The NFL’s Toughest Division? A Complete 2025 NFC North Breakdown

Welcome to the second preview. Today’s article breaks down arguably the toughest division in football: the NFC North.

Detroit Lions: Ring or Bust

Let’s start with the reigning NFC North champions, the Detroit Lions. Coming off a league-best 15–2 regular season and back-to-back division titles, Detroit collapsed at home in the divisional round against Washington. As expectations skyrocket for 2025, Dan Campbell will need to regroup quickly.

The team suffered major coaching losses, with Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn leaving for head coaching jobs in Chicago and New York. In response, Detroit promoted Kelvin Sheppard to DC and brought in John Morton as OC. Although the offensive line lost OG Kevin Zeitler in free agency and C Frank Ragnow to a sudden retirement, Morton’s experience with a play-action-heavy West Coast scheme should offer continuity for Jared Goff.

Goff led the league in accuracy last season (72.4% completion rate) and looks to build on his chemistry with a strong supporting cast. Breakout WR Jameson Williams (1,000+ yards in 2024) enters a contract year, while Kerby Joseph’s extension and Aidan Hutchinson’s leadership headline a hungry defense.

The Lions made seven picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, starting with DT Tyleik Williams (28th overall, Ohio State) to reinforce the trenches. They also added DE Ahmed Hassanein (Boise State), and aggressively moved up for OL help—drafting G Tate Ratledge (Georgia, Round 2) and G Miles Frazier (LSU, Round 5). At WR, they added Isaac TeSlaa (Arkansas, Round 3) and Dominic Lovett (Georgia, Round 7), along with S Dan Jackson, also from Georgia. The draft strategy emphasized immediate contributors and long-term fits for Campbell’s culture.

The Lions expect to compete deep into February. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery power the run game, while the Joseph-Branch safety duo anchors the defense. WR Amon Ra St. Brown and DE Aidan Hutchinson will be expected to be weekly game changers. Each team leader will be expected to perform as Detroit enters 2025 with a target on its back. Defending their 6–0 division record while adjusting to new coordinators and looming contract negotiations will define whether this is the year they finally bring the Lombardi to the Motor City.

Minnesota Vikings: JJ McCarthy’s Succession

To be honest, the 2024 Vikings are tough to gauge. They finished 14–3 behind an elite defense that became the first ever to force a turnover in each game while Kevin O’Connell created another QB revival. Yet, they also made history as the first 14-win team to lose in the Wild Card round. Now, with JJ McCarthy taking over at quarterback, Minnesota will lean on its defense and smart offensive play to script a new ending.

This offseason, the front office methodically reinforced key positions. To solidify Brian Flores’ defense, they signed DTs Jonathan Allen (3yr/$51M) and Javon Hargrave (2yr/$30M), along with CBs Jeff Okudah and Isaiah Rodgers. Key defenders like Andrew Van Ginkel and Joshua Metellus were also extended. Departures included QB Sam Darnold, RB Alexander Mattison, and DLs Jonathan Bullard and Patrick Jones II. RG Ed Ingram was traded to Houston for a pick later used to acquire RB Jordan Mason from San Francisco.

After trading away much of their 2025 draft capital to land McCarthy and DE Dallas Turner, this year's draft was pivotal. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah focused on depth and size. Minnesota selected OL Donovan Jackson (Ohio State) in Round 1, giving McCarthy a protector from day one. WR Tai Felton (Maryland), DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (Georgia), LB Kobe King (Penn State), and TE Gavin Bartholomew (Pitt) rounded out a small but purposeful class.

Anticipation is high heading into 2025. Early tests include matchups vs. the Eagles, Bengals, Ravens, and Cowboys—plus back-to-back international games (Week 5 in Dublin vs. the Steelers, Week 6 in London vs. the Browns). But ultimately, it’s division games that will shape the Vikings’ season. If the defense replicates last year’s dominance and McCarthy settles in quickly, Minnesota could move past last year’s heartbreak and into a new era.

Green Bay Packers: Frozen Expectations

Matt LaFleur and the Packers enter 2025 with one goal: test the ceiling of their emerging young core. With a reloaded roster through free agency and the draft, Green Bay looks ready to compete for its first division title since 2021—and possibly make another run at the NFC crown.

This offseason brought major changes. The team released longtime CB Jaire Alexander (saving $17M) and moved on from RB AJ Dillon, S Darnell Savage, OL Jon Runyan Jr., and K Anders Carlson. Building chemistry will be crucial, especially with many new faces in key spots.

Offensive line play was a major focus. Green Bay signed G Aaron Banks (4yr/$77M) and extended OT Zach Tom. In the draft, they added OT Anthony Belton (NC State, Round 2) and OL John Williams (Cincinnati, Round 7). Defensively, they drafted DL Barryn Sorrell (Texas), Collin Oliver (Oklahoma State), and Warren Brinson (Georgia) between Rounds 4–6.

Improving the WR corps was another priority after Jordan Love dealt with the league’s second-highest drop rate (7%+). The Packers drafted explosive WR Matthew Golden (Texas, Round 1) and physical WR Savion Williams (TCU, Round 3), then signed Mecole Hardman to bring veteran speed. With Christian Watson rehabbing a torn ACL, the WR competition will be one to watch.

Defensively, the Packers continued developing their 4–2–5 press man scheme. They signed All-Pro S Xavier McKinney (4yr/$67M) and CB Nate Hobbs (4yr/$48M), while drafting LB Edgerrin Cooper (Texas A&M) and S Javon Bullard (Georgia) in Round 2. DB Evan Williams (Oregon) and CB Kalen King (Penn State) were later picks. DC Jeff Hafley’s vision is clear: faster, versatile defenders with high IQ over aging stars.

This team has the pieces to win the league’s most competitive division. If their young players continue to develop, Green Bay could be hosting playoff games at Lambeau once more.

Chicago Bears: Is It Wrong to Hope?

After a historically rough 2024 that included the longest losing streak in franchise history, the Chicago Bears enter 2025 with a cautious sense of optimism. With Ben Johnson taking over as head coach and sweeping roster changes, the team is hoping that Caleb Williams can take the next step and unlock the offense’s full potential.

They’ll continue to lean on young talent like WR Rome Odunze and RB Roschon Johnson, while RB D’Andre Swift provides a stabilizing veteran presence. But the spotlight is on Williams. Chicago needs him to rediscover the confidence and off-script creativity that made him the top overall pick.

To protect their QB and raise the offense’s floor, the Bears were aggressive. They added C Drew Dalman (3yr/$42M), traded for G Jonah Jackson (Rams), and pulled off a blockbuster trade for G Joe Thuney (Chiefs). WR/RS Devin Duvernay (1yr), DT Grady Jarrett (3yr/$43.5M), and DE Dayo Odeyingbo (3yr/$48M) round out the veteran additions.

In the draft, the Bears prioritized skill positions and trenches. Their top pick was TE Colston Loveland (Michigan), who pairs with Cole Kmet to create a dual-threat TE combo. In Round 2, they drafted WR Luther Burden III (Missouri), OT Ozzy Trapilo (Boston College), and DT Shemar Turner (Texas A&M). Later picks included:

• Round 4: LB Ruben Hyppolite II (Maryland)

• Round 5: CB Zah Frazier (UTSA)

• Round 6: OL Luke Newman (Michigan State)

• Round 7: RB Kyle Monangai (Rutgers)

  
  

Chicago’s draft clearly focused on giving Johnson tools for his offense and solidifying the front seven on defense with a well-balanced class that addressed immediate needs. Heading into the preseason, the Bears are in a critical evaluation stage. Early reports from camp are promising: Williams is showing better command of the offense, with strong showings from Odunze, Loveland, and Burden. The revamped O-line remains a concern, but defensively, Shemar Turner has impressed, and the secondary looks deeper.

 If Johnson’s system clicks early, Chicago may finally turn the corner in what’s shaping up to be a brutally competitive NFC North.