NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Packers, Vikings

Bears

• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says the Bears evaluated Andy Dalton, Cam Newton, Teddy Bridgewater, Case Keenum and Nick Foles at quarterback, settling on Foles because of his history with HC Matt Nagy. 
• Multiple sources said Chicago will hold an open competition for the starting job between Foles and incumbent Mitchell Trubisky, with Trubisky taking the first snaps whenever the Bears return to the field. 

Lions

At the end of the season, Lions ownership issued a de facto ultimatum to their team, including HC Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn. They made it clear they expect to make the playoffs in 2020. New LB Jamie Collins also has that expectation. The veteran says he signed in Detroit because he thinks the team is close and believes he’s one of the pieces that can make it happen for the Lions. 

“One play here, one play there,” Collins said via Tim Twentyman of the team’s website. “When you’re a player, you look at the game different than outsiders and fans. We break down the game and process the game and digest the game just different than the average person. It’s always one or two plays that’s the difference in the game and I just feel like me being a veteran now, I can bring some veteran, some professional little things to get us over the top, and I’m definitely up for the challenge.”

• According to Kyle Meinke and numerous others, the team says trade rumors surrounding Lions LB Jarrad Davis are, “100% False.“
• One NFL evaluator mentioned former Texans RB Carlos Hyde as a good fit for the Lions. (Jeremy Fowler)

Packers

• The Packers showed interest in Chiefs free-agent WR Demarcus Robinson before signing Devin Funchess, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
• The Packers were one of the teams interested in WR Emmanuel Sanders but the Saints fended them off. (Fowler)

Vikings

• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says the Vikings didn’t plan to trade WR Stefon Diggs and maintained his social media antics largely didn’t extend inside the building. However, another source said they were blown away by Buffalo’s offer: “He left them with no choice. The deal was too good to pass up.”
• The Vikings were involved with CB Nickell Robey-Coleman before he signed with the Eagles, presumably above their price point. (Darren Wolfson)
• Vikings WR Tajae Sharpe‘s one-year, $1 million deal includes an $825,000 base salary with $500,000 guaranteed and a $175,000 signing bonus. He also has up to $500,000 in playing time-based incentives. (Ben Goessling)