NFC North Notes: Lions, Packers, Vikings

Lions

Lions DT Damon Harrison said following the conclusion of the 2019 season that, given the number of injuries he needed to address, he was seriously considering retirement. Lions HC Matt Patricia said he has yet to speak with the veteran lineman about whether he’ll return for the 2020 season. 

“At the end of the season, I tell all the players, coaches, everybody that’s involved, I just think everyone needs to let the emotion of the season calm down,” Patricia said via Justin Rogers. “Again, it seems crazy, but it’s only January. We’re not even into February yet. All that stuff will take care of itself. We’ll handle all that like we normally do, in-house and private conversations between everybody that’s involved.”

• Omar Kelly reports the Lions are “very in play” to select a quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft given QB Matthew Stafford‘s health concerns. 
• Harrison has not made a decision about his playing status for 2020 and it will likely be another couple of weeks. (Kyle Meinke)
• Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus lists Patriots LB Kyle Van Noy as a potential free-agent target for the Lions. 
• Patricia told reporters it was “way too early” for Detroit to start discussing trading the No. 3 pick. (Dave Birkett) 

Packers

• Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus lists Bengals WR A.J. Green as a potential free-agent target for the Packers. 
• Packers HC Matt LaFleur said he still believes QB Aaron Rodgers is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL and the length of his career will just come down to how long his body holds up. (Tom Silverstein)
• He added the team hasn’t ruled out taking a quarterback in the draft this year if the opportunity presents itself, saying you can’t have too many young, talented quarterbacks. (Silverstein)
• LaFleur mentioned Packers LB Rashan Gary won’t need surgery this offseason. He also didn’t think S Adrian Amos (pec) would need surgery, though he was less sure about that. (Jim Owczarski)

Vikings

Vikings RB Dalvin Cook established himself as one of the best running backs in the league this past year and even garnered some MVP buzz before a shoulder injury threw a wrench in his season. 2020 will be the final year of Cook’s rookie contract and he’s clear he would like to stay in Minnesota with his next deal. 

“I love the organization. They took a chance on me in bringing me in,” Cook said via NFL Media’s Nick Shook. “If a person believes in me, I’ll give them my all. I try to do everything, give them my all and I’m just happy that I’m at the Vikings. It’s a great organization. I think everything we’ve got going on is for the future.”

• Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus lists 49ers CB Jason Verrett as a potential free-agent target for the Vikings.