The Detroit Lions are the reigning NFC North Champions, but it's a new season which means everyone is back on an even playing field putting in the preparations for training camp and the upcoming NFL season.
Can quarterback J.J. McCarthy lead a talented Minnesota Vikings roster on an NFC North title run in his first season as a starter? Can quarterback Jordan Love and Green Bay's new receiving weapons help the pass game enough to make a run at the division title? Will new head coach Ben Johnson have an immediate impact on the Chicago Bears?
As the four teams in the NFC North roll toward the start of training camp next month, let's take a look at some of the biggest changes heading into 2025 for each team in the division:
DETROIT
2024 record: 15-2 (won division)
Biggest change from 2024: Two new coordinators
Johnson, who coordinated one of the top offenses in the NFL over the last two years, left to be the head coach in Chicago. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is now the head coach of the New York Jets. That means Detroit starts 2025 with John Morton running the offense and Kelvin Sheppard heading up the defense.
Morton has said he doesn't plan on changing a lot schematically, but there are some things he's liked to run over the years at various stops that he'll look to add to Detroit's scheme. The other challenge for Morton is not being able to rely on All-Pro center Frank Ragnow to handle all the protections.
That's a significant blow as Ragnow was one of the best centers in football. Detroit will have at least two new starters upfront along their offensive line in 2025 but do return quarterback Jared Goff and all of their skill weapons from the top scoring offense in the NFL last year.
Head coach Dan Campbell has been preparing Sheppard for this role for a couple years, and Detroit should be significantly better defensively after seeing 18 defenders, including a number of core pieces, miss a lot of last season due to injury. It's a mostly experienced unit that will need to stay healthy and be more productive in 2025 if the Lions are going to reach their goal of winning a Super Bowl.
Key stat: The Lions had five different players produce at least seven touchdowns last season, a new franchise record. (Jahmyr Gibbs, 20; Amon-Ra St. Brown, 12; David Montgomery, 12; Jameson Williams, 8; Sam LaPorta, 7)
Twentyman: I think Lions fans can take solace in the fact that Philadelphia replaced both their offensive and defensive coordinators last season and they went on to win the Super Bowl. Campbell is the constant in this equation, and he's got a pretty good track record of putting together a good staff that gets the most out of their players.
Morton was on Campbell's staff in 2022 as the pass game coordinator when this offense was built around Goff, so there's a lot of familiarity with his concepts and things he likes to run. Sheppard's been on staff since Campbell arrived in 2021, so there should be a lot of continuity there defensively.
"It's been good for me coming in and having to work with him so closely to now have him as the coordinator," MIKE linebacker Jack Campbell said of Sheppard. "I feel like it allows me to know what he's thinking going into a game week. I'm really excited about that."
View some of the best photos from Detroit Lions offseason workouts, OTAs and rookie minicamp.
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) and Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 8, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) and Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed (4) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 4, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 4, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein (61) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 4, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 4, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Ronnie Bell (10) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 4, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 4, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Erick Hallett (36) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 4, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (97) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein (61) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (39), Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) and Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Mitchell Agude (50) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick (12) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 27, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) and Detroit Lions safety Dan Jackson (28) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick (12) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) and Detroit Lions safety Erick Hallett (36) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Malik Taylor (86) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (39) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 30, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Marcus Davenport (92) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) and Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 24, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Roy Lopez (51) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on May 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 27, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 15, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 20, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Miles Frazier during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 14, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 29, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 28, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on April 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running backs coach Tashard Choice during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) and Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) and Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 7, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Keith Cooper Jr. during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Dan Jackson during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 5, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 1, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 1, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (9) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 1, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0), Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 7, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
MINNESOTA
2024 record: 14-3
Biggest change from 2024: New starting quarterback
The McCarthy era looks to have begun in Minnesota. The 2024 first-round pick by the Vikings is slated to start this season after missing all of last year with a torn MCL suffered in the preseason.
He takes over for Sam Darnold, who left Minnesota in free agency for Seattle. The Vikings are hoping McCarthy can have the same kind of success in Kevin O'Connell's offense that Darnold enjoyed last season when he was fifth in passing yards (4,319), fifth in touchdowns (35), sixth in passer rating (102.5) and earned his first career Pro Bowl nod. Minnesota has one of the best collections of skill weapons in the NFL that should help ease McCarthy's transition into the starting role.
Key stat: Darnold had a 125.7 passer rating when blitzed last season, the second highest rating in the NFL. He threw 11 touchdowns and no interceptions when opponents brought an extra rusher. A lot of that comes with experience and knowing where to go with the football.
Twentyman: McCarthy got a chance to sit and watch the veteran Darnold operate O'Connell's offense at a really high level after suffering the knee injury in the preseason. Sometimes that can be an advantage for a young quarterback. Stepping into the starting role, it's important to show his command of the offense and the huddle as he racks up reps with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Tai Felton and all of the Vikings' weapons.
GREEN BAY
2024 record: 11-6
Biggest change from 2024: New receiving weapons for Love
The Packers are enjoying a lot of continuity heading into the 2025 season as they return their play caller in head coach Matt LaFleur and all three of their coordinators. Between the white lines, the Packers return a whopping 84.5 percent of last year's roster, per Over the Cap. Only Denver (86 percent) returned a higher percentage.
The biggest change will be offensively as the Packers try to integrate newly drafted wide receivers Matthew Golden (first round) and Savion Williams (third). Green Bay is looking for a true No. 1 receiver and a consistent playmaker for Love. It's the one thing the Packers' offense has truly lacked the last couple seasons.
Key stat: Green Bay's 7.5 drop percentage on catchable passes last year was the highest in the NFL.
Twentyman: The Packers had a top five rushing attack and top five overall defense last year but were just middle of the pack as a passing offense. If Golden and Williams can make an immediate impact there, Green Bay has a chance to be a much better football team overall heading into 2025.
Love is entering his third season as the signal caller and is 18-14 as a starter the last two seasons. He's had to deal with drops, injuries and just overall inconsistency from the receiver corps the last two years, and the Packers are hoping he and the team can really take off if they get more consistency from that group moving forward.
View photos of Detroit Lions second-round pick Tate Ratledge from the 2025 offseason.
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) during OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center on June 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 15, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 15, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 14, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 12, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during offseason workouts at the Meijer Performance Center on May 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
CHICAGO
2024 record: 5-12
Biggest change from 2024: New head coach
Johnson takes over in Chicago after leading one of the best offenses in Detroit the last two seasons. The Bears are hoping Johnson's arrival can take second-year quarterback Caleb Williams' game to new heights.
Williams was selected No. 1 overall in last year's draft and completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Those aren't bad numbers for a rookie quarterback who faced as much pressure as Williams did as a rookie.
Johnson's first order of business was fixing Chicago's issues upfront by signing three veteran offensive linemen in free agency. Their first three picks in the draft were a tight end (Colston Loveland), wide receiver (Luther Burden) and offensive lineman (Ozzy Trapilo). Johnson is serious about turning the Bears' offense into one of the better units in the NFL.
Key stat: Williams faced 260 quarterback pressures in 2024, the most in the NFL. He also had the most unblocked pressures (105) and unblocked sacks (13) in the league.
Twentyman: No team is better positioned than Chicago to see a significant increase in the win column from last season. Johnson inherits a roster that was better than the five wins would indicate, and the Bears had a really nice offseason adding key pieces along both fronts. Johnson knows being strong upfront and in the middle is the key to sustained success in this league. If he can help Williams take a big leap in production in Year 2, this Chicago team could compete in the NFC North race.
