The conclusion of the NFL’s offseason programs around the league is here, which means that for the first time this calendar year, a six-week “dead period” is upon us before the start of training camp. While some choose to take a step back from football talk, others use this time as a chance at a retrospective of the offseason that has been. That’s exactly what we plan to do here, as we take a deeper dive into each NFC North team’s most (and least) improved position as we inch closer to training camp next
month.
Chicago Bears
By all accounts, 2025 was the dream season that the Bears and their fans have been longing for since the departure of Lovie Smith in 2011. While there have been a few playoff appearances since that time, it took 15 seasons to break their playoff win drought. While nobody expected the Bears to come into last season, win the division, and come a play (or two away) from an NFC Championship Game appearance, the hunter will now become the hunted in 2026.
While the arrow should still be pointing up for a young group that “arrived a year early”, it’s fair to wonder if the Bears did enough this offseason to warrant higher expectations heading into this season.
Most Improved Position: Safety
Some might look at this and wonder how a position that just lost an All-Pro could be considered an upgrade, but hear me out. Yes, Kevin Byard was awesome last year, but that was the first time since 2022 that he’s recorded four or more interceptions. While interceptions aren’t everything, the soon-to-be 33-year-old is on the back end of his career, and the free agent market reflected that with a one-year, $7 million deal (with incentives up to $9 million). Heading into March, none of the Bears’ four rostered safeties from 2025 were under contract. They spent big resources on Coby Bryant (three years, $40 million) and the No. 25 overall pick on Dillon Thieneman. In addition, they re-signed Elijah Hicks to a one-year deal and grabbed Cam Lewis from the Bills as another reliable depth piece who can also play the nickel. Replacing both starting spots and the No. 3 safety on the depth chart is a tall task, but at least on paper, Chicago did an admirable job of upgrading that room, both in the short and long-term.
Most Significant Remaining Need: Edge Rusher
At this point, it seems obvious, no? For what feels like the fifth straight season, edge rusher is the Bears’ biggest remaining need as we inch closer to the start of the regular season. Last offseason, they spent mid-tier money on Dayo Odeyingbo, and he rewarded them with one sack and overall poor production before going down in Week 9 with a torn Achilles. While the injury was clearly not his fault, nothing about his production in eight games last year should give the organization confidence that he’s a long-term answer moving forward. Montez Sweat and Austin Booker will likely take the two starting spots. However, this group still needs proven depth, and with the free-agent market all but dried up, it’s hard to envision many scenarios in which this isn’t a significant question heading into the regular season.
Detroit Lions
Following back-to-back NFC North titles, the Lions took a step back in 2025, finishing last despite a 9-8 record. On paper, Detroit still has one of the more talented rosters in the league, but health is a big key to that remaining the case. Similar to the last few seasons, the NFC North is up for grabs, and most pundits around the league expect the Lions to regain their form and vault back to the top of the division. They are now a year removed from losing a key chunk of their coaching staff, and with a better understanding of their weaknesses, it’s fair to assume they’ll be better off in 2026.
The primary question surrounding this team isn’t about improvement over last season, but rather the health of key players and improvements in the trenches. A clear focus was put into the trenches on both sides of the ball this offseason, and now we’ll have to see how that plays out in their quest to get back to the playoffs after a disappointing 2025 campaign.
Most Improved Position: Offensive Line
Head coach Dan Campbell and former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson quickly built the offense into quite the juggernaut during their time together. With Johnson now in Chicago and a surprise retirement from All-Pro center Frank Ragnow last year, the offensive line took multiple hits, and it showed in 2025. With Taylor Decker’s release, Detroit opted to move Penei Sewell to left tackle, while drafting Clemson’s Blake Miller to be their long-term solution at right tackle. In addition, the free agent signing of center Cade Mays should help provide more upside and stability to the interior of the offensive line. While this group still has questions at guard, it’s easy to see the plan.
Most Significant Remaining Need: Cornerback
When looking at the Lions’ projected depth chart, there aren’t too many positions where you can find concerns. That said, cornerback is an area of concern due to health issues and the overall production of some of their younger players. Realistically, this group doesn’t need a big free agent addition or trade acquisition. Instead, they need one of Terrion Arnold or Ennis Rakestraw Jr. to live up to their draft position. Veteran D.J. Reed is a good player, and Roger McCreary was a quality free agent signing in the nickel, but that secondary boundary spot is up for grabs. Improvement from within will be key to the defense’s success in 2026.
Green Bay Packers
Over the first half of last season, the Packers looked like one of the best teams in the league. The Micah Parsons trade looked like a slam dunk, and the youngest roster in the NFL seemed to be growing together. Injuries mounted and Green Bay’s hot start faded, but once Parsons was lost for the year with a torn ACL, the Packers failed to win another game, including yet another first-round playoff exit.
On paper, this is still a good roster. Still, with questions about Parsons’ return timeline and a new defensive coordinator, it’s fair to wonder how much more of the load the offense will have the shoulder, especially in the early part of the season. More than anything, we’ll get to learn who this current iteration of the Packers truly are- the hot start or the winless stretch in December and January.
Most Improved Position: Cornerback
The Packers are a hard team to “figure out”, primarily because they didn’t do much in free agency and didn’t have a first-round pick in April. While it’s easy to argue that their roster is “good”, teams who don’t do much during the offseason leave plenty to the imagination. That said, their two big “adds” came at the same position, which is why cornerback gets the nod here. Heading into last year, it was easy to argue that this group was a Bottom 3 unit. Although it panned out better than expected, they needed help and should get that in the form of second-round pick Brandon Cisse and veteran Benjamin St. Juste. This unit still has plenty to prove, but at the very least, they’ve added quality depth with some starting upside.
Most Significant Remaining Need: Edge Rusher
This came down between the offensive line and edge rusher. Ultimately, additional pass rushing help feels like the bigger focus, even if it’s a short-term outlook. By all accounts, Green Bay is preparing to spend half the regular season without Parsons, and after trading Rashaan Gary, the quantity of proven pass rushers is scarce. Former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness will need to take a big step forward, and there will be additional focus on Dani Dennis-Sutton to produce as a rookie. While there have been rumors surrounding a potential Josh Sweat trade, local and national media have been quick to shoot that down, at least as of now.
Minnesota Vikings
2025 was supposed to be the start of a new quarterback era in Minnesota. After career performances from veterans like Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold, it was easy to feel comfortable with head coach Kevin O’Connell’s developmental plan for former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. Despite missing his entire rookie season with a knee injury, Vikings fans had real hope that O’Connell’s golden touch would make McCarthy a good quarterback. While that might still be the case, it’s clear that the organization saw last year’s results and decided not to wait around on McCarthy’s development.
The “battle” between newcomer Kyler Murray and McCarthy bears watching, but barring a surprise, it’s Murray’s job to lose. With general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah out the door, it’s fair to say that O’Connell is the most influential man in the building. Now the Vikings must figure out whether quarterback was their biggest issue in 2025.
Most Improved Position: Quarterback
It’s been a long time since the Vikings were able to develop a homegrown talent at the quarterback position. Barring a historic turnaround from McCarthy, it appears they are going back to the well with a veteran quarterback in need of a change of scenery. It has worked out well for them in recent years, and if Murray can salvage his career, it will be yet another feather in the cap of O’Connell. Although the coaching staff continues to tout a true “competition”, it would be quite the upset if Murray isn’t under center in Week 1 as the starting quarterback. That said, his presence alone is the biggest upgrade they could have made this offseason.
Most Significant Remaining Need: Interior Offensive Line
Just one offseason ago, the Vikings went out looking to overhaul the interior of their offensive line. While it looked good on paper, things did not pan out the way they had hoped. Despite signing a big contract, Will Fries regressed toward his career averages (before his career year in 2024). Ryan Kelly suffered an alarming number of concussions and ultimately retired this offseason. Last year’s first-round pick, Donovan Jackson, had moments of good play, but like most rookies, he struggled with consistency. With Kelly out of the picture and no big swing taken, center becomes the most concerning spot in this group. That said, without a big step forward from both Jackson and Fries this season, this might be a Bottom 5-10 group, yet again.
