NFC North Notes: Bears, Packers, Vikings

Bears

Bears LBs coach Mark DeLeone praised second-year ILB Roquan Smith‘s speed, ability to see plays pre-snap, and understanding of formations. 

“I think there are guys that have a feel, a natural feel. Roquan’s definitely one of those guys,” DeLeone said, via JJ Stankevitz of NBC Sports. “He plays very fast. I think he’s unbelievable at seeing it pre-snap, understanding formations, understanding splits, mastering his technique and then playing fast after the ball is snapped.”

DeLeone added that Smith has been a “joy” to coach this offseason. 

“(If) he just keeps playing that way, we’re going to be in good shape,” DeLeone said. “He’s a really, really good player. I love watching him play, I love the energy he brings to practice every day. He’s just a joy to coach.”  

• Bears TE Trey Burton is not participating in OTA’s after undergoing surgery for a sports hernia that affected him at the end of last season, per Adam Jahns.

Packers

• Packers HC Matt LaFleur said Wednesday that second-round OL Elgton Jenkins‘ main focus to be moving to guard, even though he was viewed as one of the top center prospects in this year’s draft. (Ryan Wood)
• The Packers have had first-round pick Rashan Gary rushing from both outside linebacker and from the interior of their defensive line up to this point. (Rob Devmosky)

Vikings

Former NFL kicker Nate Kaeding is working with the Vikings as a part-time kicking consultant.

“Nate’s done it before,” special teams coordinator Marwan Maalouf said, via the Pioneer Press. “So that’s somebody that you can trust and that’s experience that you can’t find just with any coach. So we’ve been lucky. He’s local. It only takes him a few hours to get here. He’s with us a few days a week. Communicates consistency through emails and video.”