The NFL Draft and free agency preparations for the four teams in the NFC North are well under way as they look to assemble a roster that will give one of them a chance to play in Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles in 2027.
Here's a primer on where things currently stand within the division heading into the offseason:
CHICAGO
2025 record: 11-6 (NFC North champions)
Coaching and front office changes: The leadership structure from general manager Ryan Poles to head coach Ben Johnson stays intact but Chicago did lose assistant general manager Ian Cunningham, who takes over as Atlanta's new general manager.
Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle left to become Baltimore's offensive coordinator and running backs coach Eric Bieniemy returned to Kansas City to be their offensive coordinator.
Draft picks: Round 1-25, Round 2-57, Round 3-89, Round 4-129, Round 5-163, Round 7-239, Round 7-241.
Key free agents: S Kevin Byard, S Jaquan Brisker, DT Andrew Billings, CB Nahshon Wright.
Current salary cap space (via overthecap.com): $-5.3 million
Twentyman: After going from worst to first place in the division, it feels like Chicago has staying power to be a player in the NFC North title picture and NFC playoff picture for years to come. Quarterback Caleb Williams is only going to continue to get better under Johnson's tutelage as Chicago continues to put pieces around him. The Bears might have to replace some key players on defense so boosting the talent level and depth on that side of the football should be priority No. 1 for Poles this offseason after finishing last season 23rd in points allowed and 29th in total defense.
View photos of Detroit Lions players competing at the 2026 Pro Bowl Games in San Francisco.
NFC wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, middle, of the Detroit Lions, scores against the AFC during the first half of the NFL Pro Bowl football game, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) plays during the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (Doug Benc/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) plays during the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (Vera Nieuwenhuis/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) carries the ball during the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (Doug Benc/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) scores a touchdown during the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (Doug Benc/AP Content Services for the NFL)
AFC running back James Cook (4), of the Buffalo Bills, is tackled by NFC linebacker Jack Campbell (46), of the Detroit Lions, during the first half of the NFL Pro Bowl football game, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) and Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) celebrate after St. Brown scored a touchdown during the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (Doug Benc/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs plays during the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (Vera Nieuwenhuis/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs plays during the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (Vera Nieuwenhuis/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff plays during the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (Vera Nieuwenhuis/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) plays during the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (Vera Nieuwenhuis/AP Content Services for the NFL)
NFC quarterback Jared Goff (16), of Detroit Lions, passes the ball against the AFC during the first half of the NFL Pro Bowl football game, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown yells during the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (Vera Nieuwenhuis/AP Content Services for the NFL)
AFC wide receiver Nico Collins, of the Houston Texans, middle, runs against NFC free safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31), of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and linebacker Jack Campbell, of the Detroit Lions, during the first half of NFL Pro Bowl football game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) talks with Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (Vera Nieuwenhuis/AP Content Services for the NFL)
NFC quarterbacks Dak Prescott (4), of the Dallas Cowboys, Jared Goff (16), of Detroit Lions, and quarterback Jalen Hurts (1), of the Philadelphia Eagles, are introduced before the NFL Pro Bowl football game against the AFC, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
NFC running back Bijan Robinson (7), of the Atlanta Falcons, tight end Trey McBride (85), of the Arizona Cardinals, tight end Jake Ferguson (87), of the Dallas Cowboys, and running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0), of the Detroit Lions, are introduced before the NFL Pro Bowl football game against the AFC, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard (31) talk during the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (Doug Benc/AP Content Services for the NFL)
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) and Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) talk during the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (Doug Benc/AP Content Services for the NFL)
NFC quarterback Jared Goff (16), of Detroit Lions, celebrates with running back Christian McCaffrey (23), of the San Francisco 49ers, after the NFL Pro Bowl football game against the AFC, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
GREEN BAY
2025 record: 9-7-1
Coaching and front office changes: The Packers are undergoing several changes to their coaching staff for the 2026 season. Head coach Matt LaFleur hired former Arizona head coach Jonathan Gannon to be his new defensive coordinator to replace Jeff Hafley, who left to become the Miami Dolphins head coach.
Green Bay also lost linebackers coach Sean Duggan (Miami DC), quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion (Philadelphia OC), defensive backs coach Ryan Downard (Miami secondary coach), defensive pass game coordinator Derrick Ansley (replaced by Bobby Babich), defensive quality control coach Wendel Davis (Miami) and defensive analyst Nathaniel Hackett (Miami QB coach).
Draft picks: Round 2-52, Round 3-84, Round 4-120, Round 5-158, Round 6-199, Round 7-236, Round 7-254, Round 7-257.
Key free agents: LT Rasheed Walker, LB Quay Walker, QB Malik Willis, WR Romeo Doubs.
Current salary cap space (via overthecap.com): $-1.4 million
Twentyman: Gannon was a good get for the Packers as defensive coordinator. He did a great job in that role in Philadelphia in 2021 and 2022 before taking the Arizona head coaching job. This is still a pretty young Packers roster with talented players on both sides of the football. They should be in the thick of the division title race in 2026. If edge rusher Micah Parsons returns to form following ACL surgery and Green Bay can add impact players to their defense and offensive line, they'll be right in the NFC North race next season.
MINNESOTA
2025 record: 9-8
Coaching and front office changes: After four seasons the Vikings have decided to move on from general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Minnesota will not conduct a GM search until after the draft, and executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski will lead the personnel side until then.
On the coaching side, defensive backs/passing game coordinator Daronte Jones left to become Washington's defensive coordinator. Offensive line coach Chris Kuper wasn't retained and assistant head coach/outside linebackers coach Mike Pettine retired. Minnesota re-signed defensive coordinator Brian Flores to a new deal.
Draft picks: Round 1-18, Round 2-49, Round 3-82, Round 3-97, Round 5-161, Round 6-194, Round 7-234, Round 7-240.
Key free agents: LB Eric Wilson, WR Jalen Nailor, QB Carson Wentz.
Current salary cap space (via overthecap.com): $-40.1 million
Twentyman: The first thing Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell and the Vikings must figure out is if J.J. McCarthy is the answer at quarterback. They chose McCarthy over Sam Darnold last offseason. Darnold led Seattle to a Super Bowl while McCarthy's passer rating of 72.6 ranked 40th among the league's signal callers in 2025. He threw 11 touchdowns vs. 12 interceptions. If it is McCarthy under center, Minnesota needs to see improvement from him to become contenders again.
Defensively, re-signing Flores was huge. Minnesota was No. 3 in total defense, No. 7 in scoring defense, No. 6 in hurry percentage and tied with Detroit for the fourth most sacks in the league this season with 49.
View photos of Detroit Lions player introductions from the 2025 season.
Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (97) before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Detroit. (Carl Jones II/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (97) before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad (96) before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams (91) before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (97) before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) before an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) before an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) before an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) before an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58), Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74), Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68), and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Marcus Davenport (92) before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (97) before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69), Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16), and Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed (4) before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
DETROIT
2025 record: 9-8
Coaching and front office changes: Head coach Dan Campbell decided to move on from John Morton as offensive coordinator and hire former Arizona offensive coordinator Drew Petzing to take over the same role in Detroit. Petzing seems like a good philosophical fit in Detroit as his Arizona offenses featured heavy personnel groupings and a powerful run game that set up an under-center play action pass game that fits quarterback Jared Goff’s strengths.
Draft picks: Round 1-17, Round 2-50, Round 4-118, Round 5-155, Round 5-180, Round 6-187, Round 6-204, Round 7-222
Key free agents: LB Alex Anzalone, EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad, DL Roy Lopez, DT DJ Reader, CB Amik Robertson
Current salary cap space (via overthecap.com): $-8.5 million
Twentyman: After back-to-back division titles the Lions finished last in the NFC North in 2025. Detroit has the core talent to bounce back and will have the benefit of playing a last-place schedule, but they'll need more consistent play from their offensive line and secondary if they're going to get back to the top of the division.
