One team has ruled the roost in this division each of the past two seasons. But it’s been a different kind of offseason for the Green Bay Packers.
Contrary to some beliefs, there’s a lot more going on in the NFC North these days than the daily Aaron Rodgers situation in Green Bay.
While the Packers finished 13-3 and captured the NFC North for the second consecutive year, the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions are all doing their best to rebound from non-winning campaigns.
Yes, Matt Nagy’s squad reach the playoffs for the second time in three seasons, this time via an 8-8 record. But things didn’t go as well for the Purple Gang as they followed up a 10-6 wild card campaign in 2019 by slipping to a disappointing 7-9. And it was another nightmarish season in the Motor City as the Lions finished in the divisional basement for the third straight year and head coach Matt Patricia didn’t make it through 2020.
Will the NFC North’s success continue in the 2021 season?
Over the past 10 seasons dating back to 2011, there has been a team from the NFC North reach the conference title game five times.
It’s actually happened five times in the past six years with Green Bay losing in 2014 (Seahawks), 2016 (Falcons) and the last two years to the 49ers and Buccaneers, respectively. And lest anyone forget, Mike Zimmer’s club was one win away from Super Bowl LII and got blown out in Philadelphia.
Of course, if and when the 2020 NFL MVP shows up for the start of training camp is seemingly on everyone’s mind. But there’s other questions to ponder when it comes to the other three clubs in the group.
NOTE: Teams are listed in order of finish in 2020.
Green Bay Packers: Is the Aaron Rodgers’ situation really a distraction?
Matt LaFleur’s team and the vast majority of the other 31 teams in the league open training camp on July 27. But will the NFL’s reigning Most Valuable Player be in attendance in Green Bay? Could Aaron Rodgers be in attendance by the time you get around to reading this?
There have been notable holdouts in the past but at times things have gotten a little ugly. But will a 16-year veteran who comes off a season in which he threw for 48 scores and only five interceptions actually stay away?
The 2020 NFL MVP and LaFleur’s club could still use a little help when it comes to the defense. Could Rodgers actually top his performance from a year ago? When camp opens, this could wind up being much to do about nothing…maybe.
Chicago Bears: Will rookie QB Justin Fields actually open the season vs. the Rams?
In 2017, general manager Ryan Pace moved up one spot in the first round that year and the Chicago Bears made University of North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky the second overall pick in the draft. It was an erratic four-year stay, the club wound up not picking up his fifth-year option and he’s now a member of the Buffalo Bills.
Before general manager Ryan Pace moved up in April’s draft to grab Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, the team did sign 10-year veteran signal-caller Andy Dalton. Head coach Matt Nagy’s club still has Nick Foles on the roster. But there was some clarity after the selection of the former Buckeye on April 29.
"“Matt has spoken to Andy Dalton tonight,” explained Pace (via Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times). That communication and clarity for us is really important. Andy is our starter, and we’re gonna have a really good plan in place to develop Justin and do what’s best for our organization and win games.”"
Stay tuned.
Minnesota Vikings: Is DE Danielle Hunter ready to spark a revived pass rush?
He missed the entire 2020 season with a herniated disk. And it’s safe to say that the Purple Gang missed what defensive end Danielle Hunter brings to the team.
A year after finishing 14th in the league in total defense, giving up 303 points and racking up 48 quarterback traps (14.5 by Hunter), Mike Zimmer’s squad allowed the sixth-most total yards in the league and only three clubs in the NFL allowed more points (475). The Vikings totaled only 23 sacks and the team forced only 22 turnovers, nine fewer than in 2019 (31).
Minnesota’s defensive front will have a different look this year with the return of Hunter, defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson rejoining the organization and the free-agent addition of Dalvin Tomlinson (Giants). But there is recent injury news regarding interior presence Michael Pierce (via Jack White of VikingsWire.com).
Detroit Lions: Is the team really ready to compete within the division?
During head coach Jim Caldwell’s four-year stay in the Motor City from 2014-17, the team amassed a combined 36-28 record, finished with a winning record three times and advanced to the playoffs in 2014 and 2016. Of course, the Detroit Lions were one and done when it came to postseason each time. All told, the franchise hasn’t won a playoff game since 1991.
Caldwell’s resume with the club included a combined 16-8 mark vs. the Packers, Bears and Vikings. But it has been a totally different story the past three seasons as the club is a dismal 3-15 vs. their NFC North rivals. The past two years, the Lions are winless vs. Green Bay and Minnesota and 1-3 vs. Chicago. New head coach Dan Campbell and his staff need to make this a priority if the team is to progress.