NFC North Preview: Can Bears join the Lions, Packers, Vikings in playoff hunt?

The NFC North produced three playoff teams a year ago, and at least on paper, none of them really took a step back in the offseason. It should be a neck-and-neck race between the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. 

Will the Lions rebound from a stunning playoff exit?

The Lions cruised through the regular season a year ago with the best record in the conference, only to get smacked down in the playoffs at home by the Washington Commanders. They have since lost both coordinators to head coaching jobs and pro-bowl center Frank Ragnow abruptly retired. Linebacker Derrick Barnes said they’ve already adjusted.

“Everybody that I’ve seen come here and play for us, we’re all driven the same,” Barnes said. “We all want to get better every day, always want to compete and want to win. I mean, when you have those things and when adversity comes, we know how to face that and we know how to move on from it.”

Barnes and the rest of the defense will get a big boost with the return of defensive end Aiden Hutchinson, who missed all but the first 6 games last year with a broken leg. He’s a defensive player of the year candidate. 

Can the Packers and Vikings take the next step?

The Lions will be tested right away. Their season-opening game is at Lambeau Field against hated rival Green Bay. The Packers are entering year three with quarterback Jordan Love at the controls. Aaron Rodgers was 27 when he won a Super Bowl. So was Brett Favre. Love turns 27 this year. He had an up-and-down 2024 but now has a slew of talented wide receivers to work with, including first-round pick Matthew Golden.

The quarterback position is also the focus in Minnesota. Sam Darnold is now in Seattle after his epic stumble in the playoffs last year. It’s now up to second-year star J.J. McCarthy from Michigan to keep things rolling while taking his first snaps in the NFL. There have been growing pains in camp, but Thursday night, he’ll hit the field in a preseason game for the first time since suffering a knee injury in the 2024 preseason. 

“Feeling the rush and feeling a couple hits and bouncing back and having to make those smart decisions after those hits,” McCarthy said of playing Thursday. “I just feel like the crowd noise, even though it’s at home, it’s still loud in there. All the different little things that you have to, you know, kind of adapt to as an offense and, it’s our first little test run. So, we’re extremely excited for it.”

Which players are looking to break out in 2025?

All eyes will be on No. 9, McCarthy, when the season kicks off against the rival Bears on Monday Night Football, Sept. 8. 

Others who are looking to break out in the NFC North include Lions center Graham Glasgow, who will replace the recently retired Ragnow.

Packers receiver Jayden Reed has led the team in receptions each of his first two seasons in the NFL but now has competition on the roster, including Matthew Golden from Texas. 

How much have the Bears improved?

The Chicago Bears need breakout seasons from a number of players but wide receiver Rome Odunze should be a top target.  

“I want to get the ball as early and as often as I can,” Odunze said. “As a wide receiver and as a playmaker, I feel like they have the ability to make this offense move up and have explosive plays. So, I want the ball every play but I play my role within the offense and Caleb is a great quarterback who’s going to be versatile with his weapons.”

Odunze is referring to star quarterback Caleb Williams, who, along with new head coach and former Lions OC Ben Johnson, should help the Bears score more points. A focus during the offseason was to improve the offensive line enough to give Williams time to make those big plays.

How fast the Bears put it all together will determine if they can climb out of the basement in a division full of teams with Super Bowl aspirations.