The NFC North’s latest training camp news came with injuries, contract money, and a few early depth-chart tells, but the biggest financial moves landed in Green Bay and Minnesota.
The Packers locked up defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt on a three-year extension worth a base value of $54.9 million with $22.22 million guaranteed, including a $20 million signing bonus. Wyatt’s deal also brings a $7.3 million roster bonus on the third day of the 2027 league year and a $7.0 million roster bonus on the third day of the 2028 league year, plus salary escalators that can raise his earnings in 2028 and 2029.
On the same day, the Vikings worked out their own major commitment, giving right tackle Brian O’Neill a new contract that includes a $27.1 million signing bonus and fully guaranteed base salaries of $5.1 million in 2026 and $17.2 million in 2027. His deal also carries annual per-game roster bonuses worth up to $510,000, $100,000 workout bonuses each year, and base salary escalator clauses from 2027 through 2030.
The new contract drops O’Neill’s 2026 cap hit from $23.12 million to $14.74 million.
Green Bay also had Matt LaFleur talking about a rookie kicker and a possible return timetable for Micah Parsons. LaFleur said sixth-round kicker Trey Smack is “gonna be a work in progress,” and added that he told officials not to signal makes or misses during practice: “This is not our first time with a rookie kicker.
I know there’s gonna be some good and some he wants back.” Parsons said it was “very realistic” to play in Week 6 when the Cowboys come to town: “Is it possible?
Yes, so I wouldn’t say it’s not possible. At the same time, in the next 10, 12 weeks from now, we’ve got to make it possible by putting the work in.”
LaFleur also said tight end Tucker Kraft could take part in joint practice with the Cardinals if he hits all his benchmarks. And he said he likes Skyy Moore’s burst as a returner, while not ruling out offensive work for him as well.
There was also a notable personal update from Packers tackle Zach Tom, who is changing his name to Zach Bako-Bewele: “Especially when I start having kids, I want to have a name that I can pass down where it represents where they came from, where I came from.”
In Chicago, the Bears are sorting through some camp roles while one of their starting tackles just cashed in. Right tackle Darnell Wright said, “I know I’ll be here for a long time.
Hopefully my whole career.” One day later, he signed a four-year, $116 million extension with Chicago.
The Bears also have some moving parts on defense and along the line. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said DB Cameron Lewis will focus on safety after spending most of his time in the slot following S Coby Bryant’s knee injury.
ESPN’s Ben Solak noted that third-round tight end Sam Roush is already getting a heavy dose of first-team snaps as Chicago leans on a lot of three-tight end sets. Meanwhile, second-round center Logan Jones has not broken into the first-team rotation yet, and both Ben Johnson and Press Taylor have pointed to veteran center Garrett Bradbury.
Taylor put it bluntly: “It is not easy to play center in our scheme.”
There were also positive signs around the Bears’ passing game. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson said of Caleb Williams: “Caleb’s the best quarterback I’ve had since maybe Nick Foles if you want to go back that far.
Just as far as slinging it, he’s doing his thing. You can see the accuracy.
You can see the confidence throwing the ball in tight windows.” Wide receiver Luther Burden said he’s okay after staying down on the final play of practice.
Detroit’s camp has been hit harder by injuries. Dan Campbell said fourth-round linebacker Jimmy Rolder will be “out for a while” with a hamstring injury, though it’s not season-ending.
He also said second-round defensive end Derrick Moore will miss seven to 10 days with a minor groin strain. Offensive lineman Giovanni Manu is expected to be out 12-14 weeks with an undisclosed injury after being placed on NFI on Wednesday.
Campbell said running back Sione Vaki was poked in the eye and suffered a broken nose in a freak accident at Monday’s practice, and while he’ll miss time, Campbell thinks he’ll be okay. Tight end Anthony Firkser will also miss time with a fractured fibula.
On the defensive side, coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said of former cornerback Terrion Arnold: “He had No. 1 corner potential, but it’s still untapped. I’ll leave it at that.”
Minnesota’s offensive picture got a fresh read from Alec Lewis of The Athletic, who offered a thought on each rostered offensive player heading into camp. On quarterback Kyler Murray, Lewis said he “Enters 2026 with a golden opportunity to rewrite his career narrative.
Durability is the foremost priority. His intelligence and arm talent energized the Vikings staff this spring.
Leadership and decision-making are the current priorities.” On J.J.
McCarthy, Lewis wrote: “Consistency matters, and McCarthy, 23, showed improvement this spring. His connectivity with teammates is significant, too.
Layering passes remains a priority, but assessing his performance will be much easier than it was last year when juxtaposed with Sam Howell.”
Lewis also highlighted new receiver Jauan Jennings, saying teammates “lovingly called him a dirtbag this spring, and that’s what the Vikings need him to be. The more he sticks his face in the fan as a blocker, the better.”
He pointed to sixth-round back Demond Claiborne as a player who could be special if he masters the system, pass protection rules and ball security. Jordan Mason got a strong endorsement too: “underrate [RB Jordan Mason ] at your own risk” because of his missed-tackle rate and how often he reaches top speed.
Lewis said Kevin O’Connell trusts Aaron Jones to handle his job the right way, and he identified guard Donovan Jackson as a potential key to the line’s ceiling: “Because he is a guard - and a quiet one at that - Jackson’s growth in Year 2 will fly under the radar. His ascent, paired with Darrisaw, carries immense potential.”
Lewis also noted that O’Neill’s contract situation makes his early training camp participation worth watching, and said tight end T.J. Hockenson faces a “Critical season forthcoming.
Hockenson’s current contract voids after 2026. He is 29 years old.
Proving he can produce like he did pre-ACL tear could net another hefty deal.” Asked about a possible extension with two years left on his current deal, Vikings receiver Jordan Addison said: “Right now I’m being where my feet are.
I’m just putting in the work in right now, going through camp, making sure I’m becoming a better receiver, and I feel like everything is going to take care of itself.”
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