NFC Notes: Packers, Saints, Vikings

Packers

• The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin identifies DE Mike Daniels as a surprising cap casualty or trade candidate this year to watch this summer. 
• Volin mentions that the Packers have reworked their defensive front this offseason and spent a lot of money in the process. Green Bay would save $8 million by trading or releasing Daniels, who is in the final year of his contract. 

Saints

Saints fourth-string QB J.T. Barrett is looking forward to his chance to develop this offseason behind the rest of the Saints quarterbacks. 

“This is good for me to get some reps under my belt,” Barrett told Rod Walker of the New Orleans Advocate. “Being the fourth quarterback last year, I didn’t get the opportunity for those things. So for me, this is just about me getting reps, footwork and all the timing and stuff down.” 

Vikings

Despite missing the playoffs last year, internal expectations for the Vikings remain high for the coming season. 

“Well, it was a disappointing season,” Vikings co-owner Mark Wilf said via Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “We didn’t like the way it ended and it was a bitter taste in all of our [mouths] and we got right to work the day after that game. Coach Zimmer, Rick Spielman, the whole organization has had a plan, and we’re executing it and we like the changes, so far.”

Wilf is hoping QB Kirk Cousins can take a step forward in his second year with the team. 

“I think a year under his belt here in Minnesota and his familiarity with everything is going to bode well,” Wilf told Hartman. “He’s doing great. We expect a lot out of him as well as our whole team.”

• The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin includes TE Kyle Rudolph and CBs Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes as speculative candidates for trades or restructures this offseason.