The NFC North Might Be the NFL’s Best Division Again

Every Team in the North Has a Legitimate Angle

The Packers ditched Aaron Rodgers for Jordan Love in 2023 and made the blockbuster trade for Micah Parsons to elevate their defense until his ACL injury last season. And the Vikings have ridden their superstar receiver, Justin Jefferson, and the outstanding free-agent class of 2024 to periodic success. Looking at this year’s free agent and draft moves within the division, there aren’t any additions that can currently be labeled as game-changers. But of course, there will be some newcomers making huge impacts, as is always the case (and the Vikings hope leads this list in the upcoming season). At this juncture, I see all four NFC North teams with plenty of talent but also many key players departing, and, on balance, all the teams are either holding steady or appear weaker than last year at this time, with OTAs ramping up soon. Let’s analyze the division while holding off on any season predictions until early September. I’ll work from top to bottom according to last season’s standings. **Chicago Bears** **2025 Record:** **(11-6)** I believe the defending division champs have taken a bit of a step backward after profiting last season from their last-place schedule and Williams’ heroics (along with the Vikings’ bad kickoff coverage in the December meeting). There are some serious losses on offense, including the retirement of Pro Bowl center and the trade of leading wide receiver to Buffalo. On defense, the Bears have lost leading tackler , league-leading interceptor , and starting corner . Kick returner (who killed the Vikings with his big return in that second meeting last season) has also departed. Dillon Thieneman meets with the media at the 2026 NFL Combine. © Clark Wade/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Former Vikings center will try to hold off a solid second-rounder in , but both players are a significant step down from Dalman for this season, at least. The Bears took a talented safety in Dillon Thieneman in the first round (who the Vikings may regret passing on). Safety —coming from the champion —also is a nice addition at safety and brings a speedy linebacker. comes from and will compete with third-round pick Zavion Thomas (a burner at 4.28 in the 40) as the new kick returner and third receiver. But Moore is a significant loss for Williams in the passing game. **Bears Outlook:** I don’t see them repeating as division champs with the tougher first-place schedule, and I think they’ll finish around .500 and likely miss the playoffs. **** **2025 Record:** **(9-7-1)** The Packers took some hits in free agency and through trades, weakening their roster. They lost leading receiver , top tackler , backup QB , and No. 2 running back in free agency and traded away their second-leading sacker, , and a quality depth receiver in . The Packers released often-injured Pro Bowl O-lineman . is a step down from Willis as No. 2 QB. Ex-Gopher corner Benjamin St. Juste was a solid signing. The Packers will not have the wide receiver depth that they enjoyed in the past and will need 2025 first-rounder to step up while and must stay healthy. joins the D-line, but he did not play well enough last year with the Vikings to avoid being released. Parsons is expected back from his late-season torn ACL around Week 4, but will he be the same elite player this season when it usually takes two years to regain full effectiveness after an ACL tear? From the draft, the first-rounder was part of the Parsons trade with . Second-round corner brings talent but lacks NFL experience. Same with a solid third-round DT in Chris McClellan. **Packers Outlook:** The Packers lost their last five games in 2025 (including the wildcard loss at Chicago), with Parsons’ injury having a huge impact. Jordan Love will have to have his best year yet, and even then, I think will finish 8-9 or worse. **** **2025 Record: (9-8)** We’ve done plenty of analysis on the Vikings’ current state of affairs and will continue to do so over the next nine months. Without rehashing every move they’ve made, QB play is definitely the key (as usual), and I think Murray will be highly motivated to have a big year on his one-year deal and set himself up for a mammoth contract next March. And if he underperforms or gets hurt, gets his chance to reassert himself as the starter. Dec 22, 2019; Seattle, Washington, USA; quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles out of the pocket against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports I like the draft additions, except for my concern about Caleb Banks’ foot issues. But the Vikings surprisingly didn’t draft a wide receiver and still need to find a quality third WR to replace , whether that’s a vet signing such as pricy or older (who had success with Murray in Arizona), or can 2025 third-rounder come on in his second season? I think the Vikings missed the boat at center by not signing a quality free agent or drafting a center from a good college crop before picking Gavin Gerhardt in the seventh round. Safety Jakobe Thomas needs to come through, or the second-guessers could come out in force after Thieneman went to Chicago and the Vikings took LB Jake Golday instead of Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in the second round. The Vikings need Jake Golday to be a quick contributor, especially after the ill-advised trade of . A healthy Banks and big run-stopping third-rounder Domonique Orange should help the run D. And two late-round picks—corner Charles Demmings and RB Demond Claiborne look like potential steals. After very few free agent additions, this draft class has to produce for the Purple. **Vikings Outlook:** An easier schedule than last year will help the cause (playing the weaker NFC South teams is a boon in the wildcard race). Overall, I think the Vikings are holding steady talent-wise with last year, but should have a better record and be playoff-bound with their schedule and more consistent QB play. **** **2025 Record: (9-8)** I liked the Lions’ free-agent signing of center from Carolina after they struggled at the position last season following All-Pro ’s retirement. We’ll have to see if can adequately replace as Gibbs’ sidekick at running back. LB was the team’s defensive leader, and he’s off to Tampa Bay with stout DT D.J. Reader also moving on, putting the pressure on 2025 first-rounder and (a year removed from ACL surgery) to step up. Nov 23, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) runs the ball for a touchdown in overtime against the at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images The Lions are hoping Hutchinson gets more help on the pass rush from the combination of second-round pick and ex-Viking (who comes from Carolina). The Lions also lost a good third corner in . The biggest question for the Lions is the offensive line, which regressed last season, and they released long-time LT . The Lions are reportedly moving All-Pro from right tackle to left tackle and will likely start first-rounder at right tackle. **Lions Outlook:**Overall, I’d say Detroit has stayed neutral to last season. They are still loaded at the skill positions on offense, but there are concerns about the revamped O-line that must protect and open holes for Gibbs and Pacheco. The fourth-place schedule will be a big help in the effort to return to the playoffs, which I expect the Lions to accomplish. **NFC North Early Outlook:**The division should remain one of the NFL’s best, and it would not be a surprise if any of the teams wins the division. Catch me in early September for my prediction on which team emerges on top.