NFL Notes: Bears, Packers, Panthers, Saints, & Vikings

Bears

Bears DE Willie Young told Michael C. Wright of ESPN several months ago that he would try to recruit DT Ndamukong Suh to come to Chicago.

“I could see myself doing that. It just depends on, obviously, it’s gonna come down to a business standpoint for him in particular,” Young said. “But at the end of the day, we’ve got some good guys here right now. He could come and join me. He could come and join what we’re about to build over here in Chicago. We would appreciate it. We would like to have him.”

• Wright doesn’t see the Bears implementing a 3-4 defensive front under their new leadership because of how large an undertaking it is for the personnel department.

Packers

• Rob Demovsky writes that the Packers wouldn’t have kept QB Scott Tolzien on the roster all year if they didn’t think he had a chance to be the long-term No. 2 quarterback.
• Demovsky mentions that based on the team’s history, they are unlikely to draft a quarterback next year.

Panthers

• David Newton puts the odds of DE Greg Hardy being back in Carolina next season at “10 percent.”
• Newton doesn’t see the Panthers bringing back RB DeAngelo Williams next year.
• According to Newton, if the Panthers spend big money in free agency on one position it will be at left tackle or a defensive lineman.

Saints

• Mike Triplett writes that DL Brodrick Bunkley, LB David Hawthorne, WR Marques Colston, G Jahri Evans, G Ben Grubbs and LB Curtis Lofton could all be cap casualties this offseason.
• Triplett doesn’t rule out the Saints trading back in this year’s draft if an opportunity presents itself.

Vikings

• Ben Goessling believes the Vikings should start by addressing their linebacker depth this offseason.
• Another area of need according to Goessling, is a safety who can line up against opposing receivers.
• Cornerback and defensive end could also be on their radar as well.
• Goessling mentions that LB Jasper Brinkley would be cheap to re-sign as a backup, and he could see them bringing back G Joe Berger next year.
• According to Goessling, the Vikings could try to get a contract extension in place for S Harrison Smith.
• Goessling doesn’t rule out the Vikings signing WR Josh Gordon in the event the Browns cut him this offseason.