NFC North Notes: Lions, Packers, Vikings

Lions

Lions GM Bob Quinn reiterated that they are not interested in trading Matthew Stafford. 

“He’s our quarterback. All those rumors, I’m not sure exactly where they came from, but they were, like I said before, 100 percent false,” Quinn said, via Tori Petry of the Lions’ website.

Quinn said the Lions would be “open to any trades” with their No. 3 overall pick, but they have not had any negotiations up to this point. 

“The higher you are up in the draft, really the sooner the conversations begin,” Quinn said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “I have not had any trade conversations with anybody as of yet. Those usually tend to start in the combine in the hallway that we kind of roll through and we’ll see how that goes.”

Packers

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst believes this is a “deeper” quarterback class in the 2020 NFL Draft and isn’t ruling out selecting one with their No. 30 overall pick. 

“Everything I’ve been taught, that’s where you start. You start with the quarterback. So you evaluate them every year, and I think it’s always on the table. It’s a good crop this year,” said Gutekunst, via Ryan Wood.

Gutekunst praised Packers WR Allen Lazard‘s performance in his first year as a starter. 

“Allen did the things you need to do at the right times, third downs, big games. Not everybody is built for that, and I thought he did a really good job at the end of the year,” said Gutekunst, via Wood.

Gutekunst said he initially considered Lazard a tight end.

“I think what he’s proven over the past year is that he’s a pretty valuable receiver, so I wouldn’t expect him to move,” said Gutekunst, per Wood.

Gutekunst believes Packers TE Jace Sternberger can develop as a “dynamic”  playmaker going forward. 

“I think Jace in time has a chance to be the kind of guy that can be a mismatch for us. He has some dynamic ability,” said Gutekunst, via Wood.

Gutekunst commented that he will decide on the future of TE Jimmy Graham after free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft. 

“After we get through free-agency meetings, after we get through draft meetings and then we get back from the combine, the picture starts to get a little clearer. And certainly with the CBA thing in flux, that’ll help, too. So I’m going to be patient there and get to the other side of the combine before we start making any decisions,” said Gutekunst, via Rob Demovsky of ESPN. 

Vikings

• The Vikings announced the additions of Roy Anderson and Imarjaye Albury to their coaching staff. Anderson will be an assistant defensive backs coach, and Albury an assistant defensive line coach.