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The NFC North Might Be the NFL’s Best Division Again
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- The NFC North Might Be the NFL’s Best Division Again
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
The NFC North is coming off a 2025 season in which it was the only division to produce four teams with winning records. It has emerged as one of the NFL's top divisions, which was so wide open that the Bears went from worst to first last season, while the Lions did the opposite.
There have been several seismic player acquisition moves in the past several years that have elevated all four teams. The Lions' recent draft classes brought stars such as DE Aidan Hutchinson , WR Amon-Ra St. Brown , and RB Jahmyr Gibbs . The Bears' pick of QB Caleb Williams paid off last year in his second season.
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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 Kyler Murray 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.
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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 Drew Dalman and the trade of leading wide receiver D.J. Moore to Buffalo. On defense, the Bears have lost leading tackler Tremaine Edmunds , league-leading interceptor Kevin Byard , and starting corner Nahshon Wright . Kick returner Devin Duvernay (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 Garrett Bradbury will try to hold off a solid second-rounder in Logan Jones , but both players are a significant step down from Dalman for this season, at least.
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The Bears took a talented safety in Dillon Thieneman in the first round (who the Vikings may regret passing on). Safety Coby Bryant —coming from the champion Seahawks —also is a nice addition at safety and Devin Bush brings a speedy linebacker. Kalif Raymond comes from Detroit 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.
Green Bay Packers
2025 Record: (9-7-1)
The Packers took some hits in free agency and through trades, weakening their roster. They lost leading receiver Romeo Doubs , top tackler Quay Walker , backup QB Malik Willis , and No. 2 running back Emanuel Wilson in free agency and traded away their second-leading sacker, Rashan Gary , and a quality depth receiver in Dontayvion Wicks . The Packers released often-injured Pro Bowl O-lineman Elgton Jenkins .
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Tyrod Taylor 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 Matthew Golden to step up while Christian Watson and Jayden Reed must stay healthy.
Javon Hargrave 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 Dallas . Second-round corner Brandon Cisse 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 Green Bay will finish 8-9 or worse.
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Minnesota Vikings
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, J.J. McCarthy gets his chance to reassert himself as the starter.
Dec 22, 2019; Seattle, Washington, USA; Arizona Cardinals 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 Jalen Nailor , whether that's a vet signing such as pricy Jauan Jennings or older DeAndre Hopkins (who had success with Murray in Arizona), or can 2025 third-rounder Tai Felton come on in his second season?
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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 Jonathan Greenard .
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.
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Detroit Lions
2025 Record: (9-8)
I liked the Lions' free-agent signing of center Cade Mays from Carolina after they struggled at the position last season following All-Pro Frank Ragnow 's retirement. We'll have to see if Isiah Pacheco can adequately replace David Montgomery as Gibbs' sidekick at running back.
LB Alex Anzalone 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 Tyleik Williams and Alim McNeill (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 New York Giants 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 Derrick Moore and ex-Viking D.J. Wonnum (who comes from Carolina). The Lions also lost a good third corner in Amik Robertson .
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The biggest question for the Lions is the offensive line, which regressed last season, and they released long-time LT Taylor Decker . The Lions are reportedly moving All-Pro Penei Sewell from right tackle to left tackle and will likely start first-rounder Blake Miller 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 Jared Goff 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.
