NFL Notes: 49ers, Bears, Cowboys, Lions, & Vikings

49ers

• Jeff Dickerson heard that veteran LB Lance Briggs was close to signing with the 49ers at one point. However, the two sides were unable to agree on the money.

Bears

• Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago spoke to one NFL personnel director this week who mentioned that Bears TE Martellus Bennett “does not have much trade value.” According to Dickerson’s source, the fact that Bennett wants a new contract will be a major issue when it comes to trading him. In the end, Bennett’s best course of action may be to play out the year and hope for a new contract in 2016.

Cowboys

• Todd Archer of ESPN mentions that rookie pass-rushers generally don’t have immediate success in the NFL, so expecting huge numbers from Randy Gregory probably isn’t realistic.
• Archer proposes signing CB Brandon Carr to an extension, rather than releasing him outright as a way to deal with his cap figure. Archer seems to be getting the impression that the Cowboys may be fine with keeping Carr at his current price, considering that they really don’t need the cap space right now.
• Archer believes CB Orlando Scandrick is deserving of a new deal and suggests a deal that would pay him something in the $5 million-$6 million per year range as what would make sense for him.

Lions

• Michael Rothstein writes that rookie RB Ameer Abdullah may not begin the season as any more than a third-down or change-of-pace back. However, Abdullah could serve as the team’s primary returner and eventually end up in a time share with Joique Bell by midseason.
• Even though the Lions brought in veteran WRs Lance Moore and Greg Salas this past week, Rothstein writes that there’s no guarantee either of them make the team.
• According to Rothstein, contract negotiations between the Lions and DT Haloti Ngata have been quiet. Rothstein believes the Lions should try to get a reasonable extension in place with Ngata before the season, but he isn’t sure if this is actually part of their plans.

Vikings

• ESPN’s Ben Goessling writes that Vikings S Harrison Smith is an obvious candidate for a contract extension and can see the team getting something done with him in the next year.
• Goessling mentions that K Blair Walsh and WR Jarius Wright could be more “immediate priorities” for the Vikings in regards to a contract extensions.
• Other names to keep an eye on, according to Goessling are LT Matt Kalil, CB Xavier Rhodes, and WR Mike Wallace.
• Goessling believes Joe Berger may have the inside track to be the team’s starting left guard heading into OTAs.
• Rookie OL T.J.Clemmings could begin working out a number of positions. Although, the Vikings reportedly told Clemmings that they view him as a tackle.