For me the question is what do the Packers have to do to remain an elite team that has what it takes to continue to be successful and have a good chance every year to do what they did last year?
Teams that are at the top have common components that helps place them in this catagory of the teams with the ability to win the whole thing. First, they have an excellent QB. Secondly, they have an outstanding defense. One component that may not stand out but is there when you look at these teams is almost all have a very talented and productive TE.
I think McCarthy is in a great position this coming year because he has a wild card with Finley back that for the most part teams did not see last year. So teams with an off season to set up their D to try and stop the Packers will be very challenged as to how the Packers will attack them with Finley back in the picture.
So I predict Finley will be a huge part of the offensive success this coming year and Ted will do what he does which is keep the key core players on the team. As someone pointed out a hefty TE salary is not like what it is at some of the other positions.
I know someone is going to say "well, we won the SB without him" and my response is you can't keep doing the same thing with the same players and not expect defenses to start figuring out how to shut it down. With Finley back that becomes way more probematic then it would be if he were not out there.
"The train is leaving the station."