Following another busy NFL offseason, one could argue that the best regular-season division in football might even be better moving into 2025. We’ll take a deeper dive into each team’s moves, and assess who improved their odds of taking the NFC North crown this season.
No matter the time of year, the NFL remains king of the major sports across the U.S. landscape. Whether it’s the start of free agency, the draft, or even reports from OTAs and mini-camp, the slow period occupies a minuscule portion of the yearly calendar. A year ago, the NFC North sent three teams to the playoffs, although they didn’t have a playoff win to show between them.
Following a flurry of offseason moves, numerous changes have the potential to reshape the division’s landscape. With the 2025 regular season still two months away, we’ll take a look back at a hectic offseason to assess who could come out as the Kings of the North when the dust settles in January.
For the third consecutive offseason, the Bears found themselves among the more active teams in the league. With the mid-season firing of Matt Eberflus, Chicago was able to jump-start its head coaching search, as well as its preparations for a roster-building philosophy change. They’ll have a new look offensive line, along with multiple new pieces added to the defensive trenches. All eyes are on former No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and how he’ll gel with Ben Johnson and his new offense. The Bears remain one of the bigger “boom or bust” teams, offering a wide array of potential outcomes for the upcoming season.
Key Moves
– HC Ben Johnson – DC Dennis Allen
– LG Joe Thuney – C Drew Dalman
– TE Colston Loveland (1st round) – DE Dayo Odeyingbo
– DT Grady Jarrett – WR Luther Burden (2nd Round)
– RG Jonah Jackson – OT Ozzy Trapilo (2nd Round)
Armed with plenty of cap space and four picks in the Top 72 selections of April’s draft, the Bears went into the offseason big game hunting. They landed the big fish at head coach, but the fun didn’t stop there as Ben Johnson went on to surround himself with an All-Star caliber coaching staff. Year 4 for general manager Ryan Poles was his busiest and most expensive yet. Judging by how they build their roster and make their financial choices, this is a team that expects to hit the ground running and compete for a playoff spot.
Notable Losses
– LG Teven Jenkins – WR Keenan Allen
– C Coleman Shelton – DE Demarcus Walker
– DE Darrell Taylor – OL Matt Pryor
Early in the offseason, it became clear that Chicago was looking to remake all three starting spots along the interior of their offensive line. That meant giving up on a 2021 second-round selection and a quality starting center who started all 17 games. Allen, a headliner from last offseason, simply didn’t pan out how they had hoped. Considering their lack of speed at the skill positions, it made sense to get younger and faster at the position. In total, none of the Bears’ departures were unexpected. We’ll see if players like Jenkins, Shelton, and Taylor can go on to other teams and produce at a higher level.
Biggest Remaining Question
Can quarterback Caleb Williams take the necessary step(s) to live up to his No. 1 overall status from a year ago?
Simply put: The Bears will go as far as their quarterback play allows. If Williams can take a big step forward in his development under Johnson in Year 1, the Bears could be a sneaky good team with a high ceiling. If not, this team is in trouble with little hope for the future. There’s no question that Chicago failed him in Year 1. Still, it’s all in front of him now with one of the league’s top offensive minds calling plays, an impressive offensive coaching staff, a new and improved offensive line, and an embarrassment of riches at the skill positions. Your table is ready, Caleb.
Stock Status
Up (Up and away)
This might not be the three-peat that Chicago fans want to be remembered for, but the Bears now own the crown as the three-time NFL offseason Champions. On paper, they’ve made all the right moves (again). They secured the best head coaching candidate they could, reworked the majority of their offensive line, and brought in one of the best defensive minds in football to coach the defense. There’s no reason that they can’t double their win total and make the playoffs, even in a complex division. It’s all up to them to live up to the hype and exceed expectations.
David Reginek-Imagn Images
For decades, the Lions and their fan base were no strangers to changes. Then along came general manager Brad Holmes, and their rise to relevance has been a story of inspiration (unless you’re a fan of a team in the NFC North). Unfortunately for them, they were finally forced into the circle of life when it comes to successful NFL teams. They lost both coordinators and a handful of valuable assistant coaches. The good news is that they still have the best roster in the division (on paper). Dan Campbell has proven to be a damn-good head coach, so if you’re willing to put all of your eggs in the basket of culture and stability, they are the easy pick to win the division, yet again.
Key Moves
– CB D.J. Reed – DT Tyleik Williams (1st Round)
– iOL Tate Ratledge (2nd Round) – DT Roy Lopez
– CB Avonte Maddox – iOL Trystan Colon
Like most good teams, cap space eventually runs low when you’re paying the core of your team, including the quarterback. The Lions aren’t in deep waters when it comes to a lack of cap flexibility, but they took a much more frugal approach to free agency this year. With the majority of their core players locked up and one of the better rosters in the league, this wasn’t a team that needed to go over the top and compromise future cap years. Instead, they made one big splash and added a few role players in free agency, while continuing their trench-heavy approach early in the draft with the selections of Williams and Ratledge. The Ratledge pick looks even better in hindsight with the surprise retirement of elite center Frank Ragnow.
Notable Losses
– OC Ben Johnson – DC Aaron Glenn
– C Frank Ragnow – CB Carlton Davis
– iOL Kevin Zeitler – DE Za’Darius Smith (for now)
– CB Emmanuel Moseley – Ifeatu Melifonwu
The Lions didn’t lose many of their pending free agents, but the top names that walked were notable. Oh, and their stud center up and retired at the age of 29 in early June. Detroit’s offensive line has been elite, but now they’ll have to replace both Ragnow and Zeitler before Week 1. Luckily for them, they’ve drafted plenty over the last few years, and the ceiling for those two spots is relatively high. Losing Davis would have hurt, but for the upgrade with Reed. All in all, this is a Lions team that won’t look drastically different on the field at most starting spots.
Biggest Remaining Question
Did Campbell effectively replace the two coordinators he lost?
Only time will tell. Historically, most teams that have their coaching staff raided will take a year or two to bounce back to “full strength”. John Morton played a role in building Detroit’s offense in 2022 as a Senior Offensive Assistant, but helping build and actually building are two very different things. After all, Morton hasn’t been an offensive play caller since 2017. Lions fans shouldn’t be as worried about defensive coordinator, especially with Kelvin Sheppard being promoted from the existing staff. Continuity should be easier to maintain on that side of the ball.
Stock Status
Down (Slightly)
Should Lions fans be sounding alarms? Absolutely not. This remains a supremely talented team with a strong coaching staff. More than anything, there’s just a level of unknown, especially when it comes to the offense. Many fans have convinced themselves that the transition to Morton will be seamless, but that feels more like wishful thinking than a realistic expectation. Quarterback Jared Goff shouldn’t regress too much (if at all), but the creativity and overall aggression will be two key factors in whether their offense can maintain an elite level. Two significant changes on the offensive line don’t help, either, especially against teams like the Minnesota Vikings, who are stacked on the defensive line.
Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
It’s hard to label a (11-6) season a “disappointment”, but in many ways, that’s precisely how 2024 felt for the Packers. Quarterback Jordan Love was not healthy for most of the season, and their young receivers didn’t live up to expectations. On the plus side, Jeff Hafley’s defense looked incredibly promising, and this is still one of the youngest rosters in the league. This feels like a crucial year in Green Bay, especially for the offense. Windows can close quickly, but for young teams, they can also open and stay that way with one big season.
Key Moves
– CB Nate Hobbs – iOL Aaron Banks
– WR Matthew Golden (1st Round) – OT Anthony Belton (2nd Round)
– WR/KR Mecole Hardman – WR Savion Williams (3rd Round)
For a second straight year, general manager Brian Gutekunst remained aggressive at the top of the market for some of their biggest needs. Last year, they landed Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney in the opening wave (which worked out well). This year, they opted to sign Hobbs and Banks as their two lone notable free agent additions. The draft brought a trio of offensive help, including two receivers in Golden and Williams. It was the first time in almost three decades that Green Bay drafted a receiver in the first round. The offensive line isn’t what it used to be, but if all goes well, this should still be an above-average group that head coach Matt LaFleur can make look even better with his ability to scheme up quick throws. Perhaps this will age poorly, but it’s hard to imagine paying Banks that type of money when he has never consistently produced at an above-average level. That could be a contract they regret almost immediately.
Notable Losses
– CB Jaire Alexander – DT T.J. Slayton
– C Josh Myers – CB Eric Stokes
– LB Eric Wilson – RB A.J. Dillon
Similar to Detroit, the Packers didn’t have many free agents hitting the market in March. Of the names that signed elsewhere, only Myers and Slayton would have been considered starting-caliber players (that could stay healthy). Alexander’s fate was not a surprise in the long run, but considering how things were trending, the timing of his release was surprising in the moment. In total, the Packers didn’t lose much outside of average starting-caliber players and some depth. Alexander’s departure could sting, but his inability to stay on the field was a much bigger issue.
Biggest Remaining Question
Can Jordan Love take the next step?
LaFleur is one hell of an offensive coach, but the lack of growth in Love’s second year has to be at least slightly concerning. Granted, it was clear he wasn’t healthy for most of it. The decision-making and back-foot throws deep down the field were what concerned me the most. It’s not like they have the benefit of a rookie contract, either. His receivers let him down at points last year, and the hope is that with increased talent and competition coming from the draft, players like Jayden Reed will turn into a true No. 1 receiver. Love has the talent, but consistency is his most elusive quality. We’ll see what Year 3 holds, but the reality is, Malik Willis shouldn’t look comparable in his play after a few weeks in the system.
Stock Status
Up (Slightly)
Did Green Bay get worse this offseason? No. Did they get substantially better or answer any of their pressing questions? Also, no. Much of this team’s improvement will have to come from within. After all, they are one of the youngest teams in the NFL, so it’s not unreasonable to believe that this can happen. Outside of Love’s growth, the biggest concern is their group of cornerbacks. Even if Javon Bullard moves to the nickel full-time, Hobbs is injury-prone and better inside, and Keisean Nixon was average at best last year. Hafley did an excellent job in his first year as the team’s defensive coordinator, but that group needs some help. If the offense improves and Love takes the next step, they could win the division. If they fail to grow or regress, this could result in a last-place team, albeit one likely to have a winning record (or one close to it).
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Minnesota Vikings
Just a year removed from a surprising 14-win season, head coach Kevin O’Connell will be looking to develop another quarterback into a Top 10 product. Following Kirk Cousins’ departure in free agency, it would have been easy for them to hit the reset button on some of their roster. Instead, they remained aggressive last offseason and continued building a well-rounded squad. With Sam Darnold off to Seattle, all the focus now turns to last year’s No. 10 overall selection in J.J. McCarthy. If their offense can maintain its past production, this will be a dangerous team. Especially with a revamped defensive front that can win against the best offensive lines in the league. Are the Vikings a potential Super Bowl sleeper heading into 2025?
Key Moves
– iOL Will Fries – DT Jonathan Allen
– C Ryan Kelly – DT Javon Hargrave
– OL Donovan Jackson (1st Round) – CB Isaiah Rogers
– RB Jordan Mason – WR Tai Felton (3rd Round)
If there’s one thing general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has been known for, it’s his aggressive free agent approach. Even more impressive than his ability to add multiple impact players in free agency: His ability to maintain compensatory picks for Sam Darnold (3rd Round), Daniel Jones (4th Round), and Trent Sherfield (7th Round). Similar to Chicago, the focus in free agency was primarily focused on the trenches. Adding a pair of former Colts in Fries and Kelly should drastically improve the interior of the offensive line, while Allen and Hargrave finally give defensive coordinator Brian Flores real credibility on the interior of their defensive line. Taking Jackson was a nice touch, despite their activity earlier in free agency. Mason is a sneaky value pick, especially with Aaron Jones on the wrong side of the 30. In total, this wasn’t a team that rested on its laurels, following a 14-win season. Instead, they improved in key areas.
Notable Losses
– QB Sam Darnold – S Cam Bynum
– LT Cam Robinson – DE Patrick Jones
– QB Daniel Jones – iOL Ed Ingram
Despite losing multiple household names, Bynum and Jones are the only two that could be classified as “impact” losses. Darnold was always unlikely to re-sign back in Minnesota, especially with McCarthy’s promise. The idea behind adding Jones mid-season was always smart, but when he received the opportunity to start with the Colts, he would have been foolish to turn it down. Despite being a high-round selection, Ingram consistently played below replacement level, which made this move more than justifiable. In total, Adofo-Mensah did an excellent job of playing the comp pick game, while not over-extending himself by attempting to keep players that wouldn’t be full-time starters.
Biggest Remaining Question
Can J.J. McCarthy take them to the next level?
Not only is O’Connell one of the best head coaches in the league, but he’s also one of the best offensive minds in the league. His ability to develop quarterbacks really took flight last year with Darnold’s ascension, so there’s no reason to believe he can’t do the same with a more talented McCarthy. The 22-year-old has all of the tools to become a good NFL quarterback. Still, after missing his entire rookie season with a knee injury, there’s more ambiguity than there usually would be for a player in his position. If he can play at the same level or better than Darnold, watch out.
Stock Status
Up (and possibly way up)
The Bears will catch most of the headlines for their big offseason, but don’t sleep on the Vikings here. They fortified both interiors of the lines, and have a vastly talented roster. Couple that with a great coaching staff headlined by McConnell and Flores, and there are many reasons to believe that they could win the division this year and possibly even more. They have legitimate star power on the offensive side of the ball and one of the scariest defensive lines in all of football. With so many questions in Detroit and a critical year in Green Bay, one could argue that the Vikings are the slight favorite for the NFC North crown, especially if McCarthy comes out of the gate strong.