NFC Notes: Bears, Packers, Vikings

Bears

As a rookie, Bears RB David Montgomery was one of the most inefficient runners in the NFL last season. While Chicago’s offensive line struggled, Montgomery also bore a good amount of the blame for his 3.7 yards per carry mark. Going into 2020, the former third-round pick focused on improving his eating habits and dropped five pounds, which he expects to have a positive impact on his game. 

“I was a lot slower than I know I was capable of moving at and it affected the game,” Montgomery said via Nathan Smith of the team website. “I kind of let myself get in the way of myself as far as what I ate last year. I didn’t really care. I was a rookie. I was just eating whatever, but now it’s definitely a main focal point in my everyday life. It’s just being sure I put the right things in my body so it can carry over to the field.”

• The Athletic’s Adam Jahns says Bears second-round TE Cole Kmet looks like he’s ahead of where former Bears second-round TE Adam Shaheen was at the same time as a rookie. 
• At quarterback, the Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain says he thinks a tie between Nick Foles and Mitchell Trubisky would be broken in favor of Foles by the coaching staff. However, Jahns notes Foles hasn’t had a day at camp where he looks like he could be the starter. 
• The two note Trubisky still doesn’t have any interceptions which was a problem for him in training camp last year. 
• For now, Fishbain expects Bears CB Buster Skrine to play outside as the No. 2 corner and move into the slot in nickel with CB Kevin Toliver coming in. 
• Jahns pegs Bears S Tashaun Gipson as the eventual winner of the competition to start at strong safety against Deon Bush. 

Packers

• The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman notes Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has continued to look like his normal self in practice, particularly over the weekend.
• Conversely, Schneidman says first-round QB Jordan Love has looked like a project in need of serious development, as advertised, and there’s zero quarterback controversy in Green Bay right now.  
• Packers DL Kingsley Keke could be playing himself into a starting job, per Schneidman.
• While Packers CB Chandon Sullivan appears to be the frontrunner to start at nickel corner, Schneidman says former second-round CB Josh Jackson has also had his moments and UDFA CB Stanford Samuels has also been impressive. 
• Packers DC Mike Pettine mentioned seventh-round OLB Jonathan Garvin as the potential fourth and final edge rusher on the roster. 
• Schneidman also highlighted fifth-round LB Kamal Martin as a rookie who could potentially start, as Green Bay has an opening at inside linebacker. 
• Packers HC Matt LaFleur said OT Rick Wagner‘s injury doesn’t end the competition at right tackle: “It makes it more difficult on us in terms of when exactly he will be back and full speed. We’re still competing.” (Rob Demovsky)

Vikings

• The Athletic’s Arif Hasan notes Vikings OL Aviante Collins is still rotating in with the first team at left guard. Veteran G Dakota Dozier has been expected to get the starting nod there. 
• Hasan adds Collins pushed second-round OL Ezra Cleveland to the third team which could indicate Minnesota doesn’t see Cleveland as a factor in the starting competition for now. 
• Vikings worked out LB Bryce Hager and LB David Reese. (Mike Jones)