The Packers were unable to reach an extension agreement with Davante Adams, leading to a blockbuster trade following a franchise tag. Brian Gutekunst would prefer the Jaire Alexander process conclude before a potential Alexander tag comes into play. The fifth-year Packers GM said the team “would love” to extend Alexander this offseason, via The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman (on Twitter). Gutekunst confirmed the Packers and Alexander are in talks, which became known earlier this month, and said the discussions could continue throughout the year. Alexander finds himself in an interesting position, coming off a season a shoulder injury mostly nullified. But the one-time Pro Bowler is still eyeing a top-market extension. Alexander figures to face a decision on playing out a contract year ahead of a potential tag or taking long-term security — at likely a slightly lower price — before the season.
Here is the latest from the NFC North:
- Larry Ogunjobi was onboard with the Bears for fewer than five days, with the team nixing the defensive tackle’s deal due to a failed physical. New Bears GM Ryan Poles is open to agreeing to another contract with Ogunjobi, per ESPN.com’s Courney Cronin, who notes the failed physical stemmed from the former Browns and Bengals D-lineman’s surgically repaired right foot (Twitter link). Ogunjobi suffered a foot injury during the Bengals’ wild-card win. Poles noted the Bears’ deal with Ogunjobi prevented them from adding other free agents during the legal tampering period, per Adam Jahns of The Athletic (subscription required).
- Viewing Trevor Siemian as a better fit in the offense Luke Getsy is installing, Poles said (via Jahns) he hopes a Nick Foles trade emerges in the near future. But nothing is on the horizon, continuing this holding pattern for the former Super Bowl MVP. Foles is due a $4MM base salary in 2022, the final year of his contract. Foles has the Bears’ fourth-largest cap number ($10.7MM); a trade would let the Bears off the hook for Foles’ salary but still hand the team a $6MM-plus dead-money charge.
- Although the Bears gutted their front seven by trading Khalil Mack, cutting Danny Trevathan and not re-signing Akiem Hicks, Poles said the team is not planning to move on from Robert Quinn. No Quinn trade scenario has come up, Poles said (via Jahns, on Twitter). Quinn’s $17.1MM cap figure is the largest on the Bears’ 2022 payroll. Despite going into his age-32 season, Quinn boosted his trade value last year by breaking Richard Dent‘s franchise single-season sack record.
- Prior to Chandon Sullivan‘s Vikings agreement, the Packers made a late push to keep him, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweets. Sullivan spent the past three seasons with the Packers, who have a need at slot cornerback thanks to his defection to a division rival. The Broncos also pursued Sullivan but signed K’Waun Williams days before news of Sullivan’s Vikings agreement surfaced.
- The Lions will primarily use a 4-3 defense next season, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press notes. Detroit started last season by changing to a 3-4 look, but Aaron Glenn‘s unit adjusted a bit down the stretch. Prior to last season, the Lions had used a 4-3 look for many years.
The Ogunjobi signing was ridiculous, and they’re lucky the physical bailed them out of it. Wanting someone to play the DeForest Buckner role in a defense doesn’t mean you should find a mediocre player in that mold and pay him like he’s up to the task.
And I’m pretty sure the Lions were planning to go 4-3 a lot of the time when they drafted DTs in the second and third rounds of the draft last year.
I don’t know if the 4-3 was the plan the whole time. I think their personnel kind of pushed them there this year. They have more players that play better with their hand on the ground then standing up.
I do agree the 2 DTs made it look like their plan was to go to the 4-3. I think Levi Onwuzurike will thrive better and this will give Alim McNeil more opportunities to get to the passer. The biggest benefactor will be Derrick Barnes.
If I was the Lions, I’d do the unthinkable @ pick 2 and draft JOrdanDAvis.Imagine DAvis & ALim @ the DT spots clogging up the middle against the run.That would be a VERY big reach but worth the gamble.I don’t think DAvis would make it past Atlanta.If not Thibodeaux would be the pick @ 2.Hope we acquire some good players in this draft,it’s a very deep class.Let Holmes do his thing.
Never in a million years do they draft a DT at 2. Don’t be shocked and call the Giants after they draft an OT and force them to trade for their player. I am not 100% sold on the Jags taking a DE. They have 3 outstanding T on the board that will protect their franchise QB for 8 years. Why risk his health?
If they do draft JDavis @ 2 ,I’d buy u lunch… lol. Stranger things have happened. But I think they gone draft Thibs @ 2. They better…@fter that I really don’t care how the draft goes.