of the ball are you most excited about their development for next season?” - From Steve

It absolutely feels like cheating to say AJ Dillon, but he would be the obvious pick. Assuming both Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams aren’t re-signed, there’s going to be a significant amount of carries going Dillon’s way. His Week 16 breakout against the Titans obviously showed fans what he can do, and while that won’t necessarily be his every-game production, the running back room will be in good hands with Dillon. If it’s cheating to use him, then I’ll say Josiah Deguara. I know he got hurt in Week 2 but I thought his first game action against the Vikings gave us a glimmer of how Matt LaFleur envisioned him fitting in the offense. When he comes back healthy he should carve out a significant role for himself. Defensively, I’ll go with Rashan Gary. We saw him take a jump in year two and finish second on the team in both sacks and pressures. While the defense will be led by a new coordinator in 2021, outside linebackers coach Mike Smith is still in the building. I fully expect Gary to take another huge leap entering his third season. 

“What is more important to the improvement of the defense...another good cover corner, pass rusher, or ILB?” - From Andrew

I’m going to say another good cover corner, and that’s why I think CB will be the first selection by the Packers this draft. Jaire Alexander takes away half the field, which is phenomenal, but then whoever is covering the opposite boundary tends to get bullied (as we saw in the NFC Championship Game). Krys Barnes was a solid Mike linebacker for the Packers and given how little value Green Bay places in the position, solid is good enough for this defense. Now maybe that changes if Joe Barry leans towards a 4-3 base or wants more of a coverage ILB, but any defense benefits from good cover corners. 

“What type of defensive scheme brings out the best in our current batch of players?” - From Laurie 

Lots of questions about the defense, and I get it. Joe Barry wasn’t necessarily the fan-favorite hire, which ties into Gil’s question about my thoughts on him. But I’m personally of the mindset that LaFleur has earned our trust as a head coach. His position coaches have all been excellent so far, and it sounds like Barry wants to run a Wade Phillips scheme (which is who a lot of Packers fans wanted anyway). I think it’s less about the scheme and more getting the most out of the existing players on the roster. Everything I’ve read about Joe Barry is that he brings energy and aggression to his defense, something that arguably was lacking during the Mike Pettine era, and that seems unheard of with players like Za’Darius Smith and Jaire Alexander on the roster. If Barry can light a fire, the talent is already there for him to work with, regardless of his scheme. 

“Would you rather the Packers draft a CB as a long term solution, or sign a veteran free agent at the possible cost of losing a free agent that is already on the team as a short term solution?” - From Mark

I’d like the Packers to draft a cornerback. But, if I can plug Pack’s What She Said here, my co-host Perri Goldstein and I did discuss the possibility of one Tramon Williams coming back to the team on a small contract. Clearly he’s still in playing shape despite him not playing in the NFCCG. A small, cap-friendly contract is about the only type of veteran free agent move I think Green Bay makes this year, unless the Packers re-sign one or more of their own guys. I just think the draft will give the Packers more wiggle room with negotiating their cap situation. And if I can choose between bringing in a free agent cornerback or re-signing Corey Linsley, I’m signing Linsley. 

“Do you keep players like Raven Greene and Lane Taylor as they’ll be cheap returns (in a tight cap year) or are they too much of a risk with injury histories?” - From Robin

These contracts are slightly different since Greene is a restricted free agent, but I absolutely understand what you’re saying. I’ve actually thought a lot about Lane Taylor this offseason given Green Bay’s tight cap situation. If they’re forced to try and free up money by getting rid of a guy like Rick Wagner or Billy Turner (which I’m not advocating for by any means given David Bakhtiari’s status to start the season remains uncertain), Taylor can provide the same type of insurance on a much cheaper contract. Let’s remember Taylor won the starting right guard job out of camp before his terribly unfortunate injury in Week 1. It would be mutually beneficial to both sides to bring Taylor back on a cheap deal. He gets one more contract from Green Bay as an audition for the rest of the league that he can still play, and the Packers get cheap at either guard spot (which might be significant if Elgton Jenkins moves to center in 2021). 

“Do you think they trade down? 29th what’s the upside of drafting a late paying first round money and getting maybe second round talent? Or if anyone tries to understand the front office are they just crazy?” - From Miguel 

Miguel, if a talented edge rusher from Wisconsin is selected at 29th overall as the Packers trade down into the early second and draft a cornerback out of Washington, Packers Twitter might come for you (I kid). I do think it makes sense to trade down into the early second round and get a couple more draft picks. This year, with so many big-name Packers free agents potentially leaving the team (and having Jaire Alexander and Davante Adams both as free agents in 2021), Green Bay needs to bring in as many players as possible to plug roster holes for cheap. At 29, it’s entirely possible a quarterback-needy team will want to trade up and grab a quarterback with a fifth-year option. 

“What were your favorite experiences at Lambeau?” - From Phil

I threw this question in here for fun, and because it’s the response I’m most curious about from readers, so make sure you add yours in the comments! There are so many for me to even list. Does my wedding count? I mean getting married at Lambeau Field is absolutely an unmatched memory in my life. I was surrounded by all of my favorite people at my favorite place. If we’re talking about Packers games specifically, 2019 Week 2 against the Vikings is up there for me. That was my first game as a Packers season ticket holder. I went with my parents and brother, and it was the game they honored Bart Starr at. I cried like a baby seeing Brett Favre escort Cherry Starr out of the tunnel. As far as a Lambeau Field atmosphere, I’ll take 2019 against the Panthers in a snow globe. It was the worst drive home of my life, but there is no prettier sight than a snowy Lambeau Field. Another, potentially underrated game is 2017 against the Bengals. That was one of the loudest games I’ve been to, and it was memorable not only for Rodgers throwing his second career pick-six, but also for him getting to notch his first overtime win.