NFC Notes: Lions, Packers, Vikings

Lions

  • Lions HC Dan Campbell said TEs coach Ben Johnson is in consideration for Detroitโ€™s offensive coordinator job but also plans to interview other candidates this week. (Tim Twentyman)
  • Campbell said he thinks Lions DC Aaron Glenn would be a โ€œgreat fitโ€ for the Saintsโ€™ head coach job and is nervous about losing him: โ€œWell, heโ€™d be a great fit. Thatโ€™s why Iโ€™m nervous.โ€ (Tim Twentyman)
  • Lions RBs coach Duce Staley points out that there are several Black assistant coaches and coordinators around the league who are โ€œoverqualifiedโ€ for head coaching jobs: โ€œItโ€™s some guys out there thatโ€™s overqualified and we all know that. Itโ€™s some guys out there thatโ€™s been coaching in this league for a while that are outstanding.โ€ (Eric Woodyard)
  • Although Staley wouldnโ€™t touch on the head coach interview process, he reiterated that there are coaches who are overqualified for positions and is hopeful they get considered for remaining jobs: โ€œI canโ€™t speak of the process. I canโ€™t speak on what they went through as far as interviewing or anything like that, I just know I can speak of the man in the coach and theyโ€™re overqualified. Weโ€™ve still got a couple openings so hopefully one of those guys get a job.โ€ (Eric Woodyard)

Packers

Packers LB Rashan Gary would welcome being more of a leader in 2022. Judging by some of the veterans being discussed as potential cap casualties for Green Bay this offseason, he might have to. 

โ€œIโ€™m being who I am. If thatโ€™s whatโ€™s asked of me, then thatโ€™s what Iโ€™ll do,โ€ Gary said, via Packers.com. โ€œNothingโ€™s going to change about how I carry myself, how I work and how I conduct myself when it comes to football and what I love. Iโ€™m still going to be the same guy. I feel like Iโ€™ve always been a guy that leads by example, never really talks too much.โ€

Gary added he will continue holding himself to a high standard.

โ€œEverybody knows the standard,โ€ Gary said. โ€œNothingโ€™s going to change from this year to next year. The only thing thatโ€™s going to change is โ€ฆ needing to finish where we need to finish. Everybody has that goal. Everybody, look at your tape. Be critical. What are you going to do thatโ€™s going to push this team over the edge? Thatโ€™s the challenge that everybodyโ€™s taking.โ€

Vikings

  • Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune notes the Vikings held a nine-hour interview with Giants DC Patrick Graham for their head coach job on Tuesday. 
  • The Athleticโ€™s Chad Graff says a team source continues to insist the team has no agreement in place with Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh, who interviewed Wednesday in person in Minnesota. 
  • Pro Football Talk also cites a league source that said something similar, plus added Harbaugh is entering the meeting believing he needs to win the job. 
  • However, Graff points out it feels unlikely that Harbaugh would fly out on National Signing Day and risk rejection if he didnโ€™t feel strongly he would be the next Vikings head coach. The optics would be too bad. 
  • Graff adds hiring Harbaugh, who has a reputation as being hard to work with, is a little curious after how the previous era ended with Mike Zimmer. But Harbaugh has a strong record of success in the NFL and thatโ€™s appealing to Vikings ownership, which always wants to contend. 
  • Vikings OL Mason Cole is set to become a free agent but commented on the team interviewing Harbaugh: โ€œI am a Harbaugh guy. Obviously, played with him three years (at Michigan), so Iโ€™m a fan of Harbaugh. So weโ€™ll see what happens.โ€ (Chris Tomasson)

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