Tag: NFC North

Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (56) slaps hands with fans as he rides a bicycle to a joint practice with the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

NFC North Primer: Packers push Lions, Bears looming

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ben Johnson jumped from his gig as the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions to become head coach of the Chicago Bears in a move that could create a seismic shift in the NFC North.

But that leap is bound to take some time as the Bears celebrate 40 years since the Super Bowl Shuffle.

The Bears are competitors on paper, and excitement for the Monster of the Midway to return to the playoffs might be tempered only by the reigning beast of the North in Detroit.

The Lions dominated the conference even in the face of a revolving-door plan on defense caused by major injuries. Now without Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, hired to become head coach of the Jets, more falls to head coach Dan Campbell and 2024 MVP candidate quarterback Jared Goff to keep the talented roster churning forward.

One roadblock to consider is a loaded defense in Green Bay, where Jordan Love is coming off of preseason thumb surgery, but the Packers acquired All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys.

And the only team to make a change at quarterback is the Minnesota Vikings.

J.J. McCarthy replaces Sam Darnold after a virtual redshirt rookie season prompted by knee surgery last summer. A first-round selection in the 2024 draft, McCarthy steps into an offense with Justin Jefferson as the WR1.

1. Green Bay Packers (11-6 predicted record)
2025 Schedule
W1 Sun Sep 7 vs Detroit Lions
W2 Thu Sep 11 vs Washington Commanders
W3 Sun Sep 21 at Cleveland Browns
W4 Sun Sep 28 at Dallas Cowboys
W5 Bye
W6 Sun Oct 12 vs Cincinnati Bengals
W7 Sun Oct 19 at Arizona Cardinals
W8 Sun Oct 26 at Pittsburgh Steelers
W9 Sun Nov 2 vs Carolina Panthers
W10 Mon Nov 10 vs Philadelphia Eagles
W11 Sun Nov 16 at New York Giants
W12 Sun Nov 23 vs Minnesota Vikings
W13 Thu Nov 27 at Detroit Lions
W14 Sun Dec 7 vs Chicago Bears
W15 Sun Dec 14 at Denver Broncos
W16 Sat Dec 20 at Chicago Bears
W17 Sun Dec 27 vs Baltimore Ravens
W18 Sun Jan 4 at Minnesota Vikings

Predicted Breakout Player: If you paid attention to the Packers last season, you’ve already seen the relentless effort and profound impact linebacker Edgerrin Cooper can have on this overlooked defense. He’s more than capable of being on All-Pro lists this season with the attention of blocking schemes elsewhere. One notch below, DE Lukas Van Ness is one of the immediate beneficiaries to the Packers moving Kenny Clark in the Parsons trade. He has the athletic tools and upside to emerge as a consistent pass-rush threat if Parsons is healthy and producing at his predicted level.

Holiday chopping: All bets are off in the North standings until mid-December, when this bloodbath gets real. If the Packers make a push to the postseason, all appearances of the final seven games of the season would support the belief that they will have earned it. Starting with the Vikings at Lambeau before a short-week Thanksgiving trip to Detroit and two dates with the Bears, the AFC crossover games with 2024 playoff teams — Denver and Baltimore — stand as a stern challenge for even a top-rated roster.

2. Detroit Lions (11-6 predicted record)
2025 Schedule
W1 Sun Sep 7 at Green Bay Packers
W2 Sun Sep 14 vs Chicago Bears
W3 Sun Sep 22 at Baltimore Ravens
W4 Sun Sep 28 vs Cleveland Browns
W5 Sun Oct 5 at Cincinnati Bengals
W6 Sun Oct 12 at Kansas City Chiefs
W7 Mon Oct 20 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
W8 Bye
W9 Sun Nov 2 vs Minnesota Vikings
W10 Sun Nov 9 at Washington Commanders
W11 Sun Nov 16 at Philadelphia Eagles
W12 Sun Nov 23 vs New York Giants
W13 Thu Nov 27 vs Green Bay Packers
W14 Thu Dec 4 vs Dallas Cowboys
W15 Sun Dec 14 at Los Angeles Rams
W16 Sun Dec 21 vs Pittsburgh Steelers
W17 Thu Dec 25 at Minnesota Vikings
W18 Sun Jan 4 at Chicago Bears

Predicted Breakout Player: WR Jameson Williams ran into multiple self-inflicted wounds and stunted his growth to a certain extent, but the former first-round pick is evolving quickly from a one-trick deep threat. He’ll still be a concern for backpedaling cornerbacks and those challenges might multiply rapidly if Williams proves a disciplined route-runner on explosive in-cutting routes as advertised.

Meet the new boss: Campbell continues to use the external concern over changing coordinators as internal motivation. He believes the roster has improved and with a healthy Aidan Hutchinson, it’s hard to argue Detroit’s defense will have more bite.

3. Chicago Bears (10-7 predicted record)
Schedule
W1 Mon Sep 8 vs Minnesota Vikings
W2 Sun Sep 14 at Detroit Lions
W3 Sun Sep 21 vs Dallas Cowboys
W4 Sun Sep 28 at Las Vegas Raiders
W5 Bye
W6 Mon Oct 13 at Washington Commanders
W7 Sun Oct 19 vs New Orleans Saints
W8 Sun Oct 26 at Baltimore Ravens
W9 Sun Nov 2 at Cincinnati Bengals
W10 Sun Nov 9 vs New York Giants
W11 Sun Nov 16 at Minnesota Vikings
W12 Sun Nov 23 vs Pittsburgh Steelers
W13 Fri Nov 28 at Philadelphia Eagles
W14 Sun Dec 7 at Green Bay Packers
W15 Sun Dec 14 vs Cleveland Browns
W16 Sat Dec. 20 vs Green Bay Packers
W17 Sun Dec 28 at San Francisco 49ers
W18 Sun Jan 4 vs Detroit Lions

Mr. Williams’ neighborhood: Thriving in unrehearsed situations is an ingredient for greatness in quarterbacks and, hoo boy, did Caleb Williams go through it as a rookie. Even with a handful of coaching changes — which necessitated multiple play-caller switches — Williams challenged Aaron Rodgers’ record for pass attempts without an interception and kept Chicago in more games than the Bears probably deserved to be in. Under Johnson, the sharp-edged attention to detail could spell instant returns — and wins — for the 2024 No. 1 overall pick.

Living on the edge: Is there enough of a pass rush in place for the Bears to rattle the elite quarterbacks on their schedule? One reason pundits are picking against Chicago contending is the uncertain production from their defensive ends. Montez Sweat wins consistently but without a sidekick, can they get home enough? GM Ryan Poles wrote big checks to bring in defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who is well into the back nine of his career at age 32, and Dayo Odeyingbo (6-5, 282) is the starter at left end opposite Sweat. He’s big, powerful and can win one-on-one, but don’t bet on him becoming the difference-maker on defense.

4. Minnesota Vikings (8-9 predicted record)
Schedule
W1 Mon, Sep 8 at Chicago Bears
W2 Sun, Sep 14 vs Atlanta Falcons
W3 Sun, Sep 21 vs Cincinnati Bengals
W4 Sun, Sep 28 at Pittsburgh Steelers (Dublin, IE)
W5 Sun, Oct 5 at Cleveland Browns (London, UK)
W6 Bye
W7 Sun Oct 19 vs Philadelphia Eagles
W8 Thu Oct 23 at Los Angeles Chargers
W9 Sun Nov 2 at Detroit Lions
W10 Sun Nov 9 vs Baltimore Ravens
W11 Sun Nov 16 vs Chicago Bears
W12 Sun Nov 23 at Green Bay Packers
W13 Sun Nov 30 at Seattle Seahawks
W14 Sun Dec 7 vs Washington Commanders
W15 Sun Dec 14 at Dallas Cowboys
W16 Sun Dec 21 at New York Giants
W17 Thu Dec 25 vs Detroit Lions
W18 Sun Jan 4 vs Green Bay Packers

Predicted Breakout Player: J.J. McCarthy (QB) — Despite being unproven, many analysts expect McCarthy to make a leap as the Vikings’ starter, with his development being a key storyline. No single standout named in sources, but his role as QB with upside suggests breakout potential.

Running men: Aaron Jones was a solid addition for the Vikings after being released by the Packers before last season, but Minnesota’s ground game remained mediocre (93.4-yard average per game). Signing Jordan Mason in free agency after his breakout season with the 49ers and the return of tone-setting left tackle Christian Darrisaw sparks optimism for the rushing attack to be a featured part of the scheme. Minnesota also signed free agents Ryan Kelly, a former Pro Bowl center with the Colts, and his teammate in Indy, new right guard Will Fries, to bolster the front five.

–Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) gets forced out of bounds by Detroit Lions linebackers Jack Campbell (46) and Alex Anzalone (34) in the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

NFC North: 2024 Outlook, Preview, Predictions

Posted on | by Field Level Media

NFC North division preview

2024 predicted order of finish, record
Detroit Lions (12-5)
Playmakers and power in the trenches take the offense to another level. If the young secondary holds up, competing for home-field advantage isn’t out of the question.

Green Bay Packers (12-5)
Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs drive a dynamic offense and Green Bay’s new-look defense might end up making even more noise.

Chicago Bears (9-8)
Everything is looking up in Chicago with Caleb Williams at the controls. Double-digit wins for the first time since 2018 is a bridge too far.

Minnesota Vikings (7-10)
Head coach Kevin O’Connell was dealt a rough hand with the Kirk Cousins exit and J.J. McCarthy’s season-ending knee surgery.

–NFC North MVP candidates
Lions QB Jared Goff
GM Brad Holmes hitched the franchise to Goff with a massive contract that spells out Detroit’s belief in the maligned quarterback in big, round numbers. Goff’s 2023 season bordered on special with 30 TD passes and 4,575 yards. An elite No. 1 receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown and a rising talent at tight end, Sam LaPorta, helps while the muscle up front and run-first mentality of head coach Dan Campbell promises balance to test any defensive scheme.

Packers QB Jordan Love
Send your apology letters to GM Brian Gutekunst at his Lambeau Field office if you were among those who labeled Love a bust in the first half of last season, when he was trending toward being good enough to lose close games. But Love isn’t the anti-Aaron Rodgers in performance after all. Instead, the evolving talent takes a next step in stride with an underrated cadre of wide receivers.

Packers RB Josh Jacobs
Two years removed from leading the NFL in rushing, Jacobs is the player the Packers want on the field after a timeshare approach in the backfield most of the 2023 season. A better receiver than most understand, the only roadblock to a massive season appears to be durability.

–NFC North breakout players
Bears RB-WR-RS Velus Jones Jr.
Nobody suggests he’ll take work from D’Andre Swift or DJ Moore. Taking advantage of Jones’ quickness and speed is the goal. He was used as a wide receiver, running back and returner in training camp. Don’t be surprised if he throws one, too.

Lions MLB Jack Campbell
Height, range and speed are the qualities Campbell combines to draw comparisons to some of the best modern-day versatile playmakers at the position.

Lions WR Jameson Williams
When the Lions jumped 20 spots in the 2022 draft to select Williams, the belief was he had No. 1 wide receiver potential. A speed threat with acrobatic athleticism, he’s had moments of brilliance as a downfield target. Teammates and coaches relayed a shared opinion from training camp that a more focused and mature Williams could be in for a huge season.

Packers TE Luke Musgrave
A lacerated kidney cost Musgrave six games as a rookie. He has size and speed to exploit the middle of the field and keep defenses honest as they crowd the line of scrimmage to contain Jacobs.

Packers FS Javon Bullard
The 58th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Bullard’s role in Green Bay’s new-look defense will be varied and bring ample chances to make a massive impact.

Vikings RB Ty Chandler
Aaron Jones signed as a free agent to start in Minnesota with Chandler knocking on the door for a defined role. At the outset of the season, that includes kick return duties. He’ll open eyes and dig into Jones’ hold on the every-down role if he stays healthy.

Vikings OLB Dallas Turner
A rookie with a veteran’s approach to the pass-rushing role, Turner should blossom under the tutelage of Brian Flores.

Week 1 outlook
Packers vs. Eagles, Friday, 8:15 p.m. ET (Brazil)
Playoff participants in January take the rare Friday Night Lights spotlight in Brazil. Hyper-active roster remodeling is nothing new for Howie Roseman and the Eagles, who’ll introduce Saquon Barkley at running back and hope the reconfigured back end of the defense — highlighted by first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell — stands tall behind a stronger pass rush. The Packers picked up their own elite RB, signing Josh Jacobs to complement Jordan Love.

Bears vs. Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
A planned grand unveiling of new franchise quarterback Caleb Williams and his array of receivers against first-year coach Brian Callahan of the Titans, who’d like nothing more than to shift the gathering into Will Levis’ coming-out party. A shootout isn’t out of the question but the Bears’ defense was dominant the final six games of the 2023 season and might be due more attention.

Lions vs. Rams, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
A rematch of the January divisional playoff reunion with Matt Stafford at Ford Field, Detroit will be bouncing for the primetime opener as the Lions launch their mission to repeat as the dominant predator in the NFC North and beyond. The Rams lost their top defensive player — DT Aaron Donald retired — but the Lions’ young secondary is in for a stiff test facing Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, who is over a knee injury that bogged down his August.

Vikings at Giants, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Sam Darnold is back in his original home stadium. The No. 3 pick in the 2018 draft flatlined with the Jets, fell behind with the Panthers and rode the clipboard as Brock Purdy’s backup in San Francisco last season. Sunday, he’ll get the call as the QB1 in Week 1 for the first time since beating the Jets in Carolina to start the 2021 season. A main attraction is the pairing of LSU products Justin Jefferson (Vikings) and Malik Nabers (Giants), top targets capable of putting on a show if their QBs cooperate.

–Field Level Media

NFC North: Preseason Grades and Analysis

Posted on | by National Football Post

CHICAGO BEARS

Key Acquisitions: WR Allen Robinson, TE Trey Burton, WR Taylor Gabriel, LB Roquan Smith, OLB Aaron Lynch, C/G James Daniels, WR Anthony Miller, QB Chase Daniel, K Cody Parkey

Key Losses: OG Josh Sitton, LB Jerrell Freeman, WR Kendall Wright, DT Mitch Unrein, QB Mike Glennon, OLB Pernell McPhee, OLB Willie Young, OLB Lamarr Houston, LB Christian Jones, OG Tom Compton, WR Dontrelle Inman

Chicago had an awfully busy offseason, driven by the goal of getting 2017 first-rounder Mitchell Trubisky the infrastructure he needs to succeed. First came the hiring of former Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy as head coach –he’ll bring a system filled with simple reads and misdirection to generate easy completions.

Then came the spending.

The Bears guaranteed an NFL-high $102.8 million to 16 players, with more than half that going to offensive weapons Allen Robinson ($25.2 million), Trey Burton ($22 million) and Taylor Gabriel ($14 million). The money was a little staggering, especially for the unproven Burton and Gabriel, but the trio immediately upgrades what was one of the league’s worst skill groups in 2017. The draft also brought Trubisky some help, with James Daniels likely to replace Josh Sitton at left guard and Anthony Miller capable of claiming a role.

The defense was kept largely intact with the re-signing of four cornerbacks, led by Kyle Fuller (four years, $56 million) and Prince Amukamara (three years, $27 million). First-rounder Roquan Smith will slot in immediately in the middle of Vic Fangio’s 3-4 defense, and Aaron Lynch — who played for Fangio as a rookie with the 49ers in 2014 — could be a bargain on a one-year deal for $4 million as a replacement for Pernell McPhee and Willie Young.

Our Take: The expenses were a bit lavish, but ponying up to help a young QB is more than understandable. — B+

 

DETROIT LIONS

Key Acquisitions: LB Devon Kennard, CB DeShawn Shead, C/G Frank Ragnow, RB LeGarrette Blount, RB Kerryon Johnson, TE Luke Willson, TE Levine Toilolo, LB Christian Jones, LB Jonathan Freeny, C Wesley Johnson, DT Sylvester Williams, OG Kenny Wiggins, QB Matt Cassel

Key Losses: TE Eric Ebron, TE Darren Fells, DT Haloti Ngata, LB Tahir Whitehead, C Travis Swanson, DT Akeem Spence, CB DJ Hayden, OT Greg Robinson, LB Paul Worrilow, S Don Carey

In his second year on the job, GM Bob Quinn dismissed Jim Caldwell and brought in former New England defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as head coach before churning the roster extensively. Detroit added 15 veterans, including 10 on one-year deals and four more on two-year pacts.

The major changes on offense came with an apparent focus on running the ball more effectively, as bruising backs LeGarrette Blount (free agent) and Kerryon Johnson (draft) will line up behind a line featuring first-rounder Frank Ragnow, and 2017 free agent signees T.J. Lang and Ricky Wagner. Tight ends Darren Fells and Eric Ebron were replaced by Luke Willson and Levine Toilolo, neither of whom has caught more than 20 passes in a season since 2014.

Defensively, the Lions signed multiple linebackers, including Devon Kennard, who will set a powerful edge against the run, a core principle of Patricia’s Patriots’ units. Those Pats defenses didn’t often prioritize dynamic-edge pass-rushers, which is worth watching in regard to Ezekiel Ansah’s future after he was franchise tagged. The Lions added little else on the edge this offseason, leaving mostly role players around Ansah. Detroit did keep its secondary intact,  re-signing Tavon Wilson and Nevin Lawson.

Our Take: On the edge of the playoff race last year, the Lions didn’t seem to get significantly better, as their changes feel more like a shuffling the deck than making meaningful upgrades. — B-

 

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Key Acquisitions: TE Jimmy Graham, DE/DT Muhammad Wilkerson, CB Tramon Williams, QB DeShone Kizer, TE Marcedes Lewis, CB Jaire Alexander, CB Josh Jackson, OT Byron Bell, P JK Scott

Key Losses: WR Jordy Nelson, S Morgan Burnett, TE Richard Rodgers, OG Jahri Evans, CB Damarious Randall, WR Jeff Janis

By the standards of Ted Thompson — who transitioned from GM to a senior advisor — the Packers’ offseason was downright electric under new GM Brian Gutekunst, who dipped his toe into free agency and moved up and down the board on draft night.

The release of longtime Aaron Rodgers confidante Jordy Nelson and the signing of Jimmy Graham feels like a wash. Both players are aging and would be best off playing with Rodgers, but Graham’s schematic impact might bring the dimensions that Martellus Bennett was supposed to bring last year. There were few other offensive changes, other than signing Marcedes Lewis and drafting a trio of later-round wideouts.

Defensively, the Packers turned over a secondary that has struggled despite heavy investments in recent years. Morgan Burnett and Damarious Randall are gone, while Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson arrived via the draft, and Tramon Williams and Davon House return. The group must improve for new coordinator Mike Pettine’s scheme to function. Muhammad Wilkerson could be one of the offseason’s best bargains (one year, $5 million) if motivated, but the front seven still lacks pass-rush pop as Clay Matthews, 32, ages.

Gutekunst deserves credit for extracting a 2019 first-round pick from New Orleans in a trade down, and DeShone Kizer isn’t a bad bet as a Rodgers’ insurance policy.

Our Take: Another pass-rusher would have been nice, but Gutekunst otherwise managed quite well in his first year at the helm. — B

 

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Key Acquisitions: QB Kirk Cousins, DT Sheldon Richardson, WR Kendall Wright, OG Tom Compton, QB Trevor Siemian, DT David Parry, CB Mike Hughes, OT Brian O’Neill, K Daniel Carlson

Key Losses: QB Case Keenum, QB Sam Bradford, QB Teddy Bridgewater, RB Jerick McKinnon, DT Tom Johnson, DT Shamar Stephen, WR Jarius Wright, LB Emmanuel Lamur, CB Tramaine Brock

Nineteen of 22 starters return to a team that reached the NFC Championship, but those who left were among the NFL’s most impactful. Most notably, the Vikings’ took major leaps of faith by letting THREE quarterback incumbents — including breakout starter Case Keenum — walk in free agency; and then giving Kirk Cousins what was, at the time, a record $84 million guaranteed. The move carries risk, but Minnesota deserves credit for chasing the best quarterback available in an effort to maximize its Super Bowl window.

The other major offensive change was at coordinator, where ex-Philadelphia quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo replaces Pat Shurmur, whose system was a perfect fit for Keenum. DeFilippo and Cousins might require more time to create that sort of chemistry, but an excellent set of weapons sure helps, and Kendall Wright was a nice bargain signing to join Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.

A few rotational defensive pieces departed, and the dynamic Sheldon Richardson, whose one-year, $8 million deal was one of the best buys in free agency, replaces 3-technique tackles Tom Johnson and Shamar Stephen. The Vikings also extended linebacker Eric Kendricks, who was the first of a few key youngsters (along with Stefon Diggs, Danielle Hunter and Anthony Barr) nearing the end of their rookie deals.

Our Take: Minnesota likely raised both its floor and its ceiling by adding Cousins and Richardson, an impressive feat for a 13-3 team. — A