Bears
Bears QB Andy Dalton said the team drafting QB Justin Fields didn’t impact how he will approach the season, as he was already informed by the team it was a possibility they would draft another quarterback.
“I knew the situation I was going into regardless of whether they drafted somebody or if they didn’t,” Dalton said via the Athletic’s Adam Jahns. “I was on a one-year deal and I was going to be the starter. So my mindset didn’t have to change. I already knew I was going to do everything I can to be the best player I can for this team and to help us win a lot of football games. And that’s been my goal from the very beginning. And so whatever happens after this year happens. But my mindset didn’t change just because they drafted Justin.”
Dalton is also already giving Fields the benefit of his 11 years of experience in the NFL and trying to help him transition to the league.
“Right now for him, it’s all new, first time getting in an NFL offense,” Dalton said. “I’m trying to give him advice on certain things, how I would view certain plays, what I’d do with my eyes on certain things, different things that come with experience. Obviously, I’m going into Year 11. I’ve had a lot of ball. For me, I’m just trying to help him out a much as I can.”
Lions
- Lions HC Dan Campbell confirmed the organization’s interest in free-agent RB Todd Gurley: “We have interest in Todd, we do. And we’re talking with his agent.” (Field Yates)
- Campbell added that he’d like to get a deal done “sooner than later.”
- As for how Gurley’s potential signing impacts Lions RBs D’Andre Swift or Jamaal Williams, Cambell said it “doesn’t affect their feelings” about either player on the roster. (Eric Woodyard)
- Campbell expects Lions OT Tyrell Crosby to attend next week’s mandatory minicamp. (Dave Birkett)
- Birkett points out that Crosby is still awaiting a potential trade after the organization selected first-round OT Penei Sewell.
- Regarding the Lions’ defense, Campbell said he does not put an emphasis on size for his linebackers and likes mobility out of the position: “We do not put an emphasis on size. ‘How big can you be?’ — that’s not what we want.” (Chris Burke)
- Lions’ new OC Anthony Lynn said they plan on going with the hot hand at running back throughout next season: “If you go in the game and you’re ballin’, you’re gonna stay in there.” (Chris Burke)
- Lions’ assistant HC Duce Staley also acknowledged their interest in Gurley and believes the veteran running back can help their offense: “We’re looking at anybody that can help the Lions and Todd Gurley can definitely help the Lions.” (Dave Birkett)
- As for Lions’ new QB Jared Goff, Campbell said that the quarterback has wowed him with some passes in practice: “He made about five throws (yesterday) that were just, wow.” (Dave Birkett)
Packers
Packers RB AJ Dillon won’t have the backfield to himself after Green Bay re-signed RB Aaron Jones this offseason. But Dillon is still in line for a bigger role replacing the departed Jamaal Williams and the two have the look of a classic rushing tandem with the smaller, speedier Jones and the bruising Dillon. The second-year back says not to pigeonhole either of them, though.
“I think we can be the best running back tandem in the NFL,” Dillon said via the Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. “You look at us and you see thunder and lightning, which absolutely we are, but the lightning guy, Aaron, he can also grind out some yards, and the thunder guy, myself, I’d like to say I can still beat some guys running away from them. So I feel like we both definitely have our strengths, but we bring two bags, and the entire running back room is capable of guys that can do it all. That’s just the standard in the running back room. That’s what coach (Ben) Sirmans preached, being able to do it all, being able to find a role on the team. So I feel like we definitely embody that.”
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