NFC Notes: Bears, Lions, Packers, Vikings

Bears

  • The Athleticโ€™s Adam Jahns writes that whoever is in charge of the Bears next season, whether itโ€™s GM Ryan Pace with a new head coach or a completely new regime, has a long list to address and build around first-round QB Justin Fields.
  • Jahns says the Bears need to make sure the offensive line is rock solid to allow Fields time to make plays down the field with his arm. Chicago also needs to invest in more playmakers at wide receiver with Darnell Mooney the only threat under contract beyond this season. 
  • The defense also needs attention, per Jahns. Both OLBs Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn are under contract for 2022 but Chicago could stand to infuse some young talent there. 
  • Jahns adds Bears CB Kindle Vildor doesnโ€™t appear to be a long-term solution at No. 2 corner and the team needs to make an addition or two there.  
  • Bears HC Matt Nagy said RB Tarik Cohen is still working to return: โ€œBig picture is, yeah, would we have loved to have him back sooner? Yeah, but thatโ€™s not the case right now, and thatโ€™s OK. Heโ€™s working his tail off to get better.โ€ (Jahns)

Lions

  • Lions HC Dan Campbell said CB Jerry Jacobs will remain the starter even with third-round CB Ifeatu Melifonwu back from IR. (Dave Birkett)
  • Campbell doesnโ€™t expect RB Dโ€™Andre Swift to play this week as he deals with a shoulder injury: โ€œItโ€™s hard to see that youโ€™d see him playing. โ€ฆ Heโ€™s hurting a little bit.โ€ (Birkett)

Packers

  • Packers WR Davante Adams gave credit to the teamโ€™s front office for finding CB Rasul Douglas, who had a pick-six in Sundayโ€™s win against the Rams. (Tom Silverstein)
  • Douglas feels the team can be โ€œso much more dominantโ€ than what theyโ€™ve been: โ€œThe ceiling is so high, we have so much talent, we just got to put it together. Because we still havenโ€™t put together our best gameโ€ฆIt could get scary.โ€ (Ryan Wood)
  • Packers QB Aaron Rodgers said heโ€™s โ€œnot sureโ€ if heโ€™ll have toe surgery during the teamโ€™s bye week. Rodgers added heโ€™ll need to get more tests on Monday to determine a course of action. (Armando Salguero)
  • Packers HC Matt LaFleur said Rodgers isnโ€™t missing practices for no reason. The team is doing its best to manage Rodgersโ€™ toe injury: โ€œI think itโ€™s pretty evident. I donโ€™t know if you can see it or not, but he certainly was limping around a little bit, especially in the fourth quarter.โ€ (Wood)
  • Rodgers said the difference between his toe injury from last week to this week is the level of discomfort heโ€™s feeling. โ€œThe difference is I didnโ€™t have to get shot up at halftime.โ€ (Rob Demovsky)
  • It appears that Rodgers has elected not to have the procedure during the teamโ€™s bye this week. (Ian Rapoport)
  • LaFleur commented on the pecking order at running back between RB Aaron Jones and RB AJ Dillon: โ€œItโ€™s 1A, 1B. โ€ฆ They both bring something to the table.โ€ (Wood)
  • LaFleur noted that OLB Rashan Gary impacts the game on every single play: โ€œRashan Gary is a force on every play. Just how much energy he brings.โ€ (Wood)
  • Rodgers has the utmost faith in K Mason Crosby: โ€œIโ€™ve always said two of the best kickers Iโ€™ve seen over the years is Mason Crosby and Robbie Gould because of the conditions theyโ€™ve had to deal with over their careers.โ€ (Wood)
  • The NFL fined Packers DE Kingsley Keke $5,157 for roughing the passer last week. (Chris Tomasson)

Vikings

  • Vikings HC Mike Zimmer mentioned fourth-round RB Kene Nwangwu may end up getting more playing time with RB Dalvin Cook injured: โ€œI think thereโ€™s a chance he might get some more playing time (at running back).โ€ (Chris Tomasson)
  • Vikings LB Eric Kendricks said the plan was to limit the 49ersโ€™ rushing attack and they didnโ€™t get it done: โ€œIt was a physical gameโ€ฆWe knew their run game was very goodโ€ฆIt was about limiting it and we didnโ€™t.โ€ (Tomasson)
  • Vikings QB Kirk Cousins said that the team is close, but needs to convert in the redzone and eliminate turnovers. โ€œThe turnovers (hurt). I think it starts there. Weโ€™re so close. We just got to hit those plays down in the red zone. Weโ€™re right there. We just didnโ€™t make enough plays.โ€ (Tomasson)

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