NFC North Free Agency: Have Vikings, Packers, Bears, Lions Gotten Better or Worse?
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The NFC North should be a fascinating division in 2023, largely because all four teams can talk themselves into being right in the mix to win it.
The Vikings are the defending champs, but they're due for regression and lost some key pieces this offseason. The Packers haven't officially lost Aaron Rodgers yet, but it appears it's only a matter of time until he's traded the Jets, which changes things significantly. The Lions, who haven't won the division in 30 years, are going all-in and will likely enter the season as the betting favorites. The Bears have had a super busy offseason and should become a factor soon with all of their cap space and draft capital. It could even happen this season if Justin Fields takes a huge year three leap.
Free agency has been interesting for all four teams. One week in, Fan Nation's NFC North publishers thought it would be helpful to come together and provide updates on what the team we cover has done so far. Who are the key additions and losses, where's the biggest remaining hole, and most importantly, has the team gotten better or worse?
Let's dive in.
Minnesota Vikings
Written by Will Ragatz, publisher of Inside the Vikings
Signed: CB Byron Murphy, OLB Marcus Davenport, TE Josh Oliver, DT Dean Lowry
Lost: LB Eric Kendricks (Chargers), CB Patrick Peterson (Steelers), WR Adam Thielen (Panthers), DT Dalvin Tomlinson (Browns)
Best Signing/Re-Signing: I think the Davenport addition has a chance to be a very impactful one, but the answer here is Murphy. The 25-year-old ex-Cardinal was one of the top cornerbacks on the market this offseason, and the Vikings landed him at a reasonable price on a two-year deal. Murphy can play outside and inside and will bring an impressive combination of coverage ability, ball skills, and run support to Minnesota. He feels like a perfect free agent addition for Brian Flores' defense. Plus, Murphy's age (unlike Patrick Peterson) fits right in with the Vikings' long-term timeline.
Biggest Loss: With Kendricks, Peterson, and Thielen all on the wrong side of 30, the Vikings' biggest loss of the offseason is Tomlinson, who is still in the back end of his prime at 29. He's quietly been a very important player for Minnesota over the past two seasons, eating up blocks and gaps in run defense and showing some pass rush juice at times. Tomlinson, who the Vikings just couldn't quite afford, is a big addition for the Browns. The Vikings will be counting on Lowry and a couple others to step up at defensive tackle this year.
Biggest Hole: Wide receiver. Thielen has lost a step, but he was still a very capable WR2 whose 30 receiving touchdowns over the past three seasons trailed only four players in the league. Now that he's in Carolina, the Vikings' current options to complement Justin Jefferson are K.J. Osborn, Jalen Reagor, and 2022 sixth-rounder Jalen Nailor. Even if T.J. Hockenson is going to serve as the Vikings' No. 2 target in the passing game in 2023, they need to add another quality player on the outside — ideally one who can stretch the field.
Are Vikings Better or Worse?: A little bit better...for now. Murphy is a slight upgrade over Peterson in Flores' scheme, Davenport is a great buy-low pass rusher due to his athleticism and pressure rate, and Oliver is one of the best run-blocking tight ends in football. Adding Lowry to help replace Tomlinson made sense, too. There have been some notable losses, but they're mostly aging players. Second-year LB Brian Asamoah should be ready to step right in for Kendricks. Minnesota also retained some key pieces, including S Harrison Smith, C Garrett Bradbury, and RB Alexander Mattison. Still, there are some pending questions that will tell us a lot, most notably possible trades involving Za'Darius Smith and Dalvin Cook. If both are gone, my answer to this question might change.
Green Bay Packers
Written by Bill Huber, publisher of Packer Central
Signed: S Tarvarius Moore, LS Matt Orzech.
Lost: WR Allen Lazard (Jets), TE Robert Tonyan (Bears), DT Jarran Reed (Seahawks), DT Dean Lowry (Vikings).
Best Signing/Re-Signing: It’s a short list, making this easy. The most important player to retain was cornerback Keisean Nixon, who got his first opportunity as the kickoff returner in Week 6 and turned in an All-Pro season. After averaging an NFL-high 28.8 yards on kickoff returns along with 12.7 yards on punts, he was retained on a one-year deal. Who knows how the offense is going to function with Jordan Love, but at least he’ll get some good field position.
Biggest Loss: It’s the totality of losing defensive tackles Reed and Lowry. It’s not as if they were great or irreplaceable. Rather, it’s the giant crater left behind. Kenny Clark is back to lead the defensive line. He’ll be joined by Devonte Wyatt, last year’s first-round pick who flashed a bit late in the year, and T.J. Slaton, who’s been a valuable role player. Nobody else on the depth chart has ever played in a game.
Biggest Hole: A case could be made that it’s the defensive line, a unit where it truly is strength in numbers. But let’s switch gears and go with tight end. Along with losing Tonyan, venerable Marcedes Lewis is a free agent, too. All that’s left are Josiah Deguara, who is more of a fullback than a tight end, Tyler Davis, who was pretty good on special teams, and a couple practice-squad guys. Fortunately, a good draft class awaits.
Are Packers Better or Worse?: Worse – and probably considerably worse. Putting aside the quarterback drama, it’s clear they’re using 2023 as a financial reset. Even had they kept one of their defensive linemen, that would have been a draft need. Even had they kept Tonyan, they would have needed a tight end. Now, those are positions demanding a premium investment – joining the list of outside linebacker, receiver, safety and offensive tackle that could use an instant-impact draft pick.
Detroit Lions
Written by John Maakaron, publisher of All Lions
Signed: CB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, CB Cam Sutton, CB Emmanuel Moseley, RB David Montgomery, OL Graham Glasgow
Lost: S DeShon Elliott, RB Jamaal Williams, OL Evan Brown, LB Chris Board
Best Signing/Re-Signing: Cornerback Chauncey Gardner-Johnson will bring a veteran presence and proven experience to a struggling Lions defense. He’s versatile enough to play in the slot at nickel cornerback or at the safety position. Last season, the veteran defensive back was tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions. Signing a prove-it deal will give the 25-year-old added motivation to have a stellar campaign in 2023.
Biggest Loss: It hurt Detroit fans to see Jamaal Williams sign with the New Orleans Saints. He had a career year in 2022 and broke the franchise record for touchdowns in a single season. As a leader in the locker room, he will be deeply missed. Signing David Montgomery is by no means a bad contingency plan, but the impact that Williams had in the locker room will be tough to replace.
Biggest Hole: The Lions have been aggressive in filling their needs through free agency. However, one area that remains unsatisfied is the backup quarterback spot behind Jared Goff. There are plenty of veterans still on the market, but the decision to not add one yet may be a hint to what Brad Holmes is planning for the Draft. Goff is set in stone as the starter, but who is backing him up remains a mystery. The remaining options, if one is chosen, do not give supporters a lot of confidence if something should happen to Goff.
Are Lions Better or Worse? The Lions got better during the first week of free agency. The signings of Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley make the secondary deeper, while Montgomery is statistically an upgrade over Williams. Adding guard Graham Glasgow to compete at right guard doesn’t hurt, either. The mix of outside signings and commitments to returning players have made Detroit deeper while raising the talent level of the organization heading into a pivotal 2023 season.
Chicago Bears
Written by Gene Chamberlain, publisher of BearDigest
Signed: LB Tremaine Edmunds, LB T.J. Edwards, DE/DT DeMarcus Walker, TE Robert Tonyan, DT Andrew Billings, RB D'Onta Foreman, RB Travis Homer, G Nate Davis, QB PJ Walker.
Lost: RB David Montgomery (Lions).
Best Signing/Re-Signing: The biggest wasn't a signing but the trade netting WR DJ Moore. That gives them a No. 1 option who had three straight years over 1,100 yards receiving while playing with bad QBs. Edmunds is the best signing, a linebacker with speed, height and coverage ability who can be deployed several ways. They were one of the league's worst short-pass coverage defenses last year and both Edmonds and Edwards were among the top linebackers in the league in QB rating against when targeted.
Biggest Loss: Montgomery. He was the heart and soul of their offense four years and especially before Justin Fields took over. He also didn't seem an ideal fit for their wide-zone blocking scheme and is a back probably best suited for inside or split zone. His lack of flat-out speed was a drawback on stretch plays in this offense. They'll definitely miss his pass blocking and receiving skills besides leadership and effort.
Biggest Hole: Ironically, it's exactly what it was when they started this — defensive line and offensive tackle. They only partially addressed defensive line issues. Their edge rush is only slightly better. They need a three technique at tackle still, although Walker can be both an end and three. They have no starting caliber right tackle on offense, although both Larry Borom and Alex Leatherwood have played there in the past. They can't let Fields get sacked 55 times again.
Are Bears Better or Worse?: Much better but not good enough. Moore is a versatile threat at 6-foot, 210 and can be a run-after-the-catch guy. They have been last in the league two straight years at YAC. They needed linebackers so that definitely helped. Missed tackles and simply not getting into position to make them was a problem for the 31st-ranked run defense last year. The addition of Billings, Edmunds and Edwards goes a long way toward stopping this as they were using undrafted linebackers last year after trading Roquan Smith. But they need a few more defensive linemen and in particular need pass rushers as they were last in sacks and do not use a scheme emphasizing the blitz.
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