Bears
Bears TE Cole Kmet has taken a solid step forward in his second season. But Chicago wants to see even more because they believe in the 22-year-oldโs potential. Theyโre also confident heโll be able to reach it.
โI think in the pass game you want to see the savviness and detail that sometimes comes just with experience of running some of the routes,โ Bears OC Bill Lazor said via the Athleticโs Kevin Fishbain. โHe canโt control the coverage โ whether he gets man or doesnโt get man. But I think as you watch guys, if you can look into the future with what Coleโs physical abilities are and how smart he is, how conscientious he is, I mean I think youโre going to see a guy who, over time, maxes out his physical ability with exactly how you run the routes.โ
- Fishbain lists the Bearsโ top needs for 2022 as offensive line, wide receiver, and cornerback.
Packers
- Packers WR Allen Lazard said he was honored to catch QB Aaron Rodgersโ record-breaking 443rd touchdown pass with the team: โIt was a huge moment of gratitude. It was just a very grounding moment for me.โ (Ryan Wood)
- Rodgers said it was surreal to break this record: โTo be apart of history like thatโฆis something Iโm proud of and extremely grateful for, the opportunity to play here for so long. โฆThis is a special place. To be a part of history like this is not lost on me at allโcareer. To break the record on a simple play like that, itโs pretty cool.โ (Wes Hodkiewicz)
- Packers WR Davante Adams said the offense needs to finish better: โTo a certain extent we got lucky. We did enough later on to cover our butt. Thatโs not our brand of ball.โ (Tom Silverstein)
- Rodgers agreed that it is the offenseโs job to play a complete game: โWe gotta do a better job of closing games out. Thatโs on us (the offense).โ (Schneidman)
- Rodgers gave credit to the way the defense played by forcing four turnovers: โOur defense has done a really good job of coming up with big playsโฆIt was bend but donโt break.โ (Silverstein)
- Adams added CB Rasul Douglas has been a huge reason why the team is 12-3: โI think itโs pretty safe to say heโs a superstar at the cornerback position.โ (Matt Schneidman)
- Rodgers agreed with Adamsโ take: โI donโt think Rasul is a role player โ heโs a star. โฆ Heโs changed our team.โ (Hodkiewicz)
- Douglas, however, doesnโt think of himself as a superstar: โI donโt think Iโm a superstar yet. Weโve got two superstars on our team, 12 and 17.โ (Wood)
- Packers HC Matt LaFleur has been impressed by Douglasโ ability to thrive on the team without an offseason: โIโve never seen anything like this in my time in the National Football League, where somebody who comes in midseason has such tremendous impact on your football team.โ (Wood)
- LaFleur mentioned, despite the win, they have a lot to work on: โI think thereโs a lot of mixed feelings. The splash plays are great, obviously. The difference in the game was the four turnovers and the sacks, but I would say down in and down out we have to be more consistent.โ (Wood)
- LaFleur specifically mentioned tackling as an area where they need to improve: โWe have to do a better job of tackling. That was probably our worst job of tackling.โ (Silverstein)
- LaFleur said he doesnโt take for granted having a quarterback like Rodgers: โWeโre fortunate to have a guy like him whoโs able to make not just the decisions, but throw with accuracy.โ (Wood)
- On OL Yosh Nijman, LaFleur said he has come up huge for them: โIโm super proud of him, just the work that he puts in on a daily basis, his approach to the game, and how much it means to him. And itโs evident.โ (Wood)
- Rodgers said this was the best his broken toe felt in a while, but heโs hoping it feels the same throughout the week: โWeโre hoping there wasnโt a major setback tonight. It feels OK right now sitting here.โ (Schneidman)
Vikings
- Vikingsโ LB Eric Kendricks was fined $10,300 for unnecessary roughness for his hit on Bearsโ QB Justin Fields that led to his ejection. (Ian Rapoport)
- Vikingsโ QB Kirk Cousins when asked if he was impacted by his rib injury on Sunday against the Rams: โIt didnโt impact me. I felt fine.โ (Chris Tomasson)
- Cousins, who is unvaccinated, on the COVID-19 situation affecting the quarterback room this week: โIt just is what it is. At this point, you just have to follow the protocols, be disciplined and thereโs a lot of people not testing. So, itโs in our building. Itโs going to be in our building. Itโs going to spread. Weโve just got to be disciplined to keep our distance and make sure that to the best of our ability we donโt get it but it is going to be difficult.โ (Courtney Cronin)
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