NFC North Notes: Bears, Packers, Vikings

Bears

While it’s early, Bears HC Matt Nagy has been impressed by sixth-round CB Duke Shelley.

“Duke’s a confident kid,” Nagy said via the Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain. “He’s twitchy, he’s always going to be scrappy and be around you so, and I think he’s learning from a great player in Buster (Skrine), they’re very similar. But when those pads come on that’s when it’s really real and that’s when you’ve got to stick your nose in there and make a few tackles so yes, and no. But I think when the pads get on, will be the true tell.”

Packers

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has been trying to stay on script during practice as he learns HC Matt LaFleur‘s new offense. While Rodgers’ goal in practice is “to trust the progressions and my eyes and learn timing on different things,” once the games start the mission changes. 

“I was teasing them about how every coach always says, ‘No, no, no. Oh, good play,’” Rodgers said via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. “It’s always a ‘No’ until, it’s ‘Oh yeah, good play.’ I said, ‘There’s going to be a couple of those, trust me. But they usually work out pretty good.’”

For his part, LaFleur understands and is willing to embrace that part, as it comes with coaching one of the best quarterbacks ever. 

“He’s played the game with a certain style for his whole career, and he’s done it at a pretty high level,” LaFleur said. “I think just some of the things that he’s been able to really enhance within our offense has been a lot of fun to watch. You saw that off-schedule play that he made down in the red zone. He made another one to Jake Kumerow where I didn’t anticipate the ball going where it went, but that’s where it went and it was a touchdown. We never want to take that playmaker away from him.”

• The Packers promoted Richmond Williams from Pro Scout to Director of Pro Personnel and Brett Thiesen to full-time college scout after coming through their internship program. (Michael Cohen)

Vikings

• Per ESPN’s Field Yates, Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph‘s extension includes a $7.25 million signing bonus and dropped his base salary in 2019 to $1.75 million. The deal creates $4.175 million in cap space for Minnesota.
• Vikings OC Kevin Stefanski says WR Chad Beebe is “making a name for himself” as a potential No. 3 wide receiver and punt returner: “I will give the kid credit, he comes out here and he works.” (Andrew Krammer)
• Vikings CB Trae Waynes says he’s focusing on his play on the field, leaving any discussions about contracts or a potential extension to his agent, Brian Murphy: “That’s his job. I’m going to do mine on the field.” (Tomasson)