NFC North Notes: Packers, Lions, Boldin, Bears

Packers defensive tackle Mike Pennel‘s lawsuit against the NFL and NFLPA has been resolved, as Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal tweets. As such, the NFL has agreed to appoint third arbitrator to hear Pennel’s appeal of his impending 10-game suspension. That appeal hearing was originally supposed to take place tomorrow, but the meeting has now been postponed, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.

Here’s more from the NFC North:

  • In the midst of his 15th NFL season, Packers edge rusher Julius Peppers isn’t committing to playing in 2017, reports Jason Wilde of ESPN.com (Twitter link). “I’m not saying that I don’t want to play next year,” said Peppers. “I’m not saying that I do. I’m just saying that right now I don’t know.” The 36-year-old Peppers is having another solid season, as he’s posted 6.5 sacks while grading as the league’s No. 26 edge defender, according to Pro Football Focus. He’ll be a free agent at season’s end.
  • Veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin earned a $500K incentive bonus when the Lions won their eighth game of the season on Sunday, Field Yates of ESPN.com reports (Twitter link). Under the terms of the one-year deal he signed with Detroit, Boldin could possibly earn another $500K in not-likely-to-be-earned bonuses. Even in his age-36 season, Boldin is still producing, as he’s put up 52 receptions and six touchdowns this year.
  • Although they currently own the No. 4 overall pick in 2017 draft (pending the outcome of Monday Night Football), the Bears should focus on posting victories with their core rather than angling for a higher draft choice, argues Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun Times. Chicago is now 3-9 after beating San Francisco on Sunday, earning the win on the back of running back Jordan Howard‘s three touchdowns. Other recent acquisitions, such as quarterback Matt Barkley, defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, and linebacker Leonard Floyd also provided “glimmers of hope,” as Jahns writes.
View Comments (8)