NFC Notes: Bears, Packers, Vikings

Bears

• Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic believes that while the Bears will keep RB Ryan Nall on the roster as their third running back, they should also give backfield snaps to WR Cordarrelle Patterson.
• Fishbain also believes Bears WRs Ted Ginn, Riley Ridley, and fifth-round rookie Darnell Mooney will beat out Javon Wims.
• At the outside linebacker spot, Fishbain mentions LB Barkevious Mingo could contribute while fifth-round LB Trevis Gipson adjusts to the NFL game.
• He also believes UDFA LB Ledarius Mack is a prime candidate to make the Bears’ practice squad.
• Adam Jahns notes the Bears would love for second-round CB Jaylon Johnson to be healthy and become an instant starter across from CB Kyle Fuller.

Packers

When the Packers traded up to draft QB Jordan Love in the first round this past April, QB Aaron Rodgers acknowledged he was “definitely surprised.” The veteran had been tracking some of the receivers who were still on the board, but when he got the news of the pick, he says he went and poured himself an extra drink. Like the rest of the football world, he saw Love as his eventual replacement. 

“I think that’s probably what happens,” Rodgers said in an interview with Kyle Brandt for the Ringer. “Based on just the circumstances around everything. Just look at the facts. They traded up. They drafted him. I would say the like him, they want to play him.”

While Rodgers admitted he’s disappointed at probably not being able to finish his career in Green Bay, he says he’s not bitter. 

“Was I bummed out? Of course, who wouldn’t be?” Rodgers said. “I want to play my entire career in Green Bay. I love the city, I grew up there. Really, I got there when I was 21, and I’m 36 now; a lot changes during that time. But I get it. I see it completely clearly. I’m not bitter about it. It kind of is what it is.”

• Per the Athletic’s Mike Sando, Rodgers has slipped some in the perception of NFL evaluators, though most still consider him a Tier 1 quarterback with a subpar supporting cast. 

Vikings

• Per ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, Vikings RB Dalvin Cook showed up on Tuesday morning to get a COVID-19 test, thus reporting to camp on time.  
• Vikings DT Michael Pierce elaborated more on his decision to opt-out of the 2020 season under the NFL’s high-risk categorization: “If I was a normal human being with a normal functioning respiratory system, I’d be out there without a thought. It’s an unfortunate situation but it’s something I’ve been battling and I’ve got to deal with the rest of my life.” (Chris Tomasson)