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The NFL North figures to be a highly competitive division this upcoming season. All four teams (Vikings, Lions, Packers, Bears) arguably got better over the offseason. While Detroit and Green Bay might be considered favorites, fans shouldn’t sleep on Minnesota or Chicago. This piece will display the projected starting groups for each franchise. From there, we’ll rank each position group with some analysis.
Chicago Bears: Projected Offense
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QB: Caleb Williams
RB: D’Andre Swift
WR: Keenan Allen
WR: DJ Moore
WR: Rome Odunze
TE: Cole Kmet
LT: Braxton Jones
LG: Teven Jenkins
C: Coleman Shelton
RG: Nate Davis
RT: Darnell Wright
Chicago Bears: Projected Defense
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DE: Montez Sweat
DT: Gervon Dexter
DT: Andrew Billings
DE: DeMarcus Walker
LB: Jack Sanborn
LB: Tremaine Edmunds
LB: TJ Edwards
CB: Jaylon Johnson
CB: Tyrique Stevenson
NB: Kyler Gordon
FS: Kevin Byard
SS: Jaquan Brisker
Detroit Lions: Projected Offense
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QB: Jared Goff
RB: David Montgomery
WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown
WR: Jameson Williams
WR: Kalif Raymond
TE: Sam LaPorta
LT: Taylor Decker
LG: Graham Glasnow
C: Frank Ragnow
RG: Kevin Zeitler
RT: Penei Sewell
Detroit Lions: Projected Defense
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DE: Aidan Hutchinson
DT: DJ Reader
DT: Alim McNeill
DE: Marcus Davenport
LB: Jack Campbell
LB: Alex Anzalone
CB: Terrion Arnold
CB: Carlton Davis
NB: Brian Branch
S: Ifeatu Melifonwu
S: Kerby Joseph
Green Bay Packers: Projected Offense
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QB: Jordan Love
RB: Josh Jacobs
WR: Christian Watson
WR: Jayden Reed
WR: Romeo Doubs
TE: Luke Musgrave
LT: Rasheed Walker
LG: Elgton Jenkins
C: Josh Myers
RG: Sean Rhyan
RT: Zach Tom
Green Bay Packers: Projected Defense
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DE: Preston Smith
DT: Kenny Clark
DT: Devonte Wyatt
DE: Rashan Gary
LB: Isaiah McDuffie
LB: Edgerrin Cooper
LB: Quay Walker
DB: Jaire Alexander
SS: Javon Bullard
FS: Xavier McKinney
DB: Eric Stokes
Minnesota Vikings: Projected Offense
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QB: Sam Darnold
RB: Aaron Jones
WR: Justin Jefferson
WR: Jordan Addison
WR: Brandon Powell
TE: TJ Hockenson
LT: Christian Darrisaw
LG: Dalton Risner
C: Garrett Bradbury
RG: Ed Ingram
RT: Brian O’Neill
Minnesota Vikings: Projected Defense
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DE: Jerry Tillery
DT: Harrison Phillips
DE: Jonathan Bullard
LB: Jonathan Greenard
LB: Ivan Pace Jr.
LB: Blake Cashman
LB: Andrew Van Ginkel
CB: Akayleb Evans
SS: Harrison Smith
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FS: Camryn Bynum
CB: Byron Murphy Jr.
Ranking Quarterbacks
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1. Jordan Love — Green Bay Packers
2. Jared Goff — Detroit Lions
3. Caleb Williams — Chicago Bears
4. Sam Darnold — Minnesota Vikings
There could be an argument between Love and Goff. Goff has a more proven track record. However, Love’s ceiling is better — and he appears to be on the cusp of breaking out as a potential top-10 quarterback. Caleb Williams earns the third spot considering his talent level. Whether it’s Sam Darnold or first-round pick JJ McCarthy, Minnesota objectively has the worst quarterback situation in the division.
Ranking Running Back Groups
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1. Detroit Lions — David Montgomery/Jahmyr Gibbs
2. Green Bay Packers — Josh Jacobs/AJ Dillon
3. Minnesota Vikings — Aaron Jones/Ty Chandler
4. Chicago Bears — D’Andre Swift/Roschon Johnson
Detroit has a very potent one-two punch. It’s among the best in the league, with Montgomery providing the proverbial thunder — and Gibbs with the lightning. Green Bay doubled down with two physical runners in newly-acquired Josh Jacobs and trusty backup AJ Dillon. Aaron Jones left Green Bay to join rival Minnesota. D’Andre Swift signed an expensive deal with the Bears, though the group isn’t overly deep.
Ranking Skill Players
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1. Chicago Bears — Keenan Allen/DJ Moore/Rome Odunze/Cole Kmet
2. Minnesota Vikings — Jordan Addison/Justin Jefferson/TJ Hockenson
3. Detroit Lions — Amon-Ra St. Brown/Sam LaPorta/Jameson Williams
4. Green Bay Packers — Luke Musgrave/Christian Watson/Romeo Doubs
We’re splitting hairs with this group. The NFC North is LOADED with receiver/tight end talent. Chicago upgraded immensely with perhaps the best prep receiver from this year’s draft, not to mention a future Hall of Famer in Allen. Jefferson is potentially the best receiver in football, and Addison is among the better No. 2 options in the league. St. Brown is a perennial Pro Bowler, and the same might eventually be said for LaPorta. Even Green Bay has some talent with an emerging Musgrave, a touchdown machine in Doubs, and a talented receiver in Watson.
Ranking Offensive Lines
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1. Detroit Lions
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Minnesota Vikings
4. Chicago Bears
Much like the skill position groups, the offensive line groups in this division are also quite strong. One can make the case that all four units would rank within the top 10 of the NFL. Detroit’s group, led by Sewell and Ragnow, is spectacular. Green Bay added some talent with first-round pick Jordan Morgan. He joins an underrated group featuring Jenkins, Tom, and an emerging player in former UCLA Bruins star Sean Rhyan. Minnesota’s unit is fortified by experience and continuity. The Bears have two outstanding tackles in Jones and Wright.
Ranking Defensive Line Groups
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1. Detroit Lions
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Chicago Bears
4. Minnesota Vikings
The defense for each team in the NFC North looks a bit different. It’s going to be difficult for the Vikings to stack up on the line considering DC Brian Flores’ scheme which shifts its best edge rushers to linebacker. As such, the other three teams boast an advantage in this area. Detroit has accumulated the most balanced group among the remaining trio. Aidan Hutchinson is a true star and will be surrounded by solid veterans like D.J. Reader and Marcus Davenport. Green Bay is transitioning to a 4-3 in ’24, hoping that it could include a group of high draft picks who haven’t panned out exactly as expected. Montez Sweat was excellent after getting acquired by the Bears last year, but does he have enough talent around him to flourish this season?
Ranking Linebacker Groups
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1. Minnesota Vikings
2. Chicago Bears
3. Detroit Lions
4. Green Bay Packers
As stated on the previous slide, the Vikings stacked their linebacking group by including their top-edge rushers. Free agent signings Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel are perfectly fitted for Brian Flores’ attacking defense. And, Ivan Pace Jr. was an unsung hero for Minnesota’s defense last year. Chicago takes second place with a strong off-ball backer duo of Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards. Detroit’s pair of 2023 first-round pick Jack Campbell and Alex Anzalone aren’t too far behind, and the Lions are hoping for a bit more out of the former in Year 2. Green Bay took a shot in the second round with Texas A&M’s Edgerrin Cooper, but desperately needs Quay Walker to cement himself as a top LB.
Ranking Defensive Back Groups
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1. Chicago Bears
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Minnesota Vikings
4. Detroit Lions
Secondary play isn’t the strongest area for the NFC North. However, two elite cornerbacks are lurking in the division. Chicago’s Jaylon Johnson is coming off a better season than Green Bay’s two-time All-Pro Jaire Alexander giving the Bears the slightest edge in the ranking. Chicago’s safety duo of Jaquan Brisker and two-time All-Pro Kevin Byard is arguably the best in the division. Safety play is also strong in Minnesota with the veteran Harrison Smith and breakout star Cam Bynum. At the same time, the cornerback spots are a bit shakier despite spending a ton on free agent Byron Murphy Jr. a season ago. Detroit’s secondary is a work-in-progress but they have one of the division’s most versatile defenders in Brian Branch.
Ranking Special Teams Groups
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1. Chicago Bears
2. Detroit Lions
3. Minnesota Vikings
4. Green Bay Packers
No team in the NFC North can hang their hat on special teams. Chicago wins out by default as kicker Cairo Santos is coming off an excellent season. He’s been one of the league’s most accurate beyond 50 yards, hitting 11-of-13 over the past two seasons. Detroit will get Michael Badgley back, and have a great punter in Jack Fox. The last two spots are occupied by two of the worst special teams units in the league. The Packers are in a league of their own, and almost assuredly have to move on from kicker Anders Carlson after a disastrous ’23.
Ranking Offensive Coordinator
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1. Detroit Lions — Ben Johnson
2. Chicago Bears — Shane Waldron
3. Minnesota Vikings — Wes Phillips
4. Green Bay Packers — Adam Stenavich
Detroit somehow convinced Ben Johnson to stay on board for another year. Several teams inquired about him for their head coaching vacancies. He’s among the best play-callers in the league. Chicago hired a new OC in Shane Waldron, who was previously with the Seahawks and will be tasked with developing No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. The Vikings and Packers make up the back half, primarily because both teams’ head coaches assume the role of play-caller.
Ranking Defensive Coordinator
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1. Minnesota Vikings — Brian Flores
2. Detroit Lions — Aaron Glenn
3. Chicago Bears — Eric Washington
4. Green Bay Packers — Jeff Hafley
Brian Flores is one of the most well-respected DCs in the game. His aggressive style and exotic blitz packages allowed a Vikings defense to punch above its weight in ’23. Detroit’s Aaron Glenn is on the head coaching radar, but will probably need another strong effort to establish himself among the elite defensive minds. Both Chicago and Green Bay will enter ’24 with new DCs. Chicago’s Eric Washington is taking over for a Bears defense that was among the league’s best over the second half of last season.
Ranking Head Coaches
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1. Green Bay Packers — Matt LaFleur
2. Detroit Lions — Dan Campbell
3. Minnesota Vikings — Kevin O’Connell
4. Chicago Bears — Matt Eberflus
Some pundits might flip the top two in the NFC North. In the end, we give the edge to Green Bay’s Matt LaFleur who has now proven he can win without Aaron Rodgers. A lot of Jordan Love’s development can be credited to LaFleur’s QB-friendly offense. Though, having Detroit’s Dan Campbell as the No. 1 coach wouldn’t be a wild take. His leadership and motivational skills are unparalleled. He’s helped bring a franchise out of the depths and was just a few plays away from a Super Bowl berth. Kevin O’Connell and Matt Eberflus have shown flashes, but are a step below the other two.
Projecting Results in 2024-25
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1. Detroit Lions
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Chicago Bears
4. Minnesota Vikings
The Bears will be a year away from realistically making the playoffs. Despite Williams being a super-talented player, he will deal with the growing pains all young quarterbacks endure. Minnesota also will be in a bit of a rebuild as McCarthy eventually gets a chance to play. Detroit and Green Bay should be locked-in playoff teams. Detroit’s defense figures to be a bit stronger than Green Bay’s, earning the narrow edge as the division winner.
