NFC Notes: Lions, Adams, Campbell, Packers, Vikings, Cousins

Lions

Packers

• The Packers converted $7.215 million of DT Kenny Clark‘s $8.25 million base salary into a signing bonus and converted his $6.4 million roster bonus into a signing bonus. The team also added two void years which will allow the new signing bonus totals to be prorated over five years. (Rob Demovsky)
• Regardless of what happens with QB Aaron Rodgers, the Packers will likely want to keep WR Davante Adams to either help young QB Jordan Love or use the franchise tag on him before trading him, as the team can’t allow him to walk away and get nothing in return at this point. (NFL.com)
• Packers GM Brian Gutekunst says he isn’t going to entertain “hypotheticals” related to potentially trading Rodgers this offseason. (Ryan Wood)
• Gutekunst told the media he would prefer to reach an extension with Adams instead of using the franchise tag on him, but also said it’s possible he walks in free agency this offseason. (Wood)
• Gutekunst commented on his excitement surrounding Love, who was finally able to see the field this season: “Obviously I’m sure there are some things he would have liked to go different in the games that he played, but I thought there were some positive signs.” (Wood)
• When it comes to what the team is missing in order to make it to a Super Bowl, Gutekunst said the team needs to just play better in big moments: “I don’t think we’re missing anything. I don’t look at it that way. I just think we need to play better in those moments.” (Wood)
• When asked about LB De’Vondre Campbell and CB Rasul Douglas, Gutekunst wouldn’t say much about their contract situations: “Those two guys had great years for us. We would love to retain them going forward.” (Wood)
• Gutekunst revealed the Packers were “very interested” in Campbell when he signed with the Cardinals two years ago, however, the two sides could not come to an agreement: “We’re very optimistic and hopeful to get him back into the fold.” (Wood)
• Gutekunst also noted the restructuring of Clark’s contract, adding “there will be many more” restructures this offseason: “I think Kenny being kind of the anchor and pillar of our defense, that was an easy one to start off with.” (Wood)
• Gutekunst added the team will not have a “fire sale” by releasing players to get under the cap in 2022: “I don’t see us having to get rid of a bunch of players.” (Wood)
• As for struggling veteran K Mason Crosby, Gutekunst expects him to make the 90-man roster and never thought about changing kickers during the season. (Wood)
• Gutekunst spoke about T David Bakhtiari and G Elgton Jenkins, noting he feels “really good” about Bakhtiari and said Jenkins’s rehab from a torn ACL is going well. (Matt Schneidman)
• When it comes to keeping OLB Za’Darius Smith, Gutekunst notes things will need to fall into place in order for it to happen: “A lot of pieces that kinda have to fit to make that work.” (Schneidman)

Vikings

• In an interview on the Pat McAfee Show, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport says he thinks the new Vikings coaching staff legitimately likes QB Kirk Cousins and views him as someone to build around. 
• Rapoport adds he thinks it’s more likely the Vikings approach Cousins about an extension to lower his $45 million cap hit in 2022 than explore any kind of trade. 
• Regarding the rumored call from the Panthers, Rapoport guesses they will at some point call on everyone who could possibly be available in search of an upgrade. He does not think the Vikings leaked the report to drum up interest. 
• The Vikings will not be retaining assistant RB coach/quality control assistant AC Patterson, who spent the past three seasons with the team. (Chris Tomasson)