NFC Notes: Bears, Packers, Vikings

Bears

Bears S Eddie Jackson was happy to see the organization promote Sean Desai to defensive coordinator after spending 2013-2018 as a quality control coach and 2019-2020 as defensive backs coach. 

“I was very excited,” said Jackson, via Larry Mayer of the team’s official site. “He’s been a guy behind the scenes for a very long time, even before I got here (in 2017). [He] was one of the guys who helped me the most learning the plays, learning the schemes. So, for him to get that type of promotion is huge and I feel like it’s well deserved.”

Bears S Tashaun Gipson added that he “couldn’t be more happy” for Desai and that the coordinator has a strong understanding of the game. 

“I couldn’t be more happy for a guy like Sean,” added Gipson. “You see a guy like that and you understand that he knows the game of football. He just needed that opportunity.”

Bears LB Danny Trevathan said Desai knows how to determine players’ attributes and thinks he will put them in the “best situation possible” to succeed. 

“Sean knows strengths and weaknesses,” said Trevathan. “He watches a lot of film. He’s a smart guy. He knows football. So, I think that’s going to help put us in the best situation possible in making the right calls and understanding who’s out there and knowing how the guys can make an impact play.”

Packers

Packers WR Davante Adams, who is entering the final year of his deal, said he couldn’t comment on Raiders QB Derek Carr‘s recent comments of putting a “full-court press” on recruiting Adams once his contract expires with Green Bay. 

“Well, I mean, I’m a Packer, so I can’t really get too far ahead on that. When the season ends and if nothing’s figured out, then maybe we’ll have something to talk about. But those are cautious waters, so I can’t really dabble in that now,” said Adams, via Evan Webeck of the Mercury News. 

Vikings

• ESPN’s Courtney Cronin catalogs the significant effort the Vikings expended to shore up their defense this offseason. Minnesota guaranteed $50 million via restructures to keep DE Danielle Hunter and LB Anthony Barr and spent five draft picks on defense. 
• The Vikings also signed DT Dalvin Tomlinson, CB Patrick Peterson, DT Sheldon Richardson, CB Mackensie Alexander, S Xavier Woods, CB Bashaud Breeland, LB Nick Vigil and DE Stephen Weatherly in free agency. 
• Despite all that, Cronin notes the Vikings still need to find a bookend pass rusher across from Hunter. Weatherly will compete with third-round DE Patrick Jones, fourth-round DE Janarius Robinson, and a pair of 2020 fourth-rounders, Jalyn Holmes and D.J. Wonnum, for a starting job and spots in the rotation.