How Bears stack up in NFC North following NFL free agency moves
The NFC North might’ve been the NFL’s best division last season, with no signs of relinquishing the top spot.
The Lions, Vikings and Packers all employed upper-echelon head coaches. The Lions and Packers had stability at quarterback, and Kevin O’Connell got so much out of Sam Darnold.
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The Bears started well before spiraling out of control during a 10-game losing streak that cost Shane Waldron and Matt Eberflus their jobs.
This offseason seems to have made things more competitive in the division, without significant dropoff from any team. Let’s take a look at how the division stands roughly midway through the offseason, with free agency largely in the rearview and the NFL coming up next.
CHICAGO BEARS
You won’t see the Bears biggest offseason addition in the list below. That’s reserved for players. Head coach Ben Johnson gives the Bears instant street cred and access to an elite offensive play caller who will have a dramatic, positive impact on this franchise. So will defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, especially with some of the new defensive playmakers below.
The Bears have “won” offseasons before, but this assembly of coaching and player talent makes the spring feel different. Optimism seems warranted. If Caleb Williams can develop and thrive working with Johnson and a new-look offensive line, the Bears should show vast improvement. If general manager Ryan Poles can add a few more instant impact players in the draft, the Bears could be a force in the division.
Key additions
- EDGE Dayo Odeyingbo
- DL Grady Jarrett
- C Drew Dalman
- OL Joe Thuney
- OL Jonah Jackson
- WR Olamide Zaccheaus
- WR/RS Devin Duvernay
Important extensions/re-signings
- DL Chris Williams
- CB/RS Josh Blackwell
DETROIT LIONS
Detroit took some significant blows to Dan Campbell’s coaching staff, with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson hired to coach the Bears and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn leaving to be Jets head coach. That’s a lot of leadership and football accumen walking out the door, though Dan Campbell should be able to keep the culture intact.
The Lions still have tons of talent on the roster operating systems that won’t change much, so it’s fair to expect Detroit’s championship window to remain open. The Lions have been excellent mining from the draft, so a few more hits should keep this outfit going strong.
Key additions
- CB D.J. Reed
- DL Roy Lopez
Important exentions/re-signings
- LB Derrick Barnes
- DT Levi Onwuzurike
- EDGE Marcus Davenport
GREEN BAY PACKERS
The Packers weren’t super active in free agency, though they spent decent sums on Aaron Banks and Nate Hobbs, plus Mecole Hardman’s now in the mix. They’ve got most important pieces returning in Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs. Matt LaFleur’s as good as they get at head coach. Continuity and improved health will help the Packers as well, but it’s hard to say they’re vastly improved unit. They were good before and should be good again.
Key additions
- OL Aaron Banks
- CB Nate Hobbs
Important extensions/re-signings
- K Brandon McManus
- LB Isaiah McDuffie
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
The Bears are often credited with making the most improvements in free agency. The Vikings are right up there with them. Minnesota let Sam Darnold walk, and used the money the quarterback would’ve earned to shore up their offensive and defensive lines. They were able to keep Byron Murphy, Aaron Jones and Harrison Smith, ensuring that the Vikes would be well prepared to support (likely, anyway) a starting quarterback in J.J. McCarthy who hasn’t taken a regular-season snap. He missed the entire season with a knee issue, but the Michigan product is a talented individual and a winner.
How he fares will dictate their level of competitiveness, but having head coach Kevin O’Connell and receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison there should ease the transition.
Key additions
- OL Will Fries
- DL Jonathan Allen
- DL Javon Hargrave
- C Ryan Kelly
- CB Isaiah Rodgers
Important extensions/re-signings
- CB Byron Murphy
- RB Aaron Jones
- S Harrison Smith
- S Theo Jackson
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