NFC North Notes: Lions, Packers, Vikings

Lions

• Lions DE Trey Flowers had his $14.375 million 2021 base salary become fully guaranteed Friday. (Joel Corry)
• Lions DT Danny Shelton‘s two-year, $8 million deal includes a $2.5 million signing bonus and base salaries of $1.5 million guaranteed and $4 million. (Aaron Wilson)
• John Clark of NBC Sports reports that new Eagles S Will Parks turned down more money from Vikings and Lions to play for Philadelphia. 

Packers

New Packers LB Christian Kirksey said he elected to sign with Green Bay over the Raiders and Bills due to their “winning presence” that reminded him of his college program, the University of Iowa. 

“Honestly, when I took my visit to Oakland, their coaching staff was great. I met a couple guys in the building. They were great people there. Did the same for the Bills. But it was just different when I walked in Green Bay. I just felt like a winning presence. I went to the University of Iowa and it kind of reminded me of that, like the atmosphere. The town had similarities, and also Mike Pettine. I had a great relationship with him. Just seeing how he coached then, he drafted me. It just felt at home. It felt like it was the right decision. Sometimes you can’t stray away from your gut feeling. That’s what I went with was my gut feeling and also just a winning organization. The culture there, I wanted to be a part of,” said Kirksey, via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.

Kirksey said he appreciates that DC Mike Pettine, who previously coached him in Cleveland, finds ways to put his players in position to succeed. 

“Well, first of all, he was a part of giving me the opportunity to play in the league. I like the way his defense is set up. He knows a lot about football. I love a smart coach, a guy that can see your talents and help put you in the best position to succeed, and I think that’s what he does. Especially being the defensive coordinator, he knows his players’ strengths. I think that’s something that’s good with him is that he doesn’t just put players into positions and ask them to do the same thing. He kind of looks at his player, evaluates his player and puts his player in the best position. That’s what I really like about Mike.”

Kirksey feels he brings “great leadership” to the Packers on and off the field. 

“Well, first off, you’re gonna get a guy that’s gonna give his 110 percent each and every play, each and every day. A guy that has great leadership, ability to go out there and be the best player he can be and show by example and also show in the classroom and also show off the field. I think that Green Bay’s gonna love me there. I think they’re gonna love my energy. I just love to have fun and play football, and that’s what I’m bringing to the city and the team.”

Vikings

Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune notes the following Vikings players had base salary guarantees trigger on Friday:

• DE Danielle Hunter ($10.4M)
• LB Anthony Barr ($10M)
• LB Eric Kendricks ($7.1M)
• WR Adam Thielen ($4.8M base guaranteed and $5M roster bonus)
• DT Shamar Stephen ($1.1M)