NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Packers

Bears

• The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs says if the Bears plan to switch C Cody Whitehair and G James Daniels, they’ll do it early in OTAs. 
• Biggs writes RB Ryan Nall has to prove his worth on special teams to make the final roster. 
• UNC-Charlotte OL Nate Davis has a visit set up with the Bears. (Jordan Schultz)

Lions

• Penn State LS Kyle Vasey had a private workout with the Lions Thursday. (Aaron Wilson)

Packers

Packers president Mark Murphy denied a quote attributed him in the B/R from last week claiming he told QB Aaron Rodgers “don’t be a problem” during a phone call regarding the hiring of new HC Matt LaFleur.

“It’s all in the past. It’s a lot of half-truths and a lot of stuff just made up,” Murphy told  Scott Emerich of WXOW. “The conversation that allegedly took place between Aaron and I was completely false. We had a great conversation. It was very positive. We talked about Matt LaFleur and I said ‘Aaron, I think this change is going to be great for you and the organization and he was very positive.‘”

Murphy said that if things were as bad as the article said, they wouldn’t have had the kind of success they did. 

“Yeah. If things were as bad as that article implied, we never would’ve won a Super Bowl. We never would’ve gone to eight straight playoffs,” Murphy said. “It was certainly exaggerated. But I just felt like we did need a change and I think last year, with (former GM) Ted (Thompson) stepping down into more of a senior advisory role, then this year, just felt like we needed a change. As Aaron said, I have nothing but great respect for Mike and what he’s accomplished for us.”

Murphy did say that he believes all of this could end up being motivation for Rodgers and the team. 

“I think this is going to be great motivation for him and the team. You hate to have your dirty laundry aired but I do think it’s going to be a positive,” Murphy said.

• Per Ryan Wood, Packers DT Kenny Clark said he did not need elbow surgery this offseason and is ready to go. 
• Packers QB Aaron Rodgers says expectations are still high in Green Bay: “There isn’t a grace period…we have a veteran QB, veteran line, veteran receiver. Being in Green Bay, the expectation is to win championships” (Wes Hodkiewicz)
• Tulane CB Donnie Lewis Jr. visited the Packers Wednesday. (Josh Norris)
• The Packers are working out Northwestern LB Nate Hall and CB Montre Hartage as part of their local Pro Day. (Olivia Reiner)