NFC Notes: Bears, Lions, Vikings

Bears

• ESPN’s Adam Schefter says some NFL executives believe Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky has made a strong case for Chicago to re-sign him despite declining his fifth-year option and benching him earlier this year. 
• Since re-entering the starting lineup, Trubisky has led the Bears to a 2-2 record while completing 68 percent of his passes for eight touchdowns and three interceptions, causing some in the organization to wonder what would have happened if he hadn’t been benched. 
• The Bears control their own playoff destiny if they win out and that would only enhance Trubisky’s odds of a return, per Schefter. 
• According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the sense around the league is that Bears HC Matt Nagy is well-positioned to keep his job in 2021, as a win against the Jaguars would give him at least eight in each of his first three seasons. 

Lions

• According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Lions QB Matthew Stafford left Saturday’s loss to the Buccaneers with a sprained ankle.
• The injury isn’t believed to be major but given the circumstances, Rapoport says there’s a good chance Detroit shuts Stafford down for the season. 

Vikings

• Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press talked to Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald, who estimates a new deal for Vikings LB Eric Wilson would cost in the range of $9-$10 million a year. 
• Tomasson thinks Minnesota will have to choose between extending Wilson or keeping LB Anthony Barr in 2021. 
• The Athletic’s Chad Graff writes the biggest issue for the Vikings to solve in 2021 is the situation with DE Danielle Hunter. The talented pass rusher has missed the entire year with a neck injury but has requested a new deal that makes him the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player or a trade. 
• Graff says the Vikings are unlikely to bring back S Anthony Harris, who was somewhat surprisingly franchise-tagged this past offseason, especially after Friday’s poor performance.
• He adds veteran S Harrison Smith is in the final year of his deal and a prime candidate for a short extension to save cap space given he has no money guaranteed on his deal. 
• Graff also highlights the offensive line as an area that needs improvement, with LT Riley Reiff a potential cap casualty even though there’s not a clear replacement.