By Sunday 
A New Season, A New Order?
The NFC North was a cage fight in 2024 — three playoff-caliber teams slugging it out while the Bears played quiet observer from the basement. But heading into 2025, the balance of power is shifting, and not everyone is moving in the same direction.
While Chicago is patching up the walls and finally looking like a real house, Detroit might be leaking from the roof. And Green Bay? They’re quietly reloading, aiming to swipe the crown from under everyone’s nose.
Let’s break it down.
Bears: Building a Fortress for Caleb
After watching Caleb Williams get tossed around like a ragdoll last season — sacked 68 times — GM Ryan Poles did what any good protector of the future would do: invest in bodyguards.
Enter Jonah Jackson, Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman — and that’s not even mentioning the sneaky-smart hire of head coach Ben Johnson, the man who engineered Detroit’s offensive rise. Williams now has a cleaner pocket, a more creative system, and a few new weapons in Olamide Zaccheaus and Colston Loveland.
Yeah, Keenan Allen and Teven Jenkins are out, but honestly? That’s like swapping out a pair of old Jordans for some fresh cleats. The Bears aren’t just better. They might be dangerous.
Lions: That’s a Lot of Holes, Detroit
Let’s be honest — losing BOTH coordinators in one offseason is a nightmare, even for a team that won 15 games last year.
Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn weren’t just clipboard holders — they were the brains behind the muscle. Now? They’re gone. And to add insult, heart-and-soul center Frank Ragnow hung up his cleats at 29. That’s a punch to the gut of the offensive line and locker room leadership.
D.J. Reed helps the secondary, but you’re replacing a corner with a corner. It’s a neutral move, not a game-changer. Same goes for Kenny Yeboah and Roy Lopez. And Za’Darius Smith? Still unsigned.
For all Dan Campbell’s grit and bravado, he’ll need new thinkers beside him — and quick — or this team could spend the first half of the season trying to find its footing again.
Packers: Quiet Climb to the Top
Green Bay fans had plenty to gripe about in 2024 — the 1-5 division record stung, no doubt. But here’s the twist: they still made the playoffs, and they’re coming into 2025 better, faster, and cleaner.
Jaire Alexander’s release may seem like a headline loss, but let’s be real — he wasn’t on the field enough to make a weekly difference. In his place? Nate Hobbs, a no-drama, high-effort guy who actually plays. On offense, Matthew Golden brings speed, Mecole Hardman brings flash, and Josh Myers’ departure might’ve improved the offensive line just by happening.
The Packers’ floor might still be uncertain, but their ceiling? Higher than it’s been in a while.
Vikings: All Bets on McCarthy
Minnesota went bold — or reckless, depending on who you ask. They dumped Sam Darnold and handed the keys to rookie J.J. McCarthy. It’s a high-stakes play in a division full of pressure.
Yes, they beefed up the defense with names like Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, and Ryan Kelly should shore up the O-line. But quarterback is still the difference-maker in this league. And a rookie, no matter how talented, is a gamble.
If McCarthy is the real deal, the Vikes might not miss a beat. But if he’s not? The purple might fall flat.
Who’s Really on the Rise?
Here’s the quick-and-dirty version:
- Bears: Improved and intriguing — especially with Ben Johnson pulling the strings.
- Lions: Lost too much to not feel it — both on the field and in the locker room.
- Packers: Quietly upgraded in key spots. Don’t sleep on them.
- Vikings: Defense upgraded, but the rookie QB roll of the dice could make or break the season.
2025 in the NFC North won’t be a rerun — it’s a remix. And this time, the Bears and Packers might have a shot at running the show.