The NFC North is proving once again that it might just be the NFL's toughest division. Coming off a 2025 season where it was the only division in the league to boast four teams with winning records, the North is as competitive as ever. Last year alone, we saw the Bears go from worst to first, while the Lions took the opposite plunge—proof that any team can rise or fall in this unpredictable group.
Over the past few years, some massive player acquisitions have reshaped the landscape. The Lions have hit home runs in the draft, landing stars like defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and running back Jahmyr Gibbs. The Bears struck gold when quarterback Caleb Williams hit his stride in his second season. The Packers moved on from Aaron Rodgers, handed the keys to Jordan Love in 2023, and made a blockbuster trade for Micah Parsons to shore up their defense—before his ACL injury last season. Meanwhile, the Vikings have leaned on superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson and their outstanding 2024 free-agent class to stay in the mix.
Looking ahead to this year's free agency and draft, there aren't any obvious game-changers among the new additions—yet. But as always, some newcomers will make a huge impact (and Vikings fans are hoping Kyler Murray leads that list this season).
Right now, all four NFC North teams are loaded with talent, but they've also seen key players depart. On balance, each squad is either holding steady or looks slightly weaker than they did at this point last year, with OTAs just around the corner. Let's break down the division, working from top to bottom based on last season's standings—and hold off on any season predictions until early September.
The defending division champs appear to have taken a small step back. They benefited from a last-place schedule and quarterback Caleb Williams' heroics last season (plus the Vikings' shaky kickoff coverage in their December matchup). But the losses are piling up: Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman retired, and leading wide receiver D.J. Moore was traded to Buffalo. On defense, the Bears also lost their leading tackler, Trema—leaving big questions as the new season approaches.