The Facts: Ryan Pace’s Saints played the Falcons twice a year, so the Bears GM knows what he’s getting in Rodgers. He might just be getting less of him — the team’s new running back plans to play about eight or 10 pounds lighter this season than last. “I’m focused on cutting weight, becoming more quicker, working on my speed,” he said Wednesday, one day after signing a one-year deal.

Diehards Line: For what it's worth, Rodgers said he and the Bears coaching staff didn’t have in-depth talks about his role when he traveled to Halas Hall on Tuesday. The goal, he said, is to find a way on the field. That hasn’t always been easy for running backs playing behind Matt Forte. Michael Bush had 63 carries as Forte’s backup in 2013. And despite an abundance of garbage time last season, rookie Ka’Deem Carey was the only other running back to take a handoff -- and he had only 36. In four years with the Falcons — in which Rodgers ran 305 times for 1,116 yards and caught 155 passes for 1,104 yards — he said he learned two key tenets from RBs coach Gerald Brown: hang onto the ball and protect the passer. They'll continue to serve Rodgers well. If he gets on the field.