I firmly agree on all 4 points, especially with the idea of adding some sort of veteran Safety, because as of now it looks like a combo of Savage and Ford/Moore.

Yes to Gary—but that’s Russ Ball’s department—assuming that a suitable deal can be reached.

Potentially yes to a S, but there’s very little out there other than Amos. Right now, I’m not sure if we have the cap to do that without Gary being extended.

No to a vet TE, QB or WR at this stage. Unless due to injury, we need to get practice time for the youngsters. There really is nothing out there that interests me. We need our young guys out there catching and blocking. They are going to be better than anyone currently available sooner that way.

At TE, for backups, Davis and maybe Allen are adequate blockers and that’s the bit we may need to have covered early on. As far as a receiver goes, anything worth it will be a last minute cut. Yes, it would be nice to have a vet until he takes up snaps. Hire one as a consultant/intern coach. At QB, we chose to go the Clifford route. They won’t touch that absent injury or obvious failure. They will want all 3 QBs to get as many snaps as possible till then.

I don't really understand the logic of needing a veteran player to coach up the young guys. That's what coaches are for, many of them being former players. If GB needs some young assistant coaches that used to play in the league and that can help mentor the young players, great... they should do that.

But when it comes to taking roster spots and snaps away from younger guys that need development opportunities, I just don't see the logic. GB isn't competing for a Super Bowl this year, so the last thing I want is a Sammy Watkins eating into the snaps of the young receivers. And if GB needs a TE to make a big block, I want the young guys being given the opportunity to execute.

I think Safety is a different position, because unlike WR and TE, I don't think the future starters on on the roster today. Love the Johnson Jr. pick and hope he's a long term starter in GB, but I can see the logic of improving the play at this position this year so that the defense doesn't implode due to poor play by a specific group.

The only way I can talk myself into vets at WR and TE is if we think the WRs and TEs are going to be so bad that we won't be able to properly evaluate Love. In that case, this is the most important objective for the team in the next two years, so go do what needs to be done.

We have coaches who presumably can teach the young guys how to play in the NFL. That's not quite the same thing as having veteran players who are role models, but I still don't think it's worth it to have vets taking up roster spots unless they are big contributors on the field. Safety is the one position where that could happen. A hard no to a veteran WR unless a few of the young guys crash and burn during training camp, which doesn't seem likely. Which young WR would we want to cut to make room for a veteran who would probably spend most of his time on the bench anyway?

After the draft, it makes more sense (to this gm) to sign MLewis to a minimum type contract. If he'd consider it. I wouldn't break what's left of the bank.
Same with AAmos. Maybe more $ to AA, as this seems to be a real area of need.
He knows the staff, the layout and most of the safety room. what he lacks in athleticism he's got in professionalism.
Young teams like ours have talent, but need to grow into professionals.
GPG!

Is it even possible for them to fit veterans at 3 positions under the salary cap? It would be great to have Amos back at a reasonable number and Lewis as well unless he is headed to the Jets. That wouldn't surprise me.

No mention of a makeshift veteran QB? Should Love go down for some reason, I don't know how comfortable anyone would be with either Etling or Clifford as the primary backup. We're not even talking about the competitive aspect here yet, but just someone who can move our young pass catchers on in their early development.

Can't wait for the rotational adventures at safety. I would agree that maybe we can pick up a serviceable cut. And re-signing Amos doesn't sound like too bad of a option now. Otherwise, it's going to be, uh, entertaining....

I think we can skip the veteran WR. But TE may be in play, but I wouldn't know who. Does Lewis want to play for a rebuilding team at this stage of his career? Maybe we should just roll with the works in progress--the more snaps they get, the quicker they become masters of their trade.

I don't like the idea of bringing in a veteran at safety or WR. Safety I think the team can get by with what they have, especially if Barry figures out how utilize Savage like he was being used in year 2 when he was an ascending player. At WR we don't need a veteran like Watkins taking reps away from the young guys. Doing that could easily stunt the growth of the young players.

1) Absolutely yes they should extend Gary and they should do it now in hopes they may be able to get him a little cheaper coming off the ACL tear.

2) Umm not even a mention of Tarvarious Moore? He's the best safety on the roster. Blazer who fits the run like a mfer.

3&4) Hard pass. Embrace the youth movement. Adding another Sammy Watkins like scrap heap vet will only take reps from young guys who desperately need them. Corey Davis made sense if they couldve got him from the Jets since he already knows this offense. But why bring in a vet who will be learning Lafleur's complex offense (which by all accounts the hardest position to learn in his offense is receiver) when that vet will be learning it for the first time just like the rookies? Not for me. Let the young guys take their lumps. This team will be better for it in the long run.

Yes to paying Gary, yes to Lewis on a minimum deal, no to wasting capital on either an FA safety or receiver. Lewis has never been much of a receiving threat but it sure seems like every time AR threw to him Lewis was open, caught the rock, and made positive yards. So either AR only threw to Lewis when he was open or AR didn't throw to him enough. The fact that Mercedes hasn't bothered to sign yet with PackersEast - aka the Jets - may indicate that he wants to return and maybe would give us at worst the same blocking skills and at best more receiving yards from a presumablyore open-minded QB1.

As for Amos and a vet FA WR, just no. Amos will likely command more than his value to THIS team at THIS time, making a new contract an overpayment. There are far too many young players for this team to hope to achieve anything more than basic competency in 2023 so paying Amos to tip the balance on those few plays that differentiate the competent from the contender seems ill advised. If the cap was in better shape maybe but we all know where we are there.

The plea for a veteran WR is puzzling to me. I agree with all past comments here and elsewhere holding that players play and coaches coach. Moreover our past dipping into the aging, wounded, or down-on-their-luck WR's has not been productive or sanguinary. Worse, if this is a rebuilding year then having some gimpy vet out there just takes snaps from kids who have way more upside than downside. Tear off the bandaid - play the kids and see whar they can do.

I will get pasted again for saying this, but back up QB should be priority.

Imagine this scenario: first quarter first game of the season. Love is scrambling and is tackled hard and breaks his leg, a season-ending injury.

At that point the Packers have.....a practice squad UDFA qb....and a sixth round draft pick, neither having taken a snap against an NFL defense in regular season play.

Still think the Packers can compete? What about all those wide receivers and tight ends who likely WON'T be getting the ball? You can only run so much.

Even though AR is gone, the rest of the team is here and I want them to be able to compete.

I will get pasted again for saying this, but back up QB should be priority.

Imagine this scenario: first quarter first game of the season. Love is scrambling and is tackled hard and breaks his leg, a season-ending injury.

At that point the Packers have.....a practice squad UDFA qb....and a sixth round draft pick, neither having taken a snap against an NFL defense in regular season play.

Still think the Packers can compete? What about all those wide receivers and tight ends who likely WON'T be getting the ball? You can only run so much.

Even though AR is gone, the rest of the team is here and I want them to be able to compete. If you think either one of those qb's mentioned can run an NFL offense, well I have some land in Florida.

1. Yes!
2. You can get by with mediocre Safeties and DBs if your DL is consistently getting pressure. I think Gute with or w/o Barry's input added more rush/penetration guys for the front 4/3/2/1. Even if that's not a 100% success I still think with Moore, Ford, Savage and Johnson they can have a passable safety room.
3. & 4. While the King of favoring the Vet over the rookie is now QBing for the Jets, I am concerned that some in the coaching staff would be inclined to inhibit the rookies/2nd year players development if the team starts off poorly. I look at 2023 being a step back year (maybe not in results with some luck and continued development), but in expectations that we sacrifice development for an extra win. We could have a much better idea of what to expect from Love if he had played even 1 full game during Rodgers injured period last year. Also the decision to throw Hanson and Newman out there over and over again while Tom impressed in preseason indicates that vetness is still overvalued with the current staff. Go with the YUTES!!!

1. yes, extend Gary on another team friendly deal, so Packers can have additional relase from cap limitations.
2. As some posters here indicate we have veteran safety on the team - Tavarius Moore, but if you are not satified with him, maybe to call HOFER Willie Wood - he would be grandfather figure for them...
3. For veteran WR I suggest to sign either Jordy Nelson or Greg Jennings (they can now - ACR is out of town!)...
4. TE? Mercedes Lewis? You want someone who runs 40 20 seconds to be role model for Packers TE? Only as assistant coach. It could be costly to spare value position. I suggested first here to offer Mercedes Lewis assitant TE position if he is willing to take on coaching. Much better solution.
5. If any believe that rest of the available QB back ups are better than what Packers have on the roster at the moment, well....

And if Jordan Love would be seriously injured there is no back up who could carry you to the promised land - not Matt Ryan not any available back ups....

So, as evaluation year, not only for Jordan Love, but for many players on the roster (OL, DL, DB, RB, WR, TE, LB, P, K, ST) it will be just prolonging the time Packers will be in rebuilding/retooling phase.

I'm all for Packers to play as younger as they can, keep not so old veterans on the team and lean on them to establish together with Jordan Love locker room on the track of Packers way. That is more important than have washed veterans who might cost place of some future very good player.

Anyhow, I believe Brett Favre answer on the question will he help ACR to master the craft: "I'm not here to mentor players or coach them!" tells you all about idea how should veterans act.

Sure its risky, but I like re-signing Gary, and sooner rather than later. Do it now, maybe its a little cheaper than if he comes back healthy and goes off.

Packers owe Amos almost $8 million in dead cap. That's guaranteed money for him. I could see him returning on a team-friendly deal. He'd end up making slightly more than Savage's fifth year option. If nobody else signs him by June, I think there's a solid chance he returns. If he doesn't show he can compete with the youth movement in camp, no big deal moving on.

I don't know if a veteran WR would really improve the group, or just be in the way of the younger guys getting snaps. Anyone worth a look available, and affordable?

I'd really enjoy seeing Lewis finish his career in GB. He's a helluva leader, and a mean blocker. I kind of sit in the middle between let players play and coaches coach. Sure, coaches may have played the position prior, and there is absolutely no knock against them, but a veteran player is still playing, still seeing the field from a player's perspective, not from the sideline. That little bit of added experience/advice would be beneficial to those rookies. Transition from college to the NFL is particularly difficult for TEs. Let the rookies watch Lewis fearlessly attack DL/OLBs, and level DBs. That all said, I understand if they move on.

Deguara must be chop liver…but right now he’s TE1 and a veteran.

I wouldn't do Any.
Love must Prove himself!

1. Gary is coming off a injury.
He may turn into Nick Perry.
Use the franchise tag first.

2. Veteran Safety- Save the $$$.
You must see if Savage can Do.
And were not making the playoffs.

3. Wr.- It's time to see if these WRs
Can make the grade.
A veteran will only disrupt the chemistry.

4. TE- Seriously? - Two TEs were drafted.
I don't want any TE to take up
their development Time.

With the draft over and training camp not until late July, what are we as fans supposed to do in the meantime?

No, No, No, No, and NO! For one, the Packers have no cap space to bring in any worthwhile vets. For 2, all it will do is retard the development of the young players. For 3, PLEASE do not bring back Lewis. Even though he is a great guy, putting him in the game just tells the defense we are going to run the ball. In that case just put in Caleb Jones.

I am against bringing in veterans as "locker room influences".

Either the team has locker room leadership or it doesn't and needs to develop it internally.

Roster spots are NOT for coaches. Roster spots are for PLAYERS. Players need to play and coaches need to coach them up. Players coaching players is just plain wasteful. Why have coaches if they are not doing the "develop" part of "Draft and Develop".

Green Bay has one of the largest coaching staffs in the NFL. If that group isn't coaching up the players, "what in the hell are they doing out there!"

DO YOUR JOB! Sound familiar?

The time has come to let the young players play. This is not a playoff team. We need to find out who can play and who can’t.

Veteran Safety - probably. Packers are still very thin there. I think the Packers can survive with a young crew, but a vet can help as long as he helps on the field on Sundays, as well.

Veteran TE - I do like the idea of Lewis training the young guys, especially as he is such a good blocker and such an experienced vet. The Packers can use him as one half of two TE sets, rotating Musgrave and Kraft in and out. The TE room needed a major investment and got it with two top 100 picks (42 and 78).

Veteran WR. I wouldn't do it. Watson, Doubs, Toure, Reed, Wicks and DuBose could well all make the team. All are young, all need snaps........... and even without a vet, there won't be enough snaps to go round.

I’ll commit to #1.

Yes to Gary and whoul be shocked if they haven't already been working on it .

Really don't see the need the and on the other 3 .

Why a vet wr or te ? Packer fans seem to understand this much better than packer beat writers but enough with any veteran additions . This is a new phase a new team . This is not a super bowl contending team which is fine. Why take a space from a young guy at either position ? Let Jordan and the WR and TE grow or fail together.

A vet safety is pointless . If Berry and Lalfuer can't figure this out with all the resources that have been allocated on defense already and have at minimum a top 8 defense then Berry needs to go and Lafluer needs to go for hiring and keeping Berry as DC. No safe spaces for Lafluer for his blundering hire of a DC.

RG contract yes as it helps 2023 CAP. Trade for B. Baker (S) from AZ for 24 Draft pick as unless Savage finally becomes something else, we will need 2 starting Safeties next season and he will need paid anyway. No to the rest. Let the new guys learn on the go. It is what it is....a pretty solid team learning it's way to winning in the NFL with new blood and better attitude. GPG

Almost every column that references enhancing a position of need on the team alludes to either addressing it with a draft pick or via free agency which is the more expensive route. The team has a staff that scouts college talent and also pro talent and for whatever reason they feel reluctant to get the advise from the pro talent side and use it to take an option they seldom use and hardly is discussed, the Trade Option. The pro talent data base should target ascending young position players or backups who they believe can be starters, all on their first contracts and look to acquire them knowing they have pro experience and the projected short term cost is minimal. That seems to be a good Business Option hardly used. The draft pick option you roll the dice with and the free agent option you generally overpay for.

Missed the boat completely, need to sign a run stopper or a law will wind up 31st against the run again. Signing a vet to the other position groups will only take valuable reps away from the youngsters.

Missed the boat completely, need to sign a run stopper or a law will wind up 31st against the run again. Signing a vet to the other position groups will only take valuable reps away from the youngsters.

Missed the boat completely, need to sign a run stopper or a law will wind up 31st against the run again. Signing a vet to the other position groups will only take valuable reps away from the youngsters.