NFC Notes: Bears, Lions, Packers

Bears

One of the key moves the Bears will be banking on this offseason to try and spark an offensive turnaround in 2020 is the addition of OL coach Juan Castillo.  Chicago decided it needed a new face and brought in Castillo to replace former OL coach Harry Hiestand after just two seasons. Castillo said the biggest defining trait he will bring to the room is work ethic. 

“I think what coach saw in me is that I’m an overachiever,” Castillo said via Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times. “I work hard. My parents are from Mexico. I’m the first generation [born in the U.S.], so I only know one way, and my thing with my players is, I try to lead by example. My guys are going to outwork everybody. And if they’re going to outwork everybody, then I have to do that.”

Chicago didn’t have much room to change personnel aside from adding G Germain Ifedi in free agency to replace the Kyle Long and spending a few late-round picks, so improving the play of holdovers like LT Charles Leno, RT Bobby Massie, G James Daniels and C Cody Whitehair will be Castillo’s top priority. 

“It’s about fundamentals, man,” Castillo said. “It’s about doing it over and over and over and over. . . . That’s what it’s all about. It’s not about plays. It’s about fundamentals. Because a lot of people teach the same thing, but it’s about coming across, so you can get the job done.”

Lions

Lions OC Darrell Bevell is excited for the tough, physical play that Detroit’s new additions will bring to their offensive line, which includes T Halapoulivaati Vaitai, and rookie guards Jonah Jackson and Logan Stenberg.

“When you look at those guys, with Jonah, and with Logan, those guys, I think they bring that mentality,” Bevell said, via LionsWire.com. “It’s a lunch-pail, so to speak, type of group. Guys that they kind of like to hurt. They like to hurt the opponent as well.”

Packers

Packers QB coach and passing game coordinator Luke Getsy believes training camp could be a big test for rookie quarterbacks Jordan Love and Jalen Morton, who have only seen videos of what they will be doing on the field.

“Yeah, it’s going to be a demanding training camp for (Love and undrafted rookie Jalen Morton) because they don’t even know exactly what the drill is that we’re going to do yet,” Getsy said, via Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated. “They’ve only seen a video of it. They don’t know what it feels like for any of that stuff. They haven’t had to say a cadence or say a play in the huddle with the team. I think all those firsts are what you really enjoy about rookie minicamps and OTAs, and then the veteran minicamp, getting around the vets and seeing and hearing how Davante Adams talks about a route or runs a route and what it’s supposed to look like, and watching Aaron Rodgers throw and watching his rhythm and his feet. I just think there’s a lot of value in all that, in seeing that, that those guys are going to miss.”