NFC Notes: Lions, Packers, Panthers

Lions

• Lions GM Bob Quinn told reporters on Monday that the decision to release TE Eric Ebron was strictly financial and they never discussed a potential extension to lower his cap hit. (Justin Rogers)
• According to Quinn, the teams that showed interest in possibly trading for Ebron all said his contract was too high for them. (Dave Birkett)
• When asked if Ameer Abdullah will still have a role in 2018 still, Quinn said: “Sure does.”
• Quinn also said they’re open to acquiring more picks in this year’s draft. (Tim Twentyman)

Packers

Packers president Mark Murphy was asked about the potential impact of Kirk Cousins‘ new three-year, $84 million fully guaranteed contract may have on contract talks with QB Aaron Rodgers.

“It’s obviously very different for the league,” Murphy said, via ESPN.com. “I think you’ve seen in recent years an increase in the amount of guaranteed money in contracts, and I think this is probably the first — at least that I’m aware of — that’s guaranteed to that percentage. The other thing, it’s only a three-year [deal]. So it’s fairly short and typically contracts like that have probably been more often five years rather than three years. But as I said before, I have confidence in Russ and also Dave Dunn. Aaron’s agent. I’m confident we’ll be able to work things out.”

There has been some speculation about Rodgers possibly seeking to have his salary tied to the salary cap, but Murphy doesn’t think this will happen.

“I foresee agents trying to get that, but I do not anticipate that that will happen,” Murphy said of the idea.

According to Murphy, he’s confident a deal with Rodgers will get done soon enough and ensure he spends the remainder of his career in Green Bay.

“There could be [other contract demands],” Murphy said. “But as I said before, I’m confident we’ll be able to work around it. At the end of the day, we want Aaron to be a Packer for the rest of his career. He wants to play ’til he’s 40, and I think it just makes sense for both sides to figure out a way to get it done.”

Panthers

• Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk, citing a source with knowledge of the process, reports that there are “at least three more” serious bidders that have engaged in serious talks to buy the Panthers beyond those already reported buyers.
• According to Gantt, there are also indications that at least one bidder is planning to be in Charlotte this week to take a first-hand look at the organization.