NFC Notes: Bears, Panthers, Saints

Bears

One of the standouts of OTAs for the Bears has been 2020 fifth-round CB Kindle Vildor, who had two interceptions in one day at minicamp. There are spots up for grabs in Chicago’s secondary outside of Jaylon Johnson and Vildor is making a strong bid for one of them. 

“He’s definitely flashing,” Bears HC Matt Nagy said via the Athletic’s Adam Jahns. “Every play you get, every rep you get, you get a little bit more experience, a little more confidence and you can play faster. The stuff that goes on on the offensive side of the ball slows down for you and your reactionary skills are better. And what I think you see is you start seeing a lot more of what we saw on tape at Georgia Southern and where he was.”

Panthers

Panthers’ HC Matt Rhule has no problem referring to CB Donte Jackson as an elite NFL player when speaking with the media this offseason.

“The young guys are learning as they go and Donte [Jackson] is growing a lot as a player,” Rhule said during a press conference. “I’ve liked a lot of things that Donte has done. . . Jaycee is going to be a really good player. He’s going to be a valuable part of our team. A lot of guys are really talented and can do a lot of things. A.J. has been to a Pro Bowl, Donte is an elite player we think we just have to keep him healthy and keep him moving in the right direction.”

Saints

Saints RB Alvin Kamara is partnering with NASCAR to become its first growth and engagement advisor.

Kamara’s duties will include working “directly with NASCAR leadership on strategic planning and creative opportunities that support its fan development efforts.” 

“It’s an honor to be able to team up with NASCAR and be their first-ever growth and engagement advisor,” Kamara said in the press release, via Pro Football Talk. “I’m excited to use my passion as a fan to help shape their long-term efforts to grow the sport.” 

Kamara will also work under the leadership of Chief Marketing Officer Pete Jung by helping “contribute to planning, ideation and activation around fan development and engagement.”

“Alvin’s journey to NASCAR happened very organically from that initial curiosity to experiencing our events to developing a real and sincere passion for the sport,” Jung said. “That’s what we’re looking to tap into … his insights, perspective and ideas … and learning more about his experience so that we can enhance what we’re doing to engage and develop new fans.”