NFC Notes: Packers, Vikings, Danielle Hunter

Packers

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers believes Green Bay is “flying under the radar” compared to some other teams. 

“I think the beauty is there’s a lot of conversation about other teams,” said Rodgers, via Rob Demovsky of ESPN. “Whether it’s Tom (Brady) in Tampa, or the teams that were really solid last year: New Orleans, San Francisco, Seattle, Philadelphia and Dallas with Mike (McCarthy) and what they’ve done with their roster. I like where we’re at as far as kind of flying under the radar even though we went 13-3 last year. We’ve got a chance to prove what kind of team we are starting the season out on Sunday and I look forward to the opportunity.”

Regarding the NFL not having any preseason games, Rodgers said there is an “amped up” feeling heading into Week 1 against the Vikings. 

“Everything is amped up a little bit, to even, like I told the guys before practice, it’s easy to get amped up, obviously more on game day and with each progressing week, the urgency and the importance obviously picks up and so today I felt was a good day for us energetically. And it was definitely the first time I think, for me, that the realness of this kind of set in and the understanding that now it does matter. Hopefully, the rest of the guys don’t take until Sunday to have the same feeling because I know it’s been strange for all of us.”

Packers HC Matt LaFleur admitted that their starting right tackle spot is a “work in progress.” 

“I think that’s kind of a work in progress right now,” LaFleur said. “We’ll see where we’re at healthwise at the end of the week and then make a decision that we feel is going to give us the best chance to win.”

Danielle Hunter

Vikings GM Rick Spielman said during an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio that they believe DE Danielle Hunter can return from injured reserve after the three-week minimum. 

• Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wonders if DE Danielle Hunter‘s injury is truly holding him back or if he is just unwilling to play until his $14.4 million salary gets closer to that of Chargers DE Joey Bosa.
• Florio also wonders whether the Vikings soured the situation by placing Hunter on IR, which takes away $31,250 per week in roster bonuses.
• This also makes it more difficult for Hunter to earn an additional $500,000 based on getting 13 sacks and another $500,000 for getting 15 sacks.
• Vikings’ HC Mike Zimmer on injuries to the team’s safeties: “We have backup safeties. We won’t go into the game with two safeties.” (Chris Tomasson)

Vikings

Vikings Dalvin Cook said receiving his five-year, $63 million extension on Saturday was a “sigh of relief” for him

“Definitely excited. Definitely a sigh of relief as far as being excited for being in Minnesota for years. That’s truly a blessing because I love being in this place, I love being in the locker room with the guys around… that I love the most,” said Cook, via Chris Tomasson.

Cook said his agent called him on Saturday morning with news that they had finalized his contract. 

“I knew they were having talks, I knew they were having meetings and stuff but he called me this morning and let me know,” said Cook, via Tomasson. 

Cook said he is still mentally processing his extension ahead of the Week 1 season opener. 

“I was very excited. I’m still processing it and getting ready for a game so everything is going through my mind but I’m enjoying it with my family. It’s just a great time for me and my family and the Vikings,” said Cook, via Tomasson. 

Regarding his negotiations, Cook added that the Vikings had an initial price and the two sides talked until coming to an agreement. 

“They started at what they wanted to start. … Everybody had to just get to a certain point. … We had time to get things done and everybody to see things clearly and we’re both seeing things clearly and I’m a Viking. I’ll be here,” said Cook, via Tomasson. 

Cook mentioned that he is reminding himself to stay prepared for Week 1. 

“I always told myself every day I woke up this week getting ready for the game, I just said, ‘Focus on the game, and as bad as you want to get a deal, you’ve got to focus on the game and the game plan.” I love football. That was my No. 1 priority,” said Cook, via Tomaasson. 

Cook called remaining in Minnesota a “security blanket” for his career and wanted to stay in the city. 

“I just want to play football and I want to be in Minnesota, and that was my security blanket… I love everything about this place. And that’s what it came down to for me,” said Tomasson.

Cook said that his new contract will not change his strong work ethic going forward. 

“It’s just being who I am and where I’m from and was brought up I’ll still be me. I work hard every day when I get up.. This is just a reward for all the hard work that’s been put in to this point,” said Cook, via Tomasson. 

• Cook confirmed that he wants to be a “Viking for life” after signing his five-year, $63 million contract, which included $28 million guaranteed and a $15 million signing bonus. (Tomasson)
• Adam Schefter reports that the Vikings restructured LB Eric Kendricks‘ contract by converting $6 million of his base salary into a signing bonus in order to create more cap space for RB Dalvin Cook‘s five-year, $63 million extension.