NFC Notes: Bears, Lions, Vikings

Bears

• According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the Bears plan for QB Nick Foles to be the starting quarterback for the rest of the season barring something unforeseen. 
• That means QB Mitchell Trubisky, benched last week, will likely leave as an unrestricted free agent this offseason. 
• Bears HC Matt Nagy said the team signed QB Tyler Bray to the active roster to be an extra voice on the sideline for Foles. (Adam Jahns)

Lions

The momentary reprieve from last week’s win didn’t last long, as once again Lions HC Matt Patricia found himself answering questions about his job security after a 35-29 loss to the Saints dropped Detroit to 1-3. It’s not just the losses, it’s the way the Lions have lost, surrendering double-digit leads in every single defeat. It’s also the apparent step back as a franchise, as after hitting at least nine wins in three of previous HC Jim Caldwell‘s four seasons, Detroit has won 10 games in Patricia’s three years on the job, though Patricia had a different view of the situation he inherited when asked why the fans should have confidence in him. 

“That’s a hard question,” Patricia said via Brad Galli of WXYZ. “We just lost to the Saints. Let’s just give them credit for this game, they played extremely well and I know we got a lot of work to do. I think when I came to Detroit, there was a lot of work to do and that’s what we’re trying to do. But, talking about this year, we’re talking about right now, these first four games and obviously today wasn’t good enough.”

• The Lions sent two scouts to watch North Dakota State against Central Arkansas. NDSU has two potential high draft picks in QB Trey Lance and OT Dillon Radunz. 20 teams in total were present. (Pete Thamel)

Vikings

After exploding for 175 yards receiving last week, Vikings first-round WR Justin Jefferson went over the 100-yard mark again in Week 4. After a slow start to training camp, Jefferson actually has more receiving yards through four games than any other rookie in the last 10 years aside from former Viking Stefon Diggs, per the Athletic’s Arif Hasan. Jefferson says there’s a lot more to come. 

“We didn’t have a preseason or anything before this,” Jefferson said via Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. “You could say this is my preseason. I’m just getting started.”

• Vikings HC Mike Zimmer said the Vikings had a false positive test for one of their starters this morning and three inconclusive tests on Sunday. Zimmer added this is why they got their inactive list in about 10 minutes late. (Ben Goessling)
• The Vikings sent two scouts to watch North Dakota State against Central Arkansas. NDSU has two potential high draft picks in QB Trey Lance and OT Dillon Radunz. 20 teams in total were present. (Pete Thamel)
• Despite being ejected in Week 4 due to a helmet-to-helmet hit, Vikings S Harrison Smith is not expected to be suspended. (Tom Pelissero)