NFC Notes: Bears, Packers, Seahawks

Bears

The Bears took an aggressive approach this offseason after dramatically underperforming in 2019. One of the holes they identified was the edge-rushing spot across from star Khalil Mack, so they threw a five-year, $70 million deal on the table to bring in DE Robert Quinn. The 30-year-old veteran had 11.5 sacks for the Cowboys last year and he’s looking to help add a few more teeth to an already fearsome Chicago defense. 

“They already have the talent there,” Quinn said via NBC Sports’ Bryan Perez. “I’m just trying to bring the icing on the cake. I believe in my talents. I know what I bring to the table and again I know what they had there already. I think with that formula, we can do something special this year.”

Packers

• Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap explains that the Packers’ decision to fully guarantee first-round QB Jordan Love‘s contract really isn’t a big deal, considering that the No. 24 overall pick last year got a fully guaranteed rookie contract. 
• Fitzgerald adds that the Packers and Love would have been haggling over 1.6 percent of his contract being non-guaranteed.

Seahawks

One of the most important players for the Seahawks on defense in 2020 isn’t LB Bobby Wagner, CB Shaquil Griffin or even free-agent DE Jadeveon Clowney. It’s 2019 second-round S Marquise Blair, who saw the field for just 219 snaps as a rookie. Blair will be given the chance to compete for a role as the team’s nickel defender, which was a major problem spot last year. Seattle stayed in its base defense even when opponents spread the field because its nickel defense was so bad. If Blair can lock up the job, it could go a long way toward improving the performance of the entire defense. 

“Yes, as a matter of fact, he’s a guy we’re very interested in finding a role for,” Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said via ESPN’s Brady Henderson. “We’ve already mapped that out. He’s got some real special talents that we want to find a spot for him … to go along and complement the safety play that he’s going to play. In the nickel package, he is going to get a lot of consideration to contribute in some additional ways because he’s unique and got some special stuff.”