If the NFC North isn't the best division in the NFL, it's got to be the most competitive from top to bottom entering the 2026 season.
Each of the four teams in this division has legitimate playoff aspirations, and you could probably make an argument as to why each of the four teams in this division could win the division in the upcoming season.
But as always, there are also holes to poke in all of those cases. It's been a busy offseason for every team in the NFC North, as the Packers, Lions, and Vikings are now playing catch-up to the division champion Chicago Bears, and they've all made massive changes to their coaching staff and/or rosters to make that happen.
Our latest NFL Power Rankings are going to take a look at the NFC North as we get into the thick of OTAs around the league, ranking each of these teams from worst to best and trying to sort out what this division could look like in 2026.
NFL Power Rankings: Bears still have a firm grip on top spot of NFC North rankings
4. Minnesota Vikings
Based on how good the Vikings have been since Kevin O'Connell took over as their head coach (43-27 including the playoffs since 2022), it's really difficult to project the Vikings as a 4th-place finisher again in the 2026 season. But that did happen last season, so it's not like it's out of the realm of possibility...even with a winning record.
That's how competitive the NFC North is, and that's how thin the margin for error is right now for teams in this division.
The Vikings are hoping that Kyler Murray can return to the form he showed earlier in his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals, bringing him in on a one-year deal as a potential reclamation project. That move is a sign that the team realizes the error of its ways in letting go of Sam Darnold in favor of 1st-round pick JJ McCarthy. And we haven't likely heard the end of McCarthy, either.
But the Vikings have other issues on paper after this offseason. The defensive line was absolutely gutted with players like Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Allen, and Jonathan Greenard now gone. Even though the Vikings have players in place to replace them, we are talking about a lot of key veterans who racked up sacks, TFLs, and QB hits for Brian Flores.
The Vikings are still a very talented team, and could be the best team in the division if Murray is able to play as well as they hope.
3. Green Bay Packers
Once again, I really struggle to put the Green Bay Packers this low. It was an injury to Micah Parsons against the Broncos late last season that completely derailed the Packers' title hopes, and they seemed to be on that type of trajectory with the way they were playing.
Parsons is working his way back from injury, and because of their salary cap limitations, the Packers have had to make some sacrifices this offseason, including a number of notable veterans on either side of the ball (Romeo Doubs, Elgton Jenkins, Dontayvion Wicks, Rashan Gary, among others).
But you have to figure that with Matt LaFleur at the helm and Jordan Love at the quarterback position, this team is going to be extremely competitive every single week. And if Parsons can return to form quickly this season, I'm highly intrigued by Jonathan Gannon taking over this defense.
We've seen how productive some pass rushers can be under Gannon, and I wouldn't be shocked if the Packers even pull off a trade for someone like Josh Sweat to further upgrade that unit.
This Packers team is taking a leap of faith in some areas of the roster, but it's still pretty loaded from top to bottom on both sides of the ball, even with those key departures.
2. Detroit Lions
I've said it a million times already this offseason, but I can't think of a more disappointing team in the 2025 season than the Detroit Lions.
Of course, the Lions lost Ben Johnson last offseason, and that was detrimental to their offense as they wound up replacing him with veteran assistant coach Johnny Morton, who was demoted during the regular season. Now, Drew Petzing is in charge of that group, and getting them back to playing at a championship level week after week.
He'll have to do that without David Montgomery, who was sent over to the Texans in a trade.
The Lions' defense is still the one area of the team that you can't exactly count on right now, and I'm not sure where you hang your hat to say they got better this offseason. Staying healthy on that side of the ball would be a start, but the Lions have simply not been aggressive enough in the past two offseasons when it comes to upgrading the edge position opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
There will be a lot of pressure on 2nd-round pick Derrick Moore as a result.
1. Chicago Bears
I want to start of by saying -- I'm not sure the Bears have the best roster in the NFC North. I'm not sure this is truly the best all-around team in the division. The Bears simply have the right formula and combination at the quarterback position, and I'm really buying the short and long-term future of Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams together.
Like I said earlier, you can poke holes in the case for any of these teams, and for the Bears, it's the question of why they didn't do more to upgrade the pass rush this offseason.
There's still time to do something, but at this point, most ships have sailed and the Bears will be left with what they've got. They could still try and bring in a veteran like Cam Jordan or Von Miller, but does anyone move the needle for this team all that much?
Chicago's defense was a takeaway machine last season, but that's something you can't exactly bank on every year, especially when you change personnel.
I love Chicago's offense, but the defense makes me worried that this ranking is going to look foolish midway through the regular season.