NFC Notes: Bears, Lions, Packers, Vikings

Bears

Bears’ HC Matt Nagy knows his team can still make the playoffs and says that the fact that he is potentially on the hot seat is no surprise to him.

“I would say this—that comes with the territory,” Nagy said, via Albert Breer of SI. “Like you said, when you sign up for this job, you’re always going to have that. And when you go through a six-game losing streak, you’re always going to have that. But in those times, what happens is you realize who the people are that are truly with you. And the ones that really aren’t. Then what you’ve got to do as a leader is you’ve got to make sure that at all times, your people that are a part of this thing, they totally believe and trust in everything that you’re saying. And you’ve got to have an action plan. When you go through a six-game losing streak, it’s about communicating with others on where we’re at and to keep fighting, because sometimes the message can get stale and monotonous after every loss. But you have to find ways and devise ways to keep the team motivated. And keep them playing. And it’s not easy. Especially in these times. But then that goes back to talking about culture. And you talk about, well, the culture’s great but if you’re not winning it doesn’t matter. Well, you know when culture matters? Culture matters when you’re losing. When you’re losing and you’ve got a sh—- culture, you’ve got no shot. When you have a good culture, you’ve got every shot in the world. Now you’re seeing it.”

Lions

• The Athletic’s Chris Burke writes Lions DE Romeo Okwara should be a priority for Detroit to figure out a way to re-sign. Okwara has eight sacks and the 25-year-old is also among the league leaders in pressures. 
• Burke also thinks there’s a chance Lions WR Mohamed Sanu could return to compete for a depth role in 2021 given how bare their depth chart is currently projected to be. 
• Lions interim HC Darrell Bevell tacitly acknowledged ST coordinator Brayden Coombs was fired for going rogue on his fake punt call and not clearing it with him: “There are some things I think you can do and I feel like come back from. Then there’s some decisions … you don’t make those decisions, and there’s gotta be repercussions.” (Burke)
• As to other reports about Coombs being too me-first and not a good culture fit, Bevell declined to comment: “I think I’m just gonna leave it at that moment and not get into all the behind-the-things stuff. I don’t want it to turn into this big thing. It was a decision I thought was best for the team and we’re going to continue to move forward.”
• Lions C Frank Ragnow has an appointment with a specialist Thursday concerning his throat injury that will determine his availability Saturday. (Tim Twentyman)
• Lions QB Matthew Stafford (ribs) will approach this week the same way as last. Asked about shutting Stafford down for the year now that Detroit is eliminated, Bevell said it probably wouldn’t happen: “To be honest with you, I don’t think he’ll let that happen.” (Dave Birkett)
• Lions TE T.J. Hockenson said his severe leg injury last year included a break in his leg and torn ligaments in his ankle. (Kyle Meinke)

Packers

• Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald lists the Packers as one of the five teams with the most sunk costs and least financial flexibility in 2021. 
• Packers’ WR Davante Adams will see his 2021 base salary increase by $250,000 to a total of $12.25 million due to his Pro Bowl selection. (Joel Corry)
• Packers’ LB Za’Darius Smith will also see his 2021 base salary increase by $250,000 to a total of $9.75 million due to his Pro Bowl selection. (Corry)

Vikings

• Per SI.com’s Will Ragatz, Vikings first-round WR Justin Jefferson said his cursing at QB Kirk Cousins that was caught on a hot mic Sunday was blown out of proportion: “Kirk’s my guy. Everybody knows Kirk’s my guy. It’s just the emotions involved, frustrated during the play, but it had nothing to do with me and Kirk.”