NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Packers, Vikings

Bears

Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky expressed some frustration after a 21-13 loss to the Packers that Chicago could have done some more things to make life easier on offense, like moving the pocket and letting Trubisky take advantage of his athleticism. However, Bears HC Matt Nagy said that’s not indicative of some kind of rift between himself and Trubisky. 

“You guys are always catching us right after the game,” Nagy said via ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson. “And so there’s a lot of emotions that go through. Here we are losing a game like that and knowing we could’ve played better. So I don’t know exactly what the question was that was asked, but I’m saying if you sensed a frustration, I think I know Mitch better than anybody in this building except maybe [QB coach] Dave Ragone. So I know the effect or what he means by any of that. I think probably, if I’m going back and watching that, it’s probably very general and big picture, but it’s also right after the game so I take nothing by that and we have a great relationship.”

• According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears will have a decision to make on the status of LB Leonard Floyd, who’s $13.2 million fifth-year option in 2020 becomes fully guaranteed on March 18. 
• Even though Floyd’s production — just three sacks this year and a career-high of 7 his rookie year — doesn’t line up with his 2020 salary, Bears LB coach Ted Monachino said he’ll go to bat for Floyd’s future with the team if asked this offseason: “When that question gets asked, I will absolutely pound the table for Leonard. I know that they’ll ask, and all they will have to do is put the tape on and they will see the same things that I will describe to them.”
• Nagy anticipates DT Akiem Hicks playing the final two games of the season. (Dickerson)
• Nagy says Chicago will still play starters the final two games of the season despite being eliminated from playoff contention. (Dickerson)

Lions

• MLive.com’s Kyle Meinke writes that it appears the Lions are tanking this season with the number of prominent players they have shelved for the season and the number of replacement players. 
• Because of that, Meinke believes it’s unlikely the Lions will fire HC Matt Patricia after the season, giving him another year to build his program with a healthy roster and high draft picks. 
• Lions G Kenny Wiggins is undergoing surgery to repair a torn biceps tendon on Tuesday. (Michael Rothstein)
• The Lions tried out LB Christian Sam on Monday. (Howard Balzer)

Packers

• Per the Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, Packers HC Matt LaFleur said the team needed to do a better job of involving WR Jake Kumerow: “We gotta make sure we get him on the field. I think you’ll see more of him as we move forward.”
• Rob Demovsky reports that the Packers worked out rookie WR Alex Wesley on Monday. 

Vikings

Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes saw his playing time on Sunday drop to just 23 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. 

“He was fine,” Vikings HC Mike Zimmer said Monday regarding Rhodes, via Pro Football Talk. “I don’t think that [injury] had anything to do with it.”

• When asked if Rohdes’ the leg injury limited snaps, Zimmer said: “No. That was just the plan going in.”
• Per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Vikings HC Mike Zimmer said RB Dalvin Cook should be able to play through his shoulder injury: “It feels good today.”