NFC Notes: Bears, Lions, Packers, Vikings

Bears

Bears WR Allen Robinson‘s lack of a contract extension became a public point of contention with the team earlier this season. Since then, though, Robinson vowed to keep the conversation focused on his play on the field and he’s maintained that even through Chicago’s six-game skid and the looming offseason. 

“For me, it’s not about that,” Robinson said via Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune. “It’s about me continuing to try to get better each and every week, honestly, and be the receiver I want to be. I want to finish strong no matter what the circumstances are — contract or no contract. … I feel like I’ve been able to put together a couple decent years, and I want to finish this as strong as I can. That’s the No. 1 focus and No. 1 thing on my mind.”

• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano say the league is eyeing the Bears for a potential total house cleaning, with HC Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace on the outs, which could also mean a complete roster reset in 2021. 
• There’s not much movement between the Bears and Northwestern HC Pat Fitzgerald right now, according to Fowler and Graziano. 

Lions

• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano write that Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp is re-evaluating the entire structure of the football operations department and is looking to overhaul the team’s culture. 
• They add 49ers DC Robert Saleh and VP of player personnel Adam Peters could be strong candidates as the head coach/general manager combo for the Lions. 
• Fowler and Graziano also note the future of Lions QB Matthew Stafford is a hot topic inside the team building and there’s a feeling Stafford might not want to go through another rebuild. 
• Lions interim HC Darrell Bevell offered an update on WR Kenny Golladay, though it didn’t include a timeline on when he might return from his hip injury: “Kenny’s progressing. There’s a lot of working on the side. … He’s doing everything he can to get back. Just as far as the timeframe, I can’t give you enough information on that.” (Chris Burke)
• Lions RB Adrian Peterson said he wants to play until he’s 40 in pursuit of a championship first, rushing records secondary. He added he probably could play longer but 40 seems like a good age to stop. (Dave Birkett)

Packers

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers gushed about WR Davante Adams, who’s having a phenomenal season. He’s averaging over 100 yards per game and has 13 touchdowns in just 10 games so far in 2020. 

“He is a phenomenal player. He is as good as they come. I wouldn’t want to throw to anybody else,” Rodgers said via Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal. “I have so much love and respect for him as a person — how he carries himself, his demeanor, his competitiveness, his focus, the plays that he makes on the field, the way that he communicates with me, the respect that he shows me, the respect that he earns from myself and our team every single day. He is one of a kind. Very unique player, unique person, and I am so thankful to have him on our squad. I have his back 100 percent in everything that he does and says. He’s a man of his word, he’s a man of high integrity and high class. And I’m better because of him — as a person and as a quarterback.”

• Packers C Corey Linsley is hopeful of making it back this season from his knee injury: “We’re optimistic. Gonna keep working on it and hope for the best.” (Matt Schneidman)

Vikings

• According to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, Vikings OT Riley Reiff is on pace to earn all of his potential $2 million in playing-time incentives. Reiff has played 100 percent of the snaps so far and receives $1 million for playing 86 percent and $2 million for playing 93.75 percent. 
• Despite getting 38 touches Sunday, Vikings RB Dalvin Cook said his body is in good shape: “I feel great, to be honest. I’m not pulling your coattails or nothing. I feel good.” (Chad Graff)
• The Vikings are bringing in RB Khalfani Muhammad for a workout this week. (Aaron Wilson)