NFC Notes: Lions, Packers, Seahawks

Lions

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer thinks having a coach and general manager in alignment will be a top priority for the Lions as they move forward.
• Breer mentions 49ers DC Robert Saleh, a Michigan native, as a potential strong candidate for the job. He adds 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters or Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds would then make sense as GM candidates familiar with Saleh. 
• Some other options the Lions could consider for their general manager vacancy include Chiefs director of football ops Mike Borgonzi, Ravens director of player personnel Joe Hortiz, Seahawks VP of player personnel Trent Kirchner and VP of football ops Scott Fitterer, Bills assistant GM Joe Schoen, senior executive Brian Gaine, and assistant director of college scouting Lake Dawson, Vikings assistant GM George Paton, Patriots consultant Eliot Wolf, Rams senior executive Brian Xanders, ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah and former GM’s Thomas Dimitroff, Rick Smith, Reggie McKenzie and Ryan Grigson. (Chris Burke/Nick Baumgardner)

Packers

Although Packers’ CEO Mark Murphy said HC Matt LaFleur‘s experience with quarterbacks wasn’t the deciding factor when hiring him in 2019, he added that it was “important” to add a coach who would be able to work well with Aaron Rodgers.  

“That said, though,” Murphy said, via Jim Owczarski of PackersNews. “I think his work with quarterbacks was important to us and quite honestly the way our team’s structured… Somebody who’s going to be able to work with Aaron and help him play the very best he can play is going to really help us win.”

LaFleur said his offensive system typically uses the passing game to open up the run in order to stay unpredictable. 

“It’s a system that’s really predicated on building the run game with the pass game,” said LaFleur. “We like to have plays … we like to say plays that start off looking the same but are different, plays that play off of plays. It lessens the predictability of what you’re trying to do, and it keeps a defense more off-balance. And if there’s one thing I can say in regard to a guy like Aaron, if you give Aaron time and you are unpredictable, he’s going to excel, because we all know the talent he has. That’s how we’re going to build this thing.”

• CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora says the Packers are coming up in league circles as a team that could make some coaching staff changes on the defensive side of the ball. Green Bay’s defensive coordinator is Mike Pettine.

Seahawks

• CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora says the Seahawks have already made inquiries about adding to their defensive staff this offseason. Seattle’s defense has struggled mightily and DC Ken Norton could be on the hot seat.