Brandon Marshall didn’t offer support for Marc Trestman on Monday because that’s what he’s supposed to do. The outspoken receiver did because he still believes in the beleaguered Bears coach.
“I’m not just backing up coach, I’m not backing up anybody,” Marshall said during his show on WMVP-AM (1000). “Honestly, I’m at a point in my career where I have a few years left in my career and I want to win.
“And I really believe the best formula for that is coach Trestman.”
Marshall said he wasn’t surprised the Bears opted against coaching changes, saying players also are responsible for their 3-6 record. He definitely had a less cryptic tone than compared to his comments on Sunday night, but he was in line with what other players were saying in Green Bay.
“Sometimes players think that ‘Oh, it’s the coaches,’ ” said Marshall, who had eight catches for 112 yards and a 45-yard touchdown. “We see coaches getting fired in situations like this. But our job is on the line, too. You know?”
Marshall’s left ankle was twisted when tackled in the fourth quarter. Marshall said afterward that should be OK to play against the Minnesota Vikings, and Trestman expressed the same a day later.
“We’re very optimistic based on talking to the trainers,” Trestman said.
Peterson vs. Bears?
The Bears still don’t know if they’ll be facing Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. The NFL responded to the NFL Players Association’s expedited grievance to reinstate Peterson, saying in a statement it has not received requested information and that there will first be a hearing under its new personal conduct policy.
Peterson was placed on a special commissioner’s exempt list following his indictment on felony child abuse in Texas. Peterson pleaded no contest to a lesser charge of misdemeanor reckless assault.
Extra Packers points
One adjustment by the Packers’ defense that seemed to throw the Bears off was the decision to move outside linebacker Clay Matthews to the middle. Matthews led the Packers with 11 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack.
“[It was] a great job by our defensive staff with the creativity,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “He was outstanding.”
— Julius Peppers was a reserved player when he was with the Bears, but the end-turned-outside linebacker apparently delivered an inspiring pre-game speech for the Packers on Sunday.
— “He really explained how meaningful [the] game was,” tight end Andrew Quarless told reporters. “He brought up being on the other side of it. And he really just gave us the confidence to come out strong.”
