NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Packers, Vikings

Bears

• Jeff Dickerson of ESPN takes a look at some potential quarterback options for the Bears to consider this offseason and rates them in terms of most likely to least likely options.
• Dickerson has them rated as: 1) Bengals QB Andy Dalton, 2) Redskins QB Case Keenum, 3) Titans QB Marcus Mariota, 4) Saints QB Teddy Bridgewater, 5) Redskins QB Alex Smith, and 6) Patriots QB Tom Brady.
• According to CBS Sports Jason La Canfora, a well-connected NFL source expects the Bears to trade for Dalton given the connection with OC Bill Lazor. 
• Jaguars QB Nick Foles is also a trade option given his familiarity with Bears HC Matt Nagy. 

Lions

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer mentions Patriots LB Jamie Collins and S Devin McCourty as potential free agent fits for the Lions given their familiarity with HC Matt Patricia.

Packers

• According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, the Packers hired former University of Miami OL coach Butch Barry as a senior assistant.  
• Barry previously worked at Central Michigan and with the Buccaneers before joining Miami. 

Vikings

• According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, Vikings RB Dalvin Cook‘s deal will likely fall somewhere between the top of the running back market ($13-$15 million per year) and the second tier of $8-$10 million. 
• Cronin points out the Vikings have built their offense around Cook and the running game, giving him more importance than some backs on other teams. 
• However, longevity is a concern with major running back deals. While Cook is just 24, he has not played a full 16-game season in his career to this point, with a torn ACL, hamstring and shoulder injuries limiting him each of the past three seasons. 
• Cronin says the team will start looking more seriously at a new deal for Cook following the draft in April. 
• Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune thinks the Vikings will be able to find room to sign DE Stephen Weatherly to a multi-year extension.