NFC Notes: Ben Johnson, Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Allen, Bears, Packers, Vikings

Bears

After an exciting offseason that was headlined by the hiring of HC Ben Johnson, Bears President Kevin Warren expressed his eagerness to watch the team’s development in 2025. Chicago was busy again in free agency, and Warren talked about making the finances work for whatever the team needs to improve.

“I am really excited to watch this evolve from a group of really good players to a team,” Warren said, via Larry Mayer of the team’s website.

“I tell Ryan and coach all the time: ‘Just dream and forget about the financial cost and the resources for the time being. Tell us what is the right thing to do for this franchise and then we can figure out how to make it happen.’ I want to create an environment that has creativity, that is diligent, that is hard working and does not start off thinking, ‘Oh no, we will never be able to do that.'”

Through the early phases of the relationship between Johnson and GM Ryan Poles, Warren believes they are completely aligned because of their high football knowledge and passion for the game.

“They are the same person. They are very bright, their intelligence level is high, they are curious, they have a high football IQ, they are winners, they are family men, they are similar in age and their journey was similar.

“They love the game of football. They love the Bears. They have a lot of similar attributes, and I think now they know they are in an environment where they can write their own future, and we have got the greatest fan base that we are building this for.”

Packers

• Packers HC Matt LaFleur on new signing Isaiah Simmons: “He’s a very talented player and he’s played a lot of ball in this league. … The thing you love about him is he has a lot of versatility and can do a lot of different things. In New York, situationally, he was (used) all over the place.” (Weston Hodkiewicz)
• LaFleur said Simmons was endorsed by S Xavier McKinney: “I asked X, and X gave him two thumbs up. That is meaningful though, when you have a player coming from New York. He said he was a great teammate, and that’s all I needed to hear.” (Ryan Wood)
• LaFleur on the status of WR Christian Watson: “He’s been outstanding. Great attitude and he’s working hard. That’s all you can ask of anybody.” (Hodkiewicz)
• As for CB Jaire Alexander, LaFleur noted he isn’t taking part in voluntary in-person work: “I just know we’re trying to work through it.” (Matt Schneidman)
• Packers TE John FitzPatrick‘s one-year, $1,500,000 deal includes a $125,000 signing bonus, a base salary of $1,130,000, up to $170,000 in per-game roster bonuses, and a workout bonus of $75,000. (OverTheCap)

Vikings

The Vikings made considerable investments in their defensive and offensive lines, adding DL Jonathan Allen, DT Javon Hargrave, C Ryan Kelly and G Will Fries. Regarding...