Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy met with the media on Monday for the first time in a week as the team got back from its bye and for the first time since his contract extension was announced.

The following are select comments from his press conference:

• Opening statements: As a football team, we covered a number of different things today. We did our review from New Orleans. We did our self-scout. Thirdly, we started on the Chicago Bears. … We also had our mandatory life-skills program conclude today.
• On his contract extension: I want to sound very thankful for offering an extension, to my wife Jessica and I. … I'm very thankful to all the players and coaches.
• On the timing of the extension: It's something that's been going on for some time, and it's been great to finalize it in the last week.
• On when he signed the contract: Recently, the last couple days.
• On T.J. Lang's ankle injury: I'll get into specifics Wednesday, but T.J. was in the rehab mode today.
• On reflecting on his career: I'm a young guy. I'm not thinking about theta end that's for sure. This is a great place. I"m veer blessed very fortunate to work here. … That's all I'm really thinking about is moving forward. Frankly, I'm a little uncomfortable talking about it this time of year. … We're foucsed on the Bears.
• On how he's different as a coach: I think a number of things. You go back to the starting point. There's a vision, there's a plan. I've been asked a number of times, what's the best attribute of ted Thompson. It's his consistency. … I think we're able to disagree and get to the right spot.
• On what he's learned: I think you have to always look at yourself first, alway improve. … I think if you look at the way we operate today as opposed to last year, Ted, myself, listen to our trainers, coaches on how to improve. … Heck, we've had a new facility every year since we've been here. We're on our fourth cafeteria, second weight room.
• On what's different from the beginning of his career: I'm older. I'm definitely more experienced. When you're younger, you have an idea. But you realize you have more to learn than you want to admit. … I think you have to stick to your guns and push forward through the tough times. … Just staying the course, I look at some of the tough times we've had here, and I think that's when Ted is at his best.
• On his experiences in coaching: A lot of things. I look back at the first year, you have the opportunity to get the job and go to the first press conference, that's an experience in itself. …. Your first day on the job, you have to let the old staff go. … There's so many experiences you go through that you're not prepared for. There's not a book on this.
• On being four wins away from Vince Lombardi: I think you win 100 games in this league as  head coach, I think that's a milestone. I'm not going to compare myself to Coach Lombardi, let's be real. … The foundation is built. Ted Thompson, Mark Murphy, my responsibility, Aaron Rodgers and the players' responsibility, leave it better than you arrive.
• On his legacy: I don't view it. I don't think about it. I think any time you're given an opportunity to lead a team, you max it out. … I'm the head coach of the 2014 Packers. I'm trying to max out this opportunity.
• On Aaron Rodgers' hamstring injury: Aaron did everything today.
• On Rodgers' practice status: He looked good. He went through the workout today.
• On both the Packers and the Bears coming off a bye: I think it makes it more challenging. Anytime you play your second time division wise, it will be different. … I think you have to anticipate some unscouted looks and things like that. It's all part of the challenge.
• On the rest of the season: As we talked in the past, we break the season down into quarters. We get three out of the next four at home. That's great. … It's always a big game against the Bears. This will be a great opportunity.
• On the makeup of the team: That's something you spend a lot of time during the bye, more than other weeks. Ted was on the road a lot last week. … There may be some changes. We're making progress. A number of our young guys have jumped out of the box and contributed.
• On Sam Shields and Morgan Burnett: Sam looked good today. … Morgan went through everything.
• On Monday's practice: We were in the Hutson Center. It was more of an offseason type of day. We split the offense and defense up.
• On Matt Forte: He's a complete back. I think if you talk about running backs, do they play first, second and third down? … He's outstanding out of the backfield and in their protection scheme.