NFC Notes: Lions, Packers, Vikings

Lions

Lions’ Interim HC Darrell Bevell is not thrilled to become an NFL head coach due to a firing but said he is ready to take control of the team and is excited about the opportunity.

“I hate the circumstances with which it happened. But it’s an opportunity and you got to take full advantage of opportunities that you’re given, however they come your way,” Bevell said, via Michael Rothstein of ESPN. “I’m jacked. I’m excited. I get a five-game audition to show what I’m capable of, but I also told them that everybody is watching them, whether it’s our team, whether it’s other teams, whether the opportunities for them to continue to play, people are watching them. So how are we able to react at this moment and how we’re able to bring out our best in these next five games is going to tell all.

“The one thing I got to do is I got to be me. I’ve been at a lot of stops, seen a lot of different head coaches that have gone up there and there are great things about each and every one of them, so as I was doing that you kind of try to see yourself in that role and how you would handle situations and things that are important to you and that’s what I would do. I am just going to be myself. I’m asking the guys to come in with a refreshed attitude ready to work, No. 1, but ready to have a good time and just let them play with their hair on fire and let them play fast, let them play free, and we’ll worry about the end result at the end.

“But we’re going to take it one game at a time and hopefully, we’ll like what happens at the end. It’s just been a little inconsistent at times. My thing is I just wanted to be able to have a great time. It’s important to know that being able to have a good time and hard work, you know, they don’t have to be individual deals. I mean, you can have a great time and work hard. That’s what I told the guys and that’s what I want them to do. It’s never really been about their work. They’ve worked hard. So I’m excited to just bring that attitude for them.”

• Lions’ QB Matthew Stafford was asked about his future with the organization: “I’ll figure that out and talk about that later on.” (Dave Birkett)
• Kyle Meinke of MLive.com mentions that Bevell was told he could be a candidate for the permanent position depending on his performance for the remainder of the season.
• NJ.com’s Mike Kaye notes the Lions had some interest in former S Will Parks in free agency and could be interested again now that he’s a free agent. 
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Packers

• The Green Bay Packers are bringing in former second-round K Roberto Aguayo for a workout this week, according to Rob Demovksy of ESPN.
• Packers signed WR Tavon Austin. (NFLTR)
• Packers waived WR Darrius Shepherd. (NFLTR)

Vikings

• Per MLive.com’s Kyle Meinke, the Vikings brought former Lions HC Jim Caldwell on as a consultant in 2018: “They allowed me to look at every single aspect of their organization. I sat in on all of their meetings with their coaches, offensively and defensively and in the kicking game.”
• NJ.com’s Mike Kaye notes the Vikings had some interest in former S Will Parks in free agency and at the trade deadline, so they could be interested again now that he’s a free agent.