NFC Notes: Bears, Packers, Vikings

Bears

Bears’ rookie QB Justin Fields thinks that everyone on Chicago’s roster should be vying for a starting position in 2021.

“I think everybody on our team should be striving for a starting job and if you’re not, then there’s no reason for you to be here. So, of course, I’m going to do everything that I can to get that starting job,” Fields said, via Grant Gordon of NFL.com. “It’s not up to me, coach Nagy has a set plan on my development and stuff like that. I’m just gonna work hard and keep my head down and just keep grinding it out every day. “

Despite having the future of his career in the hands of HC Matt Nagy, Fields is not worried and believes it is important for players to trust in their coaches and vice versa.

Fields added that he is comfortable waiting for his time, despite being built for the NFL game.

“I’m very comfortable,” Fields said. “I think it’s very important for the players to trust the coaches and the coaches to trust the players. Whatever coach Nagy has planned for me, it’s what I’m going to do and what I’m going to follow. I’ve been kinda in the spotlight since high school, so I kinda feel like I’m made for this. I’m built for this. It’s nothing new to me, I’m just gonna continue to work hard and continue to get better every day.”

• Fields says he is ready to compete for the starting position in Chicago, yet trusts the plan that the team has in place for him. (Jeff Dickerson)

Packers

• Packers’ C Josh Myers says he is almost completely healthy after his surgery last season: “I’m doing really good with it. It seems like it’s getting better and better every week. I’m able to run pretty much full speed. I was doing offensive line drills all day today.” (Ryan Wood)
• The Packers are currently using Myers at center and are keeping rookie Amari Rodgers at receiver before trying him out in the backfield eventually. (Ryan Wood)
• Packers’ HC Matt LaFleur on rookie CB Eric Stokes who was selected in the first round: “He could be an elite corner in this league, no doubt about it. When you find corners who can take the ball away, there’s nothing more valuable than that. He certainly looks impressive. He has great size and length, and speed, you can definitely see that. You can tell he’s not too threatened about guys running past him.”(Ryan Wood)
• LaFleur says OC Nathaniel Hackett put in a good word for QB Blake Bortles and likes the experience that Bortles can bring to the team under Hackett: “They have a great rapport together, and he was able to go out there and execute.” (Ryan Wood)

• LaFleur said they want Aaron Rodgers back as their starter “in the worst way” and they will “continue to work at” the situation: “We still obviously feel the same way. We want him back in the worst way. I know he knows that. And we’ll continue to work at it each and every day.” (Tom Pelissero)
• As for Packers’ third-round WR Amari Rodgers, LaFleur praised the rookie’s frame, route-running ability, and agility: “He’s a well-built kid. He looks like a grown man. He’s got that thick, running back frame, and then you watch him run routes, and he doesn’t move like most running backs.” (Ryan Wood)
• LaFleur added that Rodgers will get time at punt return and kick return specialist duties.

Vikings

• Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Vikings think third-round QB Kellen Mond has untapped potential that their play-action-focused scheme could help unlock by simplifying reads for him and letting him cut loose. An NFL coordinator agreed, telling Fowler: “He’s really got a chance, but he plays robotic at times. He has a God-given ability to throw and run. If he can learn how to use it, they could have something.”
• He adds for what it’s worth, the Raiders were wary of the Vikings being one of the teams behind them that would take OT Alex Leatherwood.

• Vikings’ sixth-round pick DE Jaylen Twyman will receive a four-year, $3.65 million deal with a signing bonus of $174,940. He will count for $703,735 towards the team’s 2021 salary cap. (Chris Tomasson)
• Vikings’ HC Mike Zimmer on rookie G Wyatt Davis starting out on the right side: “It’s still very early. I’m sure that won’t be the last place he lines up.” (Chris Tomasson)
• Zimmer said of what he has seen out of rookie T Christian Darrisaw: “So far he’s done a really nice job in the technique of things. So far so good.” (Chris Tomasson)
• As for CB Mike Hughes‘ health being a factor in his trade to Kansas City, Zimmer said: “Mike is a terrific kid. He’s been injured an awful lot. With the way that everything is now, we were fortunate to get a couple of corners last year in the draft, we signed Patrick Peterson in free agency, so I think that gave us the opportunity to make the trade.” (Courtney Cronin)