NFC Notes: Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson, Danielle Hunter, Bears, Lions, Vikings

Bears

• The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain says there’s a consensus from talking to other people around the NFL at the Senior Bowl about what the Bears should or will do with the No. 1 pick — and most expect Chicago to draft USC QB Caleb Williams and trade QB Justin Fields.
• Fisbain adds the caveat that Bears GM Ryan Poles and the staff will be thorough and explore all options, but most outside observers agree Williams should be the No. 1 pick, and one league source pointed out it’d be hard to pass on Williams’ talent and resetting the rookie QB contract window. 
• The Athletic’s Adam Jahns notes the Bears will almost assuredly put the franchise tag on CB Jaylon Johnson at $18.8 million and then work on a long-term deal. Jahns thinks Johnson will be targeting north of $20 million a year. 
• The Bears tried to extend WR Darnell Mooney before last season, but Jahns says after failing to reach a deal and Mooney having a career-worst season, it’s easy to see the two sides parting ways. 
• Jahns expects the Bears to let DE Yannick Ngakoue, DE Rasheem Green, RB D’Onta Foreman and C Lucas Patrick test free agency while they explore upgrades. He adds DT Justin Jones could be in a similar boat but he thinks the Bears are more likely to try and keep him if it’s a reasonable deal. 

Lions

Lions GM Brad Holmes spoke about the team keeping OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn when both coordinators were considered to be hot candidates in the coaching cycle this time around.

“It’s everything. Continuity is everything,” Holmes said, via Benjamin Raven of Live.com. “They’re great coaches. They’re very smart. They’re great leaders. They’re teachers and they fit here. But, you know, fortunate — I’m glad that they’re back. I know we’re a better team with that continuity. But I have all the trust and faith in Dan [Campbell], as well.”

Holmes added he thinks it demonstrates how strong of a team culture the Lions have built. 

“The one thing I’ll say about those guys being back is, I think it says a lot about our organization,” Holmes added. “And I think that’s a part that wasn’t really talked about as much. Yes, you got two talented coordinators, jobs open up [the thought is], ‘They have to take those jobs, right?’ Well, they got damn good jobs here. They do.”

He also defended Johnson who has come under fire for how things panned out between him and the Commanders. 

“I know all the stuff that’s written about Ben — Ben, look, there is a great culture here. We got a great head coach. We got great ownership. We got a great offense. We got great players on offense. It’s a great deal. … I’m not speaking for Ben. I don’t know his thoughts. And that’s the other thing, you’ve got to just give people the respect of the unknown. You don’t know what goes through their decisions and decision-making process and all that. But very, very fortunate. And I do think it speaks a lot about our organization.”

• The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and Ben Standig note people around the league were particularly offended Johnson withdrew from the Commanders’ head coaching search while Washington’s hiring committee was in flight to Detroit, even though they were also interviewing Glenn: “Outrageous. Simply outrageous. That’s not how you conduct business. It is how you ruin your reputation.”
• Standig and Russini write there’s a view in NFL circles that Johnson prefers to focus on game plans and strategy rather than leading a locker room, and that he’s apprehensive about taking a head coaching job for that reason.
• They add these sources theorize Johnson’s agent hoped to land him an offer he couldn’t refuse with his reportedly high salary demands.
• Another high-ranking executive told the Athletic: “I like Ben. A year ago, he knew he wasn’t ready. I get a feeling he still thinks he needs time. Who knows? But to break (the decision) while they were in the air is a poor choice.”

Vikings

Vikings DE Danielle Hunter isn’t sure if he will be back in Minnesota next season after posting a career-high 16.5 sacks in 2023 and was asked about it during his appearance at the Pro Bowl.

“Just letting everything play its course. I did my job. Everything’s in my agent’s hands and my team — and whomever it is that’s out there,” Hunter told NFL.com at the Pro Bowl. “My job, like I said, is to do my job. And I’m gonna make sure I stay in shape and whatever is best available for me, I’ll take that.”

“Just doing my job,” Hunter said reflecting on his season. “I take pride in doing what I do. It wasn’t just me alone, my teammates and defensive coordinator put me in the best position to make plays for my team. Like I said, wish I could do more, like making us go to the playoffs. We had a lot of ups and downs, but we learned from them. It was football, unfortunate things happen, but we dealt with that as a team together and we finished…Staying in shape, doing my part, and then when the time comes, my agent or the Vikings, they’ll come to a decision. We’ll see what’s best when the time comes.”