Morning Buzz: Busy first day for Packers at 2018 NFL combine

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers from around the web and here at PackersNews.com. Grab a strong cup of coffee and get caught up on everything you need to know about the Packers as they head into Day 2 of the scouting combine.

We’ll start with Tom Silverstein’s look at the challenge facing first-time general manager Brian Gutekunst as he tries to get his franchise quarterback signed to a contract extension.

From Tom:

Because he doesn’t know exactly where the 2018 salary cap will be set (some predictions are $178 million) and how much the Packers will be under (probably around $20 million), Gutekunst said he and executive vice president/director of football operations Russ Ball have gone through scores of scenarios in preparation for free agency.

Rodgers counts $20.9 million against the salary cap this season and with the way guaranteed money can be spread over the term of the contract, the Packers could limit the increase this year. But the more you limit it this year, the more it costs you in later years, and kicking the can down the road is not something the Packers typically do.

Despite having less salary-cap money available at this point in the offseason than former general manager Ted Thompson usually did, Gutekunst remained confident the Packers could retain the players they want and play in free agency.

But as with everything, a price must be paid if Gutekunst decides to take a significant bite of the free-agent apple.

Tom also wrote on how the Packers don’t seem concerned with Jordy Nelson’s dip in productivity:

Ryan Wood wrote on Mike McCarthy’s continued frustration on the defensive side of the ball:

Michael Cohen looks at how the word “aggressive” has been thrown around:

Ryan and I chatted about Brian Gutekunst’s media sessions:

Aaron Jones plead no contest to charges stemming from an arrest last October:

I chatted with readers late Wednesday about all the latest from Indy:

Elsewhere, David Bakhtiari is doing a little recruiting on Twitter:

As is Mike Daniels:

Ian Rapoport reports things aren’t close yet between the Packers and Rodgers as they look for a new deal:

Jason Wilde looks at the timeline for a Rodgers deal:

Chris Wanless says Rodgers doesn’t owe the Packers anything:

Mike McCarthy noted Gutekunst’s change in approach to free agency a few times:

Rob Demovsky looks at McCarthy’s continued faith in Brett Hundley:

Brian Jones writes on the Packers wanting to keep their veterans around:

The Power Sweep looks at a disappointing season from Joe Thomas:

Stephen A. Smith thinks Aaron Rodgers should get whatever he wants:

Meanwhile, Rodgers is out golfing:

NFL Films looks back at the 2014 NFC Divisional showdown with the Cowboys:

Morgan Burnett shared a vacation photo with several former teammates from Super Bowl XLV: