Now that the first and biggest wave of NFL free agency is over, let’s take a look at how the Minnesota Vikings’ division opponents fared and what impact that may have on the division race this season.
Chicago Bears
The NFC North division champions of a year ago got there in large part due to turnovers. Their offense had the fewest in the league and their defense had the most. But despite leading the league in interceptions, the Bears decided on a near complete overhaul of their defensive secondary. Overall, the Bears have
been fairly active turning over their roster, but not necessarily for the better.
Those listed in bold were starters.
Outgoing Players
- C Drew Dalman – retired
- WR D.J. Moore – traded to Bills
- LB Tremaine Edwards – released, signed by the Giants
- S Kevin Byard – free agent, signed by Patriots
- S Jaquan Brisker – free agent, signed by Steelers
- S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson – free agent, signed by Bills
- CB Nahshon Wright– free agent, signed by Jets
- TE Durham Smythe- free agent, signed by Ravens
- ED Dominique Robinson, free agent, signed by Texans
- WR Devin Duverney, free agent, signed by Cardinals
- DL Chris Williams, free agent, signed by Falcons
- S Jonathan Owens, free agent, signed by Colts
- DL Andrew Billings, free agent, signed by Cardinals
- WR Olamide Zaccheaus, free agent, signed by Falcons
Of the Bears’ outgoing players, Drew Dalman, Nahshon Wright, and Kevin Byard made the Pro Bowl last year, and Byard was also named First-Team All-Pro.
Remaining Unsigned Free Agents
- ED Joe Tryon
- C Ryan Bates
- LB Amen Ogbongbemiga
- RB Travis Homer
- CB Nick McCloud
- LS Scott Daly
- LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Incoming Players
- C Garrett Bradbury, acquired via trade from Patriots
- S Coby Bryant, free agent formerly with the Seahawks
- DL Neville Gallimore, free agent formerly with the Colts
- S Cam Lewis, free agent formerly with the Bills
- QB Case Keenum, free agent extension
- T Braxton Jones, free agent extension
- WR Kalif Raymond, free agent formerly with the Lions
- S Elijah Hicks, free agent extension
- DL Kentavious Street, free agent formerly with the Falcons
- G Jordan McFadden, free agent extension
- CB Jaylon Jones, free agent extension
- LB Devin Bush, free agent formerly with Browns
- LT Jedrick Wills, free agent formerly with Browns (didn’t play in 2025)
- LB D’Marco Jackson, free agent extension
- DE Daniel Hardy, free agent extension
Projected starters in bold.
The Bears swapped Bradbury for the retiring Dalman as their starting center, which is a downgrade. Bradbury was the 25th ranked center by overall PFF grade last season while Dalman was 7th and made the Pro Bowl. Dalman’s retirement came as a surprise at age 27 and just one year after signing a big contract with the Bears. The Bears have Ozzy Trapilo penciled in as their starting left tackle, who was decent last season, but by extending Braxton Jones and taking a flyer on Jedrick Wills, they look to maintain competition.
Defensively, Devin Bush was acquired to replace Tremaine Edwards, who didn’t perform up to his contract. Edwards was a big signing by the Bears in 2023, but he didn’t have the impact he had his last season with the Bills. The Bears hope that Bush isn’t a repeat, as he had a big season last year with the Browns after several mediocre seasons with the Steelers and Seahawks. Gallimore is a mid-tier replacement for Billings, who struggled last season for the Bears. Coby Bryant is a solid and younger replacement for the departed Kevin Byard. Elijah Hicks looks to take over for the departed Jaquon Brisker and has been solid.
Lastly, the Bears felt comfortable trading D.J. Moore, who will be replaced by last year’s second-round pick Luther Burden III, who had a good rookie season.
Overall, the Bears looked to upgrade their defense and get younger, but it may end up being closer to lateral moves by-and-large compared to last season, but avoiding a potential downslide, while the moves at center represent a downgrade. The Bears haven’t been able to address their biggest need so far in free agency which is adding good pass rushers. They could also use a replacement for Grady Jarrett (33) on their defensive interior, as he’s been in decline the last couple of seasons.
Bottom line, the Bears don’t appear to have done much overall to move the needle but may have avoided some declining performance from aging players they let go on defense.
The Bears have their first, second, and third round picks in the upcoming draft, plus an additional second-round pick they got from the Bills for D.J. Moore which could allow them to add some impact players in the draft. My guess is that adding to their defensive line and edge rusher room will be a priority. The Bears don’t have any cap space left at the moment for new acquisitions, so I don’t expect any major additions the rest of free agency.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers have moved on from a number of players this offseason while only signing a few outside free agents so far. For the most part, the Packers are looking to existing players to step-up and fill the void left by departing players.
Outgoing Players
- QB Malik Willis, free agent signed with the Dolphins
- ED Rashan Gary, traded to the Cowboys
- DT Colby Wooden, traded to the Colts
- WR Romeo Doubs, free agent, signed with the Patriots
- LB Quay Walker, free agent, signed with the Raiders
- C Elgton Jenkins, released, signed with the Browns
- ED Kingsley Enagbare, free agent, signed with the Jets
- CB Nate Hobbs, released, signed with 49ers
- LT Rasheed Walker, free agent, signed with the Panthers
- RB Emanuel Wilson, free agent, signed with the Seahawks
Remaining Unsigned Free Agents
- CB Trevon Diggs
- TE John Fitzpatrick
- ED Arron Mosby
- G Donovan Jennings
Incoming Players
- DT Javon Hargrave, formerly with the Vikings
- CB Benjamin St. Juste, formerly with the Chargers
- LB Zaire Franklin, acquired via trade with the Colts
- RT Darian Kinnard, free agent extension
- TE Josh Whyle, free agent extension
- ED Brenton Cox Jr., free agent extension
- LB Kristian Welch, free agent extension
Among the departed starters, Rashan Gary looks to be replaced by Lucas Van Ness, the Packers first-round pick in 2023, who’s been solid in rotation. Javon Hargrave looks to replace Colby Wooden, and Zaire Franklin should replace Quay Walker. Hargrave would be an upgrade over Wooden if he’s able to stay healthy, but the other two are essentially lateral moves. Nate Hobbs was supposed to be a starter last season for the Packers after signing a four-year, $48 million contract, but was oft-injured and then released after one season. St. Juste should replace him but unclear if he’ll be a starter.
On the offensive line, the Packers extended Sean Rhyan, despite mediocre performance, and he looks to be their starting center. He replaced Jenkins the last half of last season there. Rasheed Walker could be replaced by Jordan Morgan, a first-round pick in 2024 who had starts at all offensive line positions except center last year but was a tackle in college. The only good offensive lineman for the Packers last season who is returning is right tackle Zach Tom, so the Packers are likely to have issues up front as they’ve invested some top round draft picks in Belton and Morgan that haven’t panned out to this point. They also gave Aaron Banks a big free agent contract and he was a big disappointment last season.
At wide receiver, the Packers were comfortable letting Romeo Doubs go, who will be replaced by 2025 first-round pick Matthew Golden to go along with Christian Watson and Jayden Reed. Golden had a promising rookie year.
Overall, these look to be largely lateral moves, although the loss of Walker and Jenkins as starters on the offensive line create more questions about the performance of that group this season. This is one of the weakest offensive lines I’ve seen the Packers field that I can remember. They really need improved performance from four of their projected five starters or it could be a real weak point this season.
The Packers have around $23 million in cap space at the moment, but I wouldn’t expect any big move from them in free agency- they are trying to protect the compensatory picks they’ll get for some of their departing free agents. The Packers have all their normal allotment of draft picks this year except their first-round pick, which they traded to Dallas (along with their 2027 first-round pick) for Micah Parsons last year. They have one other late 7th round pick as well. Tougher for the Packers to add impact players without a first-round pick, but not impossible.
Detroit Lions
The Lions moved on from several older starters this offseason, which also helped from a salary cap perspective. A couple they were able to upgrade, but a few others probably not.
Outgoing Players
- RB David Montgomery traded to Texans
- LB Alex Anzalone, free agent, signed with Buccaneers
- CB Amik Robertson, free agent, signed with Commanders
- DL Roy Lopez, free agent, signed with Cardinals
- ED Al-Quadin Muhammad, free agent, signed with Buccaneers
- WR Kalif Raymond, free agent, signed with Bears
- LB Grant Stuard, free agent, signed with Rams
- QB Kyle Allen, free agent, signed with Bills
- ED Tyrus Wheat, free agent, signed with Cowboys
Remaining Unsigned Free Agents
- LT Taylor Decker (released)
- DT D.J. Reader
- G/C Graham Glascow (released)
- ED Marcus Davenport
- ED Josh Pascal
- S Daniel Thomas
- CB Avonte Maddox
- G Kayode Awosika
- LB Ezekiel Turner
- LB Zach Cunningham
- CB Jalen Mills
- CB Arthur Maulet
- G Trystan Colon-Castillo
- TE Anthony Firkser
- TE Shane Zylstra
- RT Jamarco Jones
- CB Dicaprio Bootle
Incoming Players
- G Juice Scruggs, acquired via trade with Texans
- C Cade Mays, formerly with the Panthers
- RT Larry Borom, formerly with the Dolphins
- CB Rock Ya-Sin, free agent extension
- LB Malcolm Rodriquez, free agent extension
- S Christian Izian, formerly with the Bucanneers
- RB Isiah Pacheco, formerly with the Chiefs
- CB Roger McCreary, formerly with the Rams
- LB Trevor Nowaske, free agent extension
- TE Tyler Conklin, formerly with the Chargers
- WR Tom Kennedy, free agent extension
- QB Teddy Bridgewater, formerly with the Bucanneers
- ED D.J. Wonnum, formerly with the Panthers
The Lions traded their ‘thunder’ running back in David Montgomery to the Texans for a surprising haul considering Montgomery turns 29 this year. He was increasingly sidelined last season in favor of Jahmyr Gibbs as the better and more versatile back. Replacing him with Isiah Pacheco is something of a downgrade, but it might not matter as much if Gibbs takes an even bigger share of the rotation, which wouldn’t be surprising.
Along the offensive line, the Lions let go Taylor Decker and Graham Glascow, both of whom are well into their 30s and the downside of their careers. The Lions look to have potentially upgraded the center spot with the addition of Cade Mays, a big center at 6’6”, 325 lbs., who has around average PFF grades. Replacing left tackle Taylor Decker may end up being more complicated. The rumor is that All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell will move to left tackle and at least for now, Larry Borom will start at right tackle. That looks like a downgrade if you compare Decker to Borom.
But the Lions have a lot of big contracts now and can’t afford another big salary. Next year they’ll have over $200 million of their salary cap in just nine players. Overall they currently have $278 million of their 2027 salary cap spent on just 26 players. And Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch are set to be free agents. That’s why every new contract the Lions signed this offseason except Cade Mays’ was a one-year deal. They’ve got some major salary cap issues coming soon.
The Lions were able to upgrade their slot cornerback spot by adding Roger McCreary, but D.J. Wonnum, while he’s made a nice career for himself as a journeyman edge rusher, is a downgrade from Muhammad last season. Alex Anzalone is being replaced by Malcolm Rodriquez in what amounts to a significant downgrade. The Lions look to be replacing D.J. Reader with 2025 first-round pick Tyleik Williams, who had a decent yet unremarkable rookie year.
The Lions have about $27 million in salary cap space left, but I expect them to continue to be pretty thrifty in free agency as they can’t really afford to do otherwise. The Lions have their original first- and second-round draft picks, but no third-rounder. They also have two fourth, fifth, and sixth round picks and one seventh. My guess is that they’ll be looking for a tackle with their first-round pick, and an edge rusher or defensive back with their second-round pick.
Bottom Line
Every NFC North team has been on a budget so far in free agency. I believe every team has actually shed more salary cap than they’ve spent, Vikings included. The Bears appear to have done the best job in getting good players for less money, followed by the Packers and the Lions.
The Vikings, by comparison, spent the least on outside free agents. They suffer a downgrade to their defensive interior, and maybe center but I expect that will more likely be a lateral move especially considering Ryan Kelly missed a lot of the season last year. But the Vikings also have easily the most impactful free agent signing in Kyler Murray, a significant upgrade at the most important position in professional sports and the worst performing position for the Vikings last season.
