NFC Notes: Bears, Packers, Vikings

Bears

• Ben Volin of the Boston Globe thinks the Bears will be more affected by the unique challenges of the 2020 season because of the quarterback competition. 
• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes the Bears coaching staff will continue working remotely for now until there is further notice. 

Packers

Packers QB Jordan Love is understandably seen as the heir-apparent to QB Aaron Rodgers after Green Bay took him in the first round, much the same way Rodgers was seen as the heir to Brett Favre when he was drafted in the first. Many see it as a foregone conclusion that it’s just a matter of time before Love pushes Rodgers out the door. But Packers GM Brian Gutekunst, who worked in the front office when the team brought Rodgers on board, says it was Rodgers’ performance in practice and limited opportunities for three years that gave them confidence he was ready to replace Favre, not his status as a first-round pick. 

“The reason that back then we moved from Brett to Aaron was because of what Aaron had done his first three years here. And that’s got to happen with Jordan,” Gutekunst said via the Athletic’s Jason Wilde. “He has to be able to do the work and he has to do that for us to make us believe that he can be a starting quarterback in the National Football League.

“We drafted him in the first round, we certainly think he has that kind of talent. But that’s not enough in the National Football League. You’ve got to work, you’ve got to earn it, you’ve got to become a good enough player. Again, we have one of the best to ever lace them up, and we’re shooting for championships for as long as he’s here, and we expect him to be here for quite a while.”

Vikings

• The Athletic’s Chad Graff and Arif Hasan write that Vikings RB Dalvin Cook will be even more important to the team’s offense now that they’ve traded away WR Stefon Diggs.
• They add that some improvement from the offensive line, like the development of RT Brian O’Neill and C Garrett Bradbury along with getting Pat Elflein off the field could help Cook and the offense be more efficient. 
• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes the Vikings coaching staff plans to return to the team facility when the players do at the beginning of training camp.