The Chicago Tribune expects the Bears to be "in line" if Jermichael Finley is released by the Packers.

Beat writer Vaughn McClure "hears" the Bears and Finley are viewed as a "great fit." The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Bob McGinn made the same allusion in his Monday article on Finley's future with Green Bay. The Pack would certainly prefer to keep Finley out of the NFC North if they decide to part ways, but won't have any say in where he goes if he's released instead of traded.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports the Packers' organization is "torn" on whether to retain Jermichael Finley for 2013.

The coaching staff and GM Ted Thompson favor keeping Finley, while "members of the personnel department" want him released. If the Packers did cut Finley, they could retain free agent Greg Jennings via the franchise tag. Meanwhile, extensions for Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews loom. Finley's 2013 cap number ($8.75 million) is slated to rank second to only Rodgers ($9.75 million) on the team.

After listening to coach Mike McCarthy's Combine presser, ESPN Milwaukee's Jason Wilde believes it's "almost impossible" to imagine the Packers parting ways with Jermichael Finley this offseason.

Finley underachieved (again) in 2012 and is owed a $3.5 million roster bonus next month, but it sounds like the Packers plan to pay it. "In the second half (of the season), I thought things started clicking and he looked like his old self," said McCarthy of Finley. "I was very pleased with the way he finished the year. ... When you look at Jermichael and you ... talk to any of the defensive guys that played against him, he's a matchup challenge for defenses."

Jermichael Finley puts his chances of remaining in Green Bay at "50/50."

"I would love to stay there," Finley said. "There's no doubt that I want to be there for life. But it's a business and the business will tell you otherwise." CBS' Jason La Canfora has reported Finley is not expected back with the Pack, but a league source tells the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel it's a "coin flip." The Green Bay Press-Gazette guessed in January that Finley would "almost certainly" be back. Finley is due a steep $8.25 million between salary and bonuses, but "50/50" seems an appropriate guess.

League sources tell CBS' Jason La Canfora that Jermichael Finley is not expected to be with the Packers next season.

Finley is owed a $3.5 million roster bonus in March in addition to his $4.45 million in 2013 base salary. Coming off a season in which he caught just 61 passes and two touchdowns in 16 games, we could certainly see the Pack moving on. However, some local reports have Finley sticking thanks to a mini-resurgence late in the season. Expect the Packers to hold off as long as possible on a decision here, in part so they can evaluate the health of potential replacement Andrew Quarless (torn ACL).

The Green Bay Press-Gazette believes Packers coach Mike McCarthy's Tuesday praise of Jermichael Finley means he'll "almost certainly" be back in 2013.

McCarthy said he felt "very good about way (Finley) finished the year," and that he was a "different man from the bye week on." Packers TEs coach Jerry Fontenot agreed. "As the season wore on you could see a more confident guy on the field," Fontenot said. "You could see a guy that once he got his hands on the ball he was running like a maniac. ... I see him definitely in an ascending mode." It's doubtful Fontenot would describe a player as "ascending" if he didn't expect him to be back. Finley is signed for $4.45 million in 2013, though he's due a hefty $3.5 million roster bonus in March

Coach Mike McCarthy expressed optimism about Jermichael Finley, emphasizing that his tight end was "different man from the bye week on."

"I feel very good about way he finished year," added McCarthy. "There was a change in that young man." McCarthy's comments suggest Finley has a good shot to retain his roster spot despite a mid-December report that he would not return to Green Bay "barring a shocking turn of events." Finley is due a $3.5 million roster bonus in March.

Despite at least one report to the contrary, Jermichael Finley believes he will be back in Green Bay for the final year of his contract in 2013.

"Hopefully, I'm here forever," Finley said. "I'm good for next year as far as I know." The Packers don't have a tight end ready to step in for Finley, but his $3.5 million roster bonus in March will be tough to swallow after another drop-prone inconsistent season. Finley is due a $4.45 million base salary on top of the roster bonus.

Jermichael Finley caught four balls for 35 yards in Green Bay's Divisional Round playof loss to San Francisco.

Finley's big play occurred late in the second quarter in Patrick Willis' coverage as Aaron Rodgers rocketed a 20-yard pass deep down the middle into Finley's big, waiting hands. The rest of his catches were made underneath. Although Finley picked up his production down the season's stretch, the Packers seem unlikely to exercise his $3.5 million offseason roster bonus. If not, he'd immediately become the most talented free agent available on a tight end market that will also include Jared Cook, Fred Davis, Dustin Keller, and Martellus Bennett.

Fox Sports Southwest confirms the Cowboys are "close" to hiring Monte Kiffin as defensive coordinator.

Jermichael Finley (hamstring) returned to practice on Tuesday.

Jermichael Finley sustained a hamstring injury in Saturday's playoff win over the Vikings, though coach Mike McCarthy doesn't believe it's serious.

Jermichael Finley caught one pass for ten yards in the Packers' first-round playoff win over the Vikings.

Finley dropped a would-be touchdown pass late in the first half after getting behind Vikings SS Harrison Smith's coverage. He was rarely heard from thereafter. Generally speaking, Finley has played solid football over the past six weeks, but he also seems to be a mental case capable of going in the tank at any moment.

Jermichael Finley (quadriceps) was upgraded to full participation in Thursday's practice.

Finley's swollen eye was a bigger issue than the quad early in the week, but he will be fine for Saturday's game. While quietly setting the single-season franchise record for receptions by a tight end, Finley has cleared 50 yards in five of the past six games.

Jermichael Finley (quadriceps) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Finley, Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, and James Starks were all limited in the session. Coming off his best game of the season in Week 17 versus the same Vikings team he'll face on Saturday, Finley is going to be out there. He's Rotoworld's No. 5 tight end for the playoffs.

Jermichael Finley's eye was nearly swollen shut by the end of the Week 17 game versus the Vikings.

"I couldn't see at all throughout the game," said a hyperbolic Finley. "And now, it's swelling up on me and seems like it's going to close up on me." Finley managed to rack up season-highs in receptions and yards with one good eye. We wouldn't expect this to be an issue by Saturday night.

Jermichael Finley posted season-highs in receptions (8) and yards (72) at Minnesota in Week 17.

Finley's nine targets were second only to Greg Jennings' 12. With six of the past seven games over 50 yards, Finley has regained a prominent offensive role entering the playoffs. Although a fantasy disappointment with just two touchdowns, Finley now owns the franchise's single-season record for receptions by a tight end. He finishes the regular season with a 61/667/2 stat line.

Jermichael Finley caught five passes for 70 yards in the Packers' Week 16 win over the Titans.

Ever since Finley's latest public complaint about his role, he's been productive. Over the last six games, he's averaged 54.0 yards per game and scored one touchdown. It's not enough for a player of his talent level, but it's a step in the right direction heading into next week's regular season finale.

Jermichael Finley says he wants to "be a Packer for life."

Jermichael Finley caught five of six targets for 61 yards at Chicago in Week 15.

His 31-yard catch down the seam in the fourth quarter tied Randall Cobb's leaping sideline grab for longest play of the game. Finley has reached 60 yards in three of the past five games after hitting the mark just once in the first nine games of the season. He remains a TE2 option for Week 16 versus the Titans.