NFC North 2024 preview: Reasons for pessimism and optimism for each team

The NFC North stayed in the same in the front offices, with the general managers and head coaches all still in place among the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears. That’s a rarity in the NFL, but there were still a bunch of moves most notably at the top of the 2024 NFL Draft and two new starting quarterbacks in the division.

Kickoff for the 2024 NFL season is right around the corner. Where do each of the divisions in the NFL stand heading into the season? Here, we’ll be outlining the offseason subtractions, additions, coaching changes, reasons for optimism and reasons for pessimism for each team in the NFC North.

2023 Record: 7-10
2023 offense: 323.2 total yards per game (20th)
2023 defense: 324.2 total yards allowed per game (12th)

Subtractions: QB Justin Fields, DT Justin Jones, WR Darnell Mooney, C Cody Whitehair, S Eddie Jackson, RB D’Onta Foreman, OG Dan Feeney, DE Yannick Ngakoue, DE Rasheem Green

Additions: QB Caleb Williams, WR Rome Odunze, OT Kiran Amegadjie, P Tory Taylor, DE Austin Booker, WR Keenan Allen, RB D’Andre Swift, S Kevin Byard III, TE Gerald Everett, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy

The Bears have radically transformed their roster within the span of just 2 years. When general manager Ryan Poles took over, it was once arguably the worst wide receiver room in the NFL. Now, it’s one of the consensus top groups in the league. The Bears have a young, standout quarterback in Caleb Williams, and for once in franchise history, the rookie signal-caller has a tremendous supporting cast to work with. Shane Waldron figures to be an upgrade at offensive coordinator over Luke Getsy, too. Pair that with a dominant secondary and an underrated front seven, and the immediate future is looking pretty bright in Chicago.

If there’s one thing that will hold the Bears back in 2024, it’s a lack of a pass rush. Montez Sweat was tremendous in his Pro Bowl campaign, but they don’t have another proven, three-down starter at defensive end outside. The interior defensive line has potential, but it’s tough to project how much second-year players like Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens will improve. The Bears also have a rookie quarterback, and as talented as Williams is, it’s pretty rare teams led by one of those make the playoffs. That, along with concerns about head coach

Matt Eberflus’ ability to close games, could hold Chicago back.

2023 Record: 12-5
2023 offense: 394.8 total yards per game (3rd)
2023 defense: 336.1 total yards allowed per game (19th)

Subtractions: S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, OG Jonah Jackson, WR Josh Reynolds, CB Will Harris, S Tracy Walker, CB Cameron Sutton

Additions: CB Carlton Davis, CB Amik Robertson, DT D.J. Reader, OG Kevin Zeitler, DE Marcus Davenport, WR Tre’Quan Smith, CB Terrion Arnold, CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

The Lions were one of the best teams in the NFL last year, and one could argue they got even better this offseason. With the weapons Jared Goff has around him and the offensive line he has protecting him, Detroit’s offense should be in very good shape in 2024. Retaining offensive coordinator Ben Johnson for another year was a massive win. Their defense had some intriguing pieces to begin with, but when you shore up their need at secondary with a massive influx of new talent, there isn’t really a single position where the Lions got worse at, and that should be scary for the rest of the NFC North.

If you’re a Lions fan and have been one for quite some time, you have every reason to be pessimistic. Historically, the franchise just hasn’t been very good. Things certainly seem to be turning around, but the 49ers stand in their way as kings of the NFC. On the field, Goff is a good quarterback but does have limitations. Detroit’s secondary, while much better on paper, is still pretty young, which could provide for a learning curve in spurts this season.

2023 Record: 9-8
2023 offense: 345.5 total yards per game (11th)
2023 defense: 335.1 total yards allowed per game (17th)

Subtractions: RB Aaron Jones, OT David Bakhtiari, LB De’Vondre Campbell, S Darnell Savage, OT Yosh Nijman, S Jonathan Owens, S Rudy Ford, OG Jon Runyan, RB AJ Dillon (IR)

Additions: RB Josh Jacobs, S Xavier McKinney, OG Jordan Morgan, S Javon Bullard, LB Edgerrin Cooper, RB Mar’Shawn Lloyd

Two words: Jordan. Love.

After a shaky start to his first full year as Green Bay’s starter, Love tore it up in the latter half of the 2023 season. He earned the massive contract extension the Packers gave him, and he has a deep group of young weapons to throw to with a former Pro Bowl running back to hand the ball off to. The front-seven has plenty of intriguing pieces, and they’ve upgraded the safety position that was a weakness last year. The Packers caught fire at the right time last year, and they look like a threat to make a playoff run again this season.

A deep Packers postseason run would rely heavily on a bunch of young, fairly unproven players stepping up. Love has all the tools in the world, but it remains to be seen if his high-end play can be sustained. They don’t have a true WR1, and while many of their weapons are solid players, none of them have been dominant in the NFL to this point. The offensive line is also pretty young and carries some questions. On defense, Green Bay needs another cornerback to take that leap as a true threat opposite Jaire Alexander, who himself had a bit of a down year in 2023.

2023 Record: 7-10
2023 offense: 347.8 total yards per game (10th)
2023 defense: 333.2 total yards allowed per game (16th)

Subtractions: QB Kirk Cousins, LB Danielle Hunter, RB Alexander Mattison, DE Marcus Davenport, LB Jordan Hicks, LB D.J. Wonnum, WR K.J. Osborn

Additions: RB Aaron Jones, QB Sam Darnold, LB Andrew Van Ginkel, LB Jonathan Greenard, DT Jerry Tillery, LB Blake Cashman, CB Shaquill Griffin, CB Stephon Gilmore, QB J.J. McCarthy (out for year), LB Dallas Turner

As long as the Vikings have Justin Jefferson catching the ball and Kevin O’Connell calling plays on offense, they should be in good shape. Add in T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison, and Minnesota has one of the best groups of weapons in the NFC. Aaron Jones provides an upgrade at running back, too. Danielle Hunter was a big loss for the front-seven, but the Vikings more than made up for it by adding Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner all to their edge rusher room. Those three should do some damage with defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

By far the biggest concern with the Vikings is their quarterback position. They drafted J.J. McCarthy in Round 1, but he’ll miss his entire rookie season due to a torn meniscus. That leaves Sam Darnold as the undisputed starter, and he hasn’t done anything to inspire much confidence as a full-time starting QB in the NFL. Hockenson will also miss the first few weeks of the 2024 season, further hurting the passing attack, and the interior offensive line is questionable. On defense, the Vikings still have quite a bit to prove along their interior defensive line and at the cornerback position.