2025 NFC North Division Preview

The NFC North is one of the most fascinating divisions in the NFL heading into the 2025 season. Each team has at least one major flaw or question mark, and now there has been a blockbuster trade. How will Detroit’s new coordinators perform, and will they be an upgrade or downgrade from Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn? How good is J.J. McCarthy? Can Micah Parsons mask Green Bay’s cornerback issues? How much can a new coaching staff help Caleb Williams and the Bears? All of these questions and all 4 teams have enough upside to reach the playoffs, but who will?

1. Green Bay Packers

Head Coach, Coordinator Changes: N/A
Free Agency Signings, Retentions: EDGE Micah Parsons (trade), G Aaron Banks, NCB Nate Hobbs
Notable Draft Selections: WR Matthew Golden, T Anthony Benton, WR Savion Williams

The Green Bay Packers, similar to the Texans, were a trendy pick to reach the Super Bowl last season. After a week 1 injury to Jordan Love that clearly hindered his play, not enough internal improvement at the WR position, and a disappointing pass rush, the Packers still made the playoffs as a wild card team. HC Matt LaFleur and DC Jeff Hafley both did a great job game planning week-to-week and raising the floor of their respective units after certain things didn’t go as expected. How much did Green Bay improve after spending some big money in free agency, selecting a WR in the first-round for the first time since Javon Walker in 2002, and trading for one of the best defensive players in the NFL?

Last season, Green Bay showed that they have a high floor as an offense. In 2024, the Packers ranked 8th in points per game, yards per game, and were top 5 in yards per play. This was all after a week 1 injury to Jordan Love and having the 2nd worst team drop percentage in the league. How was this possible? The Packers have a good offensive line, a star RB (Josh Jacobs), and one of the league’s best offensive minds as their head coach. The running game was what took the Packers to the playoffs after having a middle of the pack passing attack. A heavy dose of Jacobs and some explosive pass plays off of play action should still be the foundation of this Green Bay offense, but a healthy Jordan Love and arguably the best WR prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft should make this Green Bay Packers offense even better in 2025.

The defense was a mixed bag for Green Bay before the Micah Parsons trade. Xavier McKinney is one of the best safeties in the NFL and Evan Williams is a solid partner for him back there. LB Edgerrin Cooper looks primed for a breakout after a very good rookie season. DC Jeff Hafley also had himself a good year as a first-year coordinator in the NFL. Hafley’s ability to make in-game adjustments and maximize the abilities of his players by slotting them in the correct roles were some major differences between him and former Packers DC Joe Barry. The Packers also added NCB Nate Hobbs, who has done very well in that role during his career.

With that being said, there were still some big question marks for the Packers on defense before trading for Parsons. Firstly, they had a very difficult time getting pressure with 4-man rushes, and a lot had been put on the back of Rashan Gary, but now Gary will be the 2nd pass rusher while Parsons, a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, takes over as the lead dog and immediately makes this a great group. Secondly, the cornerback room isn’t promising for Green Bay, and still isn’t. Keisean Nixon and Javon Bullard are not reliable starters on the outside, and neither are any of their backups. While Nate Hobbs is a good nickel corner, he has also missed 4 or more games each year since his rookie campaign, and he also isn’t as effective on the outside, which limits Green Bay’s options. However, pass rush can always be the great equalizer for a defense, and it was a card that the Packers were missing in their deck until they suddenly made it a great strength. The only 2 players to have 12+ sacks in each of their first 4 years in the NFL are Micah Parsons and a top 3 defensive player of all-time, Reggie White. Is Parsons the new Reggie White? No, but trading for a 26-year old top 2 pass rusher in the NFL is a transformative move that instantly makes the Packers a top tier Super Bowl contender.

Record Prediction: 13-4

2. Detroit Lions

Head Coach, Coordinator Changes: OC John Morton, DC Kelvin Sheppard
Free Agency Signings, Retentions: CB D.J. Reed, DT Levi Onwuzurike, EDGE Marcus Davenport, LB Derrick Barnes, NCB Avonte Maddox, LB Zach Cunningham, IDL Roy Lopez, CB Rock Ya-Sin, LB Grant Stuard, QB Kyle Allen
Notable Draft Selections: DT Tyleik Williams, G Tate Ratledge, WR Isaac TeSlaa

The Lions have finally had a successful rebuild and have cemented themselves as one of the league’s top teams after making the NFC Championship in the 2023 season and following that up with a 15-2 record in the 2024 season. However, the Lions now have some obstacles to overcome in 2025. Coordinator changes, a questionable interior offensive line, and key players coming back from devastating injuries are all things to worry about in regards to this team. Although Detroit is a team that is a clear candidate for regression and there are many things to monitor as the season goes on, they should still be a playoff team.

The offense is probably the biggest question for the Detroit Lions heading into the season. Between losing former OC Ben Johnson and C Frank Ragnow, there are question marks at positions that were arguably the most important for the Lions’ recent offensive success. Ben Johnson has been one of the best play callers in the NFL for a few seasons and Ragnow was arguably the best center of football when healthy. Both were vital to the Lions’ ability to marry the run and pass game. Jared Goff is also a QB who needs to be protected given his lack of mobility and timid nature when under pressure. In the end, even though there will likely be some regression, Detroit’s high-end talent gives them a decent floor as long as Jared Goff doesn’t turn into a pumpkin, which would be a surprising turn of events.

While this Lions defense has a lot of high-end talent, there are question marks at key spots. Aidan Hutchinson may be the biggest question mark despite being a DPOY candidate the last time we saw him play. The same concerns can be applied to Alim McNeil, as both big men are coming off of catastrophic lower body injuries. The Lions can probably get by with bringing McNeil along slowly after adding Tyleik Williams to the interior and giving D.J. Reader a partner in the middle, but Detroit is going to need Hutchinson’s production quickly if they want to reach the heights that this defense is capable of. There’s good depth on the interior, but not much good depth on the edge.

The other question for the Lions is the cornerback position. D.J. Reed is an upgrade from Carlton Davis, but Terrion Arnold still needs to establish himself and Ennis Rakestraw has already suffered a season-ending injury. With that being said, if Kelvin Sheppard is a hit at the defensive coordinator position, schematics and the rest of the defensive talent can cover up potential deficiencies from the cornerback room. Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph is the best safety duo in the NFL, with Branch being one of the most versatile defensive players in the NFL. Jack Campbell seems poised for a breakout and Alex Anzalone has been a solid starting linebacker for Detroit. There are some concerns on this defense, but there’s still a strong possibility they end up being a top-10 unit or higher.

Record Prediction: 11-6

3. Minnesota Vikings

Head Coach, Coordinator Changes: N/A
Free Agency Signings, Retentions: CB Byron Murphy, S Harrison Smith, DT Jonathan Allen, G Will Fries, DT Javon Hargrave, C Ryan Kelly, RB Aaron Jones, RB Jordan Mason (trade), CB Isaiah Rodgers, CB Jeff Okudah, LT Justin Skule, WR Myles Price, TE Ben Yurosek, LB Eric Wilson, CB Tavierre Thomas
Notable Draft Selections: G Donovan Jackson, WR Tai Felton

The Minnesota Vikings caught many by surprise last season as they went on to win 14 games and make the playoffs with Sam Darnold as the starting QB. Heading into the season, it was believed that Darnold would begin the season, but McCarthy would eventually get the nod to go under center as the full-time starter. That was not the case after McCarthy had to undergo season-ending surgery for a torn meniscus he suffered in his first preseason game. Instead, Sam Darnold had a great regular season before he crumbled in Week 18 vs Detroit for the division title, and vs the Rams in the wild card round. Minnesota made a lot of additions in free agency and have a very talented roster, but a rookie QB who was polarizing as a prospect is now stepping into the fold as the unchallenged full-time starter. Can J.J. McCarthy lead Minnesota back to the playoffs?

On the offensive side of the ball, this situation is amazing for J.J. McCarthy. There is nothing he is going without in Minnesota. Kevin O’Connell is one of the best offensive minds in football and has been to the playoffs in 2 of his first 3 years in Minnesota. O’Connell is one of the best in the NFL at exploiting weaknesses in a defense and creating layups for his QB, which should take a lot of pressure off of McCarthy in what will essentially be his rookie season. One concern people have is how McCarthy will adapt to passing more in the NFL since he wasn’t much of a high-volume passer in college due to the fact that he was the QB on a Michigan team that had a heavy emphasis on the rushing attack, and O’Connell has also faced criticism of loving to pass. However, there seems to be much more focus on running this year in Minnesota after making major additions to the offensive line and having a couple of RBs who have had success recently.

Even after the coaching, this Vikings roster is extremely talented. Justin Jefferson is the best WR in football, Jordan Addison is a good #2, T.J. Hockenson is a very good TE who is having his first offseason without needing to rehab a catastrophic injury, and the RB room of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason should be more than enough to take advantage of the new-look Vikings offensive line. Speaking of the offensive line, the Vikings should be way better there this season. C Ryan Kelly and G Will Fries (both former Colts) got new deals from Minnesota this offseason to start for them, and the Vikings also used their first-round pick on Ohio State G Donovan Jackson, who was a standout at OSU and should be a good starter right away. With these additions and the return of LT Christian Darrisaw, Minnesota’s revamped line should make life easier for McCarthy, both in pass protection and by giving the Vikings a better chance of running the ball. The biggest question with this Vikings offense, and the Vikings in general, is McCarthy. With such a wide range of outcomes with the rookie QB, it’s difficult to pick the Vikings to win the division even though this roster and coaching staff is elite, although winning the division is within the realm of possibilities.

With the Vikings defense being in their 3rd year under DC Brian Flores, you already know what to expect: Crazy disguised defenses with loads of simulated pressure via the blitz and various coverages. Minnesota did add some good veteran pieces to the defensive line by bringing in IDL Jonathan Allen from Washington and IDL Javon Hargrave from San Francisco. Some other important moves were bringing back CB Byron Murphy and CB Isaiah Rodgers, who was a sneaky addition. Losing Cam Bynum does sting, but the versatility that Flores loves shouldn’t be too affected by that. This Vikings defense should continue to be one of the best in the NFL.

Record Prediction: 8-9

4. Chicago Bears

Head Coach, Coordinator Changes: HC Ben Johnson, OC Declan Doyle, DC Dennis Allen
Free Agency Signings, Retentions: G Joe Thuney (trade), C Drew Dalman, G Jonah Jackson (trade), DT Grady Jarrett, DE Dayo Odeyingbo, WR Olamide Zaccheaus, WR Devin Duvernay, QB Case Keenum, TE Durham Smythe, WR Jahdae Walker
Notable Draft Selections: TE Colston Loveland, WR Luther Burden III, OT Ozzy Trapilo, DT Shemar Turner, RB Kyle Monangai

After adding QB Caleb Williams and WR Rome Odunze with the first and ninth overall picks 2024 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears were one of the biggest stories in the NFL. The beginning of the season had some bumps in the road, as you would expect with a rookie QB, but had some promising moments before it turned into a circus in a moment’s notice. Since then, the Bears have made it known that the goal this upcoming season is to create the best possible environment for Caleb Williams to succeed in and see if he really has what it takes to be a franchise QB. Even if the Bears miss the playoffs, this season is a success as long as Williams looks like he can really be the answer for Chicago.

As we’ve already established with the offense, the Bears have made it their mission to give Williams all the tools he needs to be the best he can be. Their first move was to bring in HC Ben Johnson, who was probably the hottest first-time HC candidate since Kyle Shanahan. Johnson organized one of the most potent offenses in Detroit, but now he has to do it in Chicago. The first order of business for Ben Johnson and GM Ryan Poles was to upgrade the offensive line, which was a big issue for Chicago last season. G Joe Thuney and G Jonah Jackson were added via trade and C Drew Dalman was a free agent addition. Thuney was an All-Pro in 2023 and 2024 at the guard position before becoming an emergency left tackle for Kansas City last season. Jackson is coming off of a down year after earning a big payday from the Rams, but was a solid starter for Johnson in Detroit. Dalman is also a big upgrade at the center position. Protecting Williams and giving Johnson a line that he’s comfortable scheming up should pay dividends for Chicago.

The Bears also have a great crop of weapons for Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson to use. DJ Moore is a proven receiver on the outside, Rome Odunze looks like a breakout candidate, and rookies Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III are very talented players who will be slotted into roles that are appropriate for them. Olamide Zaccheaus and Cole Kmet are also good veteran depth at WR and TE. The RB room looks slim, but Ben Johnson should be able to elevate their play with his run designs. Personnel can’t be an excuse for Chicago unless they have a nightmarish year from an injury standpoint.

For the Bears, the key will be how Caleb Williams adapts to playing within the confines of the offense. In 2024, Williams put a lot of pressure on his offensive line by holding onto the ball for a long time. In fact, he had the 4th-highest average time to throw for any QB to start 8 or more games in 2024, only behind Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, and Sam Darnold. The adjustment to Ben Johnson’s offense may be a lot for a 2nd year QB, so expecting the Bears to come out firing on all cylinders feels unrealistic. The Bears offense should make big strides throughout the season, and Week 1 and Week 18 should look like day and night.

Chicago’s defense has some things to be optimistic about. First and foremost, while Dennis Allen may be a bad HC, he’s a hell of a DC. In his time with New Orleans, he had 2 units that were top 5 in points and yards allowed, and another that was top 8 in those categories. Another point of optimism can be the secondary. Jaylon Johnson is a top 10 cornerback, Kyler Gordon is one of the better slot corners in the league, and Tyrique Stevenson is talented even though he has some immaturity issues to overcome. Those three players with Byard and Brisker playing off of them should be a reliable group. There are some injury concerns in camp with Johnson and Gordon, so if those 2 miss games or are have their play affected by these injuries, that’s a big blow to the defense. The linebackers and defensive line have some question marks, but Allen’s been known to elevate those position groups in his time as a coordinator. In the end, the defense might be the steadier of the 2 units for the Bears.

Record Prediction: 7-10