NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Packers

Bears

Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune writes that the “Bears aren’t just answering the phone about [Jordan] Howard. They’re dialing out.”

Bears HC Matt Nagy mentioned that GM Ryan Pace is “always going to see where we’re at” and will “entertain” trade offers that make the team better, via the Chicago Sun-Times.

Lions

Lions HC Matt Patricia said Detroit would like to monitor RB Kerryon Johnson‘s workload to ensure he stays healthy.  

“Regardless of Kerryon, I think it’s a position-specific thing where those guys, they take a lot of hits,” Patricia said via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “They’re in those situations a lot where their bodies are taking some pounding so you want to be conscious of how many plays they’re getting, especially early on in the year. And obviously, we just want to win. That’s the most important thing. But you do have to look at big picture and say, ‘OK, great, we could win a couple now, but if we wear this guy out and he doesn’t help us in the long run then what’s the trade-off?’”

The Lions will look to add a second running back to rotate with Johnson and compete with Zach Zenner and Theo Riddick. Birkett says RBs Spencer Ware, Javorius Allen or Rod Smith could be options if the Lions don’t draft a running back. 

Packers

• Packers new HC Matt LaFleur indicated that they will head into the season with Tramon Williams at cornerback, despite finishing the year at safety in 2018. (Wes Hodkiewicz)
• Mississippi State DE Montez Sweat will visit with the Packers. (Tom Pelissero)
• Texas A&M TE Jace Sternberger is scheduled to visit with the Packers. (Jared Tokarz)