Green Bay Packers
4. Minnesota Vikings
2023 Record: 7-10
Don’t let this projected fourth-place finish fool you; I fully expect the Vikings to be something quite close to a good team in 2024. I also don’t think it matters too much who their quarterback is, whether it’s Sam Darnold or some rookie. Minnesota is absolutely loaded on offense with two-star receivers, a star tight end, and a newly acquired star running back in Aaron Jones. Their offense will be good,, which should be enough to guarantee a respectable win-loss record, even in this brutally tough division.
The Vikings have also done a strong job at keeping their defense formidable despite losing star pass rusher Danielle Hunter to the Houston Texans. Among their nine defensive signings in free agency were linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, both of whom are expected to play a big role in reshaping Minnesota’s pass rush.
What will ultimately leave the Vikings in the division basement will be how their quarterback situation stacks up with that of the other three teams. Sam Darnold will simply not stack up with Jordan Love, Jared Goff, or Caleb Williams.
3. Chicago Bears
2023 Record: 7-10
The Bears’ decision to trade Justin Fields to the Steelers just over two weeks ago left no doubt of their intentions to select Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. There will rightfully be immediate expectations for this team to contend for a playoff spot. Chicago more than doubled their win total from 2022 to 2023, and it would be fair to suggest that they should probably increase their win total again by some amount in 2024.
With 13 signings in free agency and the re-signing of emergent star cornerback Jaylon Johnson, the Bears have their best team since 2020, which happens to be the last time they made the playoffs. Inexperience will likely be what prevents them from surpassing the top two teams. With that being said, 9 or 10 wins looks to be well within reach.
2. Detroit Lions
2023 Record: 12-5
Coming off their best season in over 60 years, the Detroit Lions are in unfamiliar territory. How will they respond now that the expectations are real and not just a product of blind hope? With what will likely be a considerably tougher division in 2024, it might be difficult for the Lions to live up to last season’s success. That doesn't mean they shouldn’t still be a very good football team.
Detroit has had a quiet yet impactful free agency so far, securing the services of offensive guard Kevin Zeitler and defensive tackle DJ Reader, among several others. To be fair, last year’s Lions team did not have many holes. Let’s not forget that it took a monumental second-half collapse to keep them from the Super Bowl. However, now they are surrounded by a group of young, talented teams that have improved their rosters from last year. Winning the NFC North title will be a tougher ask this year.
1. Green Bay Packers
2023 Record: 9-8
Yes, the Packers have done it again. To the scorn of their three division rivals, they’ve made a direct transition from star quarterback to star quarterback for a second time. As Jordan Love begins his second season as the starting quarterback, Green Bay looks primed to remain near the top of the NFL food chain.
The Packers were the NFC’s biggest overachiever last season. In what many predicted to be a transitional year, Green Bay not only made the postseason but also dominated the heavily favored Cowboys in the Wild Card Round. They even gave the eventual NFC champion 49ers a serious game the following week. Keep in mind that they accomplished all of this while having the NFL’s youngest roster by average age.
Fast forward one offseason, and the Packers have significantly upgraded at running back, swapping Aaron Jones for the younger, more dynamic Josh Jacobs. And while Green Bay has otherwise remained rather abstinent in bringing in new players, we can ask ourselves: are they really missing that much? All of their young talent will have another year of experience under their belt come September, and after how last season went, maybe experience is all they need.
