NFC North Notes: Lions, Packers, Vikings

Lions

• Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press writes that Lions’ first-round TE T.J. Hockenson made a “strong first impression” during OTAs this week. 
• Birkett points out that Lions LB Christian Jones remains a starter despite the team drafting second-round LB Jahlani Tavai. 
• Regarding the Lions’ cornerback rotation, Birkett says Darius Slay, Justin Coleman, and Rashaan Melvin are the “top three“, while fifth-round Amani Oruwariye is a “good bet” for a role.
• Birkett expects Lions CB Teez Tabor to compete for the No. 5 job, with CBs Michael Ford and Jamal Agnew being “worth keeping around” as slot corners or return specialists.
• The Lions appear to be moving Frank Ragnow to center and Graham Glasgow to right guard, per Dave Birkett. 
• Lions CB Darius Slay and DT Damon Harrison are not attending OTA’s as they each seek new deals. (Tim Twentyman)

Packers 

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers said the team’s offense will be different under new HC Matt LaFleur and believes he can “infuse” his creativity and “put my stamp” on the offense. 

“I’ve got to be honest, I don’t know the whole offense yet,” Rodgers said, via Rob Demovsky of ESPN. “I’ve been studying it but the difference between understanding it on paper and actually getting reps in it — the minicamp, those two days, and then the two days [of OTAs] that we’ve had so far is not a great sample size to tell you everything about the offense. It’s going to be different. It’s going to look different formationally and the motions and some of the things that we’re doing. But I think it’s an offense that I can infuse creativity and put my stamp on.”

Rodgers mentioned that he would like to have a complete understanding of LaFleur’s playbook by the end of minicamp. 

“I think it’s probably a lot quicker learning curve having played 11 seasons as the starter,” Rodgers said. “But kind of personally I’d like to feel really good about it by the end of minicamp leaving here in June and feel good coming back in training camp and being able to spit plays out formationally with motions and concepts quickly and understand all the checks and intricacies of the offense. That’s kind of the expectation.”

Vikings

Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph confirmed there’s a five-year extension offer from the Vikings on the table, per Chris Tomasson.

“The Vikings, my agent, they’re working extremely hard to get something done,” Rudolph said via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. “And with that being said, there’s plenty of other teams that are interested as well. The clarity for me is that I get to come out here every day and work with my teammates and have fun at OTAs”

Vikings HC Mike Zimmer said he was optimistic things would be resolved with Rudolph, and the tight end agreed, saying he plans to have his situation resolved by training camp, per Tomasson. Rudolph never planned on missing OTA’s and took a 6 am flight to make it in time. 

“It’s not a bad situation to be in,” Rudolph said via Cronin. “A bad situation would have been getting cut back in March and trying to find a job. I have a job. So that’s the good thing. I get to come out here each and every day and practice with my teammates and whatever happens, happens.”

• Vikings WR Stefon Diggs was the only player not in attendance for voluntary OTA’s. (Cronin)
• Zimmer said he was not concerned by Diggs’ absence. (Tomasson)
• First-round pick Garrett Bradbury started at center, kicking Pat Elflein to left guard. (Cronin)
• With Diggs gone, WR Jordan Taylor worked with the first team. WR Laquon Treadwell was with the second team. (Tomasson)
• Vikings DT Linval Joseph is sitting out OTA’s as he recovers from surgery, adding that he feels “good.” (Andrew Krammer)