INDIANAPOLIS — All 32 NFL teams are represented at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine, including a trio of Vikings rivals.
Top brass from the Packers, Lions and Bears met with the media over the last few days to give an update on their respective teams.
Here's a roundup at what each team had to say from Indianapolis:
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay, which went 10-6 and won the NFC North, holds the 29th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Packers Executive Vice President, General Manager & Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson and Head Coach Mike McCarthy spoke to the media Wednesday from the Combine.
Thompson spoke to how challenging the NFC North is on a yearly basis.
"This division is extraordinarily competitive, extraordinarily difficult. I don't think it's appreciated enough," Thompson said. "But that's our huge goal starting out the season. We want to do certain things, and certainly winning our division and controlling our division and getting into the playoffs is one of the steps we're trying to do here.
"Sometimes it's Chicago, sometimes it's (Minnesota), sometimes it's Detroit," Thompson said. "You just never know when it's coming from."
McCarthy was asked about a pair of Packers free agents: linebacker Nick Perry and running back Eddie Lacy.
"Nick had some injury issues in his early years, but Nick is a hell of a football player," McCarthy said. "He's a powerful man. I have a lot of love for Nick and what he's gone through.
"His first couple years, it was frustrating just to watch him go through the injuries," McCarthy added. "Hopefully we can get his contract worked out."
Lacy was put on injured reserve in October with an ankle injury.
"Love to have Eddie back. Eddie is working through his rehab down at the University of Alabama. Had a chance to visit with him about a week or so back," McCarthy said. "Once again, we're in the business phase. I don't really have anything for you.
"We want all of our free agents back. They're our guys," McCarthy added. "That's the way we view it from our program to them. But this is a business. It's never easy."
Detroit Lions
Detroit had one voice from Indianapolis, because Lions Head Coach Jim Caldwell did not speak to the media.
Lions Executive Vice President & General Manager Bob Quinn chatted with reporters Wednesday afternoon and offered his thoughts on a variety of topics.
Quinn said that while the Lions are busy with the offseason grind, they could also sign quarterback Matthew Stafford to a contract extension.
Stafford threw for 4,327 yards and 24 touchdowns with 10 interceptions in 2016 as the Lions made the playoffs as a Wild Card team.
"We have not talked to Matthew and his representatives. I think that's something that we will get to. We'll see how that goes," Quinn said. "We're kind of taking it one step at a time with the current free agent class, the current draft class.
"I mean, these things don't usually happen in April or May, that's not a realistic timeline for an extension for a quarterback," Quinn added. "But that's something we do have on the agenda, and we'll hopefully be able to have some discussions."
Quinn noted that that Detroit's top priority this season will be improving a defense that finished 13th in points allowed per game (22.4) and 18th in yards allowed per game (354.8). The Lions had 10 interceptions, the fourth-fewest in the league.
"I think we need more playmakers, bottom line. Whether that's on the offensive side of the ball or the defensive side of the ball," Quinn said. "You know, we didn't really – I think we were in the bottom five in the league in interceptions, so I think that's an area that we need to improve.
"That's just not the corners," Quinn added. "That's the linebackers, that's the safeties, that's the defensive line putting pressure on the quarterback, so I think it's the whole team defense thing that kind of helps your guys that are in the secondary in the second level of the defense be able to make plays that can change games."
Chicago Bears
Chicago holds the No. 3 overall pick after finishing with a 3-13 record.
Bears Head Coach John Fox spoke to reporters Monday, but Bears General Manager Ryan Pace did not.
Fox mainly talked about Chicago's offense, including the status of quarterback Jay Cutler, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and running back Jordan Howard.
Fox said that he's been impressed by Cutler's competitive attitude over the past few years.
"I think again, the perception in the building may be a little different than outside from what I've gathered," Fox said. "But I think he's very smart; he's a very tough
competitor.
"I think he's had to deal with some injuries; unfortunately, they're part of football," Fox added. "But he's bounced back quickly from all the ones we've experienced in the last two years. But I think the competitive nature of Jay, I've been very impressed with."
The Bears chose not to use the franchise tag on Jeffrey, meaning the wide receiver is eligible to become a free agent when the league year opens Thursday at 3 p.m. (CT).
Fox said the organization hopes the two sides can work out a deal.
"Well, I'd say he knows us better than anybody else he could potentially go to," Fox said. "I think it's a positive feeling. With these things, it comes
down to the market value.
"It's like walking into a store right now at this time of year and there's no price tags," Fox added. "We kind of develop that moving forward. My experience has been that it's a very fluid process."
A constant for the Bears moving forward will be Howard, who ran for 1,313 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie.
"He's definitely made a real positive impression on everybody not just on the field but the way … his humility, how he kind of handles some success early on as a rookie," Fox said. "I think says a lot about his football character and type of guy he is."
