NFC Notes: Bears, Packers, Vikings

Bears

  • The Athleticโ€™s Adam Jahns writes that Bears chairman George McCaskey is doing homework on organizational changes, potentially including to the top of the power structure in the football department. 
  • Team president Ted Phillips has come under fire but Jahns doubts heโ€™s fired outright. If anything, he could be allowed to retire but Jahns points out the upcoming stadium situation in Arlington Heights could require Phillipsโ€™ hands on the wheel. 
  • Jahns adds it wouldnโ€™t be surprising if the Bears gave GM Ryan Pace a crack at hiring a third head coach after firing Matt Nagy as expected. NFL Mediaโ€™s Ian Rapoport also hasnโ€™t heard that Pace is in trouble, though heโ€™s also obviously not definitively safe either. 
  • Bears OC Bill Lazor had high praise of second-round OT Teven Jenkins as a pass blocker despite some apparent struggles: โ€œI would highlight his pass-block technique and production. โ€ฆ I think everyone should be excited. If you just highlighted the technique he used and his production in pass pro, I think everybody should be excited about what they saw happen.โ€ (Kevin Fishbain)

Packers

Packers HC Matt LaFleur said they are resting OT David Bakhtiari during practice.

โ€œDave didnโ€™t practice today. Weโ€™re just kind of unloading him for the week,โ€ LaFleur said, via Packers Wire. โ€œWeโ€™re going to continue to monitor it daily, and when heโ€™s back, heโ€™s back.โ€

LaFleur mentioned the team doesnโ€™t want to rush Bakhtiari back.

โ€œObviously, Dave is a great player, a Pro Bowl player, heโ€™s one of the premier players in this league at that position. Heโ€™s doing everything he can,โ€ LaFleur said. โ€œOur athletic training staff is doing everything they can to get him back out there, and when the timeโ€™s right, heโ€™ll be back out there.โ€

  • LaFleur mentioned DT Kenny Clark is eligible to play on Saturday despite being on the COVID-19 list. (Tom Silverstein)
  • According to Joel Corry, Clarkโ€™s 2022 base salary is now $8.25 million, a $250,000 increase, thanks to his Pro Bowl selection.
  • According to Sports Illustratedโ€™s Albert Breer, a potential QB Aaron Rodgers trade in the offseason would probably have to include multiple first-round picks, multiple day-two picks, and multiple young players. That, combined with the lack of realistic trade targets, means Rodgersโ€™ most logical 2022 team probably the Packers.

Vikings

  • KSTPSports reports Vikings co-DC Andre Patterson tested positive for COVID-19. 
  • Vikings LB Eric Kendricks didnโ€™t think he shouldโ€™ve been ejected vs. Chicago: โ€œOn the sideline, I was standing around and everyone was like, โ€˜No, you have to leave.โ€™โ€ (Andrew Krammer)
  • Vikings DT Michael Pierce said he tore a portion of his triceps back in November: โ€œIt took a little while to heal.โ€  (Ben Goessling)
  • Pierce had high praise of veteran DL Sheldon Richardsonโ€˜s moving from an interior role to defensive end: โ€œI donโ€™t think there are too many guys that can do that and perform well. โ€ฆ Have a big guy at 5-tech makes my job a whole lot easier.โ€ (Andrew Krammer)
  • Vikings OC Klint Kubiak said they donโ€™t plan on changing a lot of their offense now that RB Dalvin Cook landed on the COVID-19 list and RB Alexander Mattison is set to start: โ€œWeโ€™re not going to change a whole lot. We know the things Mattison does well, we know the things Dalvin does well. Weโ€™ll try to play to the playersโ€™ strengths as much as possible. Weโ€™ve had a whole offseason to work with Mattison and weโ€™ve got to keep doing the things that he does well.โ€ (Courtney Cronin)
  • Vikings WR Justin Jefferson earns a fifth-year option wage increase by being elected to the Pro Bowl. (Brad Spielberger

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