Last season, I previewed an exciting season for the NFC North. To say the least, the NFC North even over performed the hype. It ended up arguably being the best division in football.
However, this season has even more questions than answers. First, you have the Lions. The Lions came off a season full of Super Bowl aspirations, only to be cut quickly by the red-hot Commanders. However, Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn’s performances landed them head coaching gigs. The Lions will have a new look offense and defense.
The Vikings, led by Sam Darnold, surprised many by exceeding expectations. The coaching of Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores received praise. While the Vikings lost to the Rams in the first round of the playoffs, the season was considered a success. Now they will transition to JJ McCarthy, hoping to be back in playoff contention.
The Bears are coming off an underwhelming year. While the addition of Caleb Williams was incredibly promising, the coaching staff didn’t survive the season. Capped off by disastrous clock management, the Bears decided to go in a different direction. The hire of former Lions Offensive Coordinator, Ben Johnson, is looking to get Williams and the offense back on track.
Chicago Bears: The Addition of Ben Johnson
2024 Record: 4-13
2025 Prediction: UNDER 8.5 wins (-155)
Key Departures: Keenan Allen
Key Additions/Players Staying: Head Coach Ben Johnson, Jonah Jackson, Kyler Gordon, Dayo Odebyingo, Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman
Notable Draft Picks: Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III, Shemar Turner
The Chicago Bears had the entire eyes of the NFL on them. With the selection of Caleb Williams, the Bears seemed to have life energized in the franchise for the first time in years.
With the Bears under a microscope by being on Hard Knocks, every move was watched and judged closely. A season full of promise ended in disaster. Matt Eberflus and Shane Waldron lost their jobs due to major coaching malpractices. The coaching issue in Chicago was so bad, that players were even voicing their concerns.
So, the Bears found themselves yet again, having to revamp their team. Continuously looking for a suitable solution, ownership landed on former Lions Offensive Coordinator, Ben Johnson.
Johnson has received praise for his work on the Lions. Notably placing Jared Goff in positive situations and designing a very creative and evolving offense.
With Johnson leading the team, the Bears have the chance to have their franchise respected in the eyes of the NFL. Coaching and discipline have seemed to lack, so their success this year is completely reliant on correcting this.
I do believe the Bears are going to have some improvement. However, I do suspect a finish around eight wins, doubling their total from last year. They even won a game against the Packers during the final game of the season. If anything, it can be a building block to giving this team the confidence it needs to move forward.
Green Bay Packers: Seeing Gold
2024 Record: 11-6
2025 Prediction: OVER 9.5 wins (-110)
Key Departures: Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, AJ Dillon, TJ Slaton
Key Additions/Players Staying: Zach Tom, Aaron Banks, Nate Hobbs, Bo Melton (Switched Positions from WR to CB)
Notable Draft Picks: Matthew Golden, Barryn Sorrell, Savion Williams
The Packers are coming off a very exciting offseason. For the first time, Green Bay hosted the draft. Fans from all across the country gathered to experience the culture and hospitality of Green Bay.
Night one of the draft lived up to all the hype and expectation. The Packers stunned most by taking a wide receiver in the first round, and not just any wide receiver. A star in the making, Matthew Golden has all the buzz surrounding his rookie year.
Last year was a disappointment. The season started with Jordan Love falling to injury in a game versus the Eagles in Brazil. From that moment forward, nothing truly was the same. The offense never sustained any sort of rhythm. Love clearly never felt one hundred percent healthy.
To add insult to injury, none of the wide receivers could catch a pass. The Packers suffered from the most drops in the NFL. The season is not starting well on the receiver front with several already injured.
On the bright side, Golden is a promising step in getting the receiver room where it needs to be to compete at the top of the division.
Jeff Hafley got the defense to step up, and I expect the defense to continue to show improvement. Overall, the Packers have a lot of work to do to win the North again. If players stay healthy and the receivers catch consistently, Matt LaFleur can once again get the offense where it needs to be.
Minnesota Vikings: JJ McCarthy Takes Over
2024 Record: 14-3
2025 Prediction: OVER 8.5 wins (-150)
Key Departures: Sam Darnold, Ed Ingram, Garrett Bradbury, Stephon Gilmore
Key Additions/Players Staying: Byron Murphy, Harrison Smith, Andrew Van Ginkel, Javon Hargrove, Jonathan Allen, Aaron Jones
Notable Draft Picks: Donovan Jackson
The Vikings were ready to roll with JJ McCarthy eventually as their starting quarterback. The plan seemed to be let Sam Darnold start the season and ease McCarthy into the role.
However, that door shut rather quickly when McCarthy was injured in a preseason game. McCarthy was showing promise and generating positive reviews in training camp. After all, the Vikings acquired him in the first round of the 2024 Draft.
Nonetheless, Sam Darnold took over and had a season so impressive, that it earned him a contract with Seattle. Darnold will be the starting quarterback there. With the coaching and leadership of Kevin O’Connell, Darnold thrived.
While the season ended in the playoffs with a loss to the Rams, I consider their year a success. The Vikings exceeded expectations. I have no reason to believe that they will not be in playoff contention again this season.
McCarthy may be getting his first start as a pro, but with O’Connell’s direction, the entire team should be thriving yet again.
Detroit Lions: A Fresh Start with New Coordinators
2024 Record: 15-2
2025 Prediction: OVER 10.5 wins (-130)
Key Departures: Coordinators- Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, Frank Ragnow, Carlton Davis
Key Additions/Players Staying: Dan Skipper, Derrick Barnes, DJ Reed, Kerby Joseph
Notable Draft Picks: Tyleik Williams, Tate Ratledge
The Lions had one of the best seasons in franchise history. The past two seasons have been nothing short of impressive. The NFC North has belonged to the Lions for the second season in a row.
However, after being just one score away from the Super Bowl the prior season, this season ended differently. Being up 24-7 against the 49ers, fans could feel the excitement of what would have been their first Super Bowl appearance. The Lions were Super Bowl favorites for many.
After finding out that they would lose both coordinators to head coaching gigs, the Lions faced a tough opponent in the playoffs gaining a ton of momentum. The Washington Commanders, led by Jayden Daniels, stunned the Lions at home.
Now the Lions are facing a new chapter, one without their offensive and defensive coordinators. Aaron Glenn, became the head coach of the Jets. Meanwhile, Ben Johnson went to a division rival in the Bears.
Nonetheless, Dan Campbell’s leadership and the talent of the roster will still take them far. Super Bowl aspirations still remain on the table. The Lions-Packers opener proves to be telling on where each team stands.
Another season in the NFC North is looking to be even better than the last. I believe the Packers have all the ability to win the division this year. However, they will have another uphill climb to get there.
