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NFC North Rundown: Bears upgrade at DT as legal tampering period begins

Chicago added and subtracted defensive linemen within hours on Monday.

AFC Wild Card Playoffs - Las Vegas Raiders v Cincinnati Bengals Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Free agent frenzy is in full force for sports fans.

After the Major League Baseball lockout came to an end last week, the first wave of baseball free agency began. Yesterday, the National Football League followed suit as the legal tampering period commenced and several moves were quickly made.

The Green Bay Packers had an extremely active first day, with several players either leaving or re-signing with the franchise. Elsewhere across the NFC North, the Packers’ divisional counterparts were making moves of their own. Minnesota has seemingly put the Kirk Cousins rumors to bed, while Detroit is bringing back a pair of internal defensive free agents.

Today’s divisional rundown recaps those acquisitions and takes a visit to Chicago, where the Bears released two notable veterans and attempted to bolster its defensive line on Day One.

Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions re-sign S Tracy Walker, content keeping defense together for now

The Lions are banking on a second-consecutive productive season from Walker, keeping one of their starting safeties while continuing their search for another.

Lions’ Alex Anzalone re-signs with 2 others, looks to ‘leave a legacy’ in Detroit

A veteran linebacker wants to be part of a rebuilding Lions team that eventually gets back to the playoffs and is “competing in games that really matter.”

Alex Anzalone will ‘definitely’ help recruit Saints safety Marcus Williams if given permission

In the aforementioned search for another starting safety, perhaps Anzalone’s re-signing can help Detroit land one of his former teammates.


Chicago Bears

Source: Cincinnati Bengals DT Larry Ogunjobi to sign with Chicago Bears

Chicago moved swiftly to sign an interior defensive lineman coming off a career-best seven sacks last season.

Roster Move: Bears release NT Eddie Goldman

One lineman in, one lineman out. Ogunjobi will take on the role vacated by the longtime Bear Goldman.

Bears release RB Tarik Cohen with injury designation

Another player is leaving the Windy City, as Cohen, once a potential building block on offense, was released after a significant injury setback.


Minnesota Vikings

Kirk Cousins signing one-year, $35M extension with Vikings thru 2023

All the winter speculation finally comes to an end, as Minnesota committed to Cousins for at least another two seasons under a new head coach.

Vikings Tender Kicker Greg Joseph at One Year, $2.4 Million

Barring a sizable offer from another team, Minnesota will retain their kicker another year.

Vikings to sign DT Harrison Phillips

Like the Bears, the Vikings chose to add a piece along the defensive line immediately during free agency.