Add The New York Post on Google The Post’s Jared Schwartz previews the NFC North.
Key additions: Garrett Bradbury, a steady veteran, will be the new starting center, having signed a one-year deal to replace Drew Dalman. Dillon Thieneman, a first-round pick (No. 25), has big shoes to fill to replace Kevin Byard, the team’s star safety the past two years. Inside linebacker Devin Bush is on his fourth team, having signed a three-year, $30 million deal to provide a proven presence in the middle of the defense.
Key departures: S Kevin Byard, WR DJ Moore, S Jaquan Brisker, DT Gervon Dexter Sr.
First-and-goal: Caleb Williams provided plenty of evidence last year that he can be the franchise quarterback. Head coach Ben Johnson brought the best out of him, and that pairing has the potential to establish the Bears as true contenders. Most of the offense around Williams is back, and they’ve replaced their departures on defense with new talent.
Fourth-and-long: The secondary lost a lot of stability, and that was before free agent signing CB Coby Bryant got injured for the long term. With a young quarterback, there is always the potential that with more film, the rest of the league can slow him down. And the NFC North remains a brutal division.
12-5. Williams is legitimate, paired with an elite head coach. They’re just getting started.
Key additions: Cade Mays was to be a plug-and-play starter at center, though he will miss much of the beginning of the season after fracturing his wrist. The 17th overall pick, Blake Miller, will step right in as the new starting right tackle. After the offense struggled last year without Ben Johnson, new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing looks to bring it back to its old form after serving in the same role with the Cardinals.
Key departures: RB David Montgomery, WR DJ Montgomery, LB Alex Anzalone, OL Taylor Decker
First-and-goal: They’ve gone all in on RB Jahmyr Gibbs as the focal point of the offense, having given him a three-year, $67.5 million extension and traded Montgomery to the Texans. And for good reason — he is as electric of a weapon as there is in the league. The floor remains high for an offense with plenty of talent — namely WRs Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams and TE Sam LaPorta — and a strong offensive line.
Fourth-and-long: There is a sense that the team’s window is closing. They’ve had a lot of success with QB Jared Goff, but is he a quarterback you can win a Super Bowl with? Or have they hit their ceiling with him and gone as far as they can go? There are question marks in the secondary.
11-6. After taking a step back last year, they return to the mix as a contender.
Key additions: After losing defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who took over the Dolphins coaching job, there is pressure on new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon to keep this unit firing. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave signed a two-year, $23 million deal to be a needed reinforcement for a thin unit. The Packers traded a starting cornerback in Colby Wooden to acquire Zaire Franklin as a replacement for Quay Walker at linebacker next to rising star Edgerrin Cooper.
Key departures: LB Quay Walker, OLB Rashan Gary, CB Colby Wooden, WR Dontayvion Wicks, OL Elgton Jenkins, QB Malik Willis
First-and-goal: As the NFL’s youngest team the past three years (the Dolphins overtook them this year), this group must transition from up-and-comers to bona fide contenders. They believe in their quarterback, their weapons, their defense and their head coach. If that’s the case, there should be no more excuses for an early playoff exit.
Fourth-and-long: Jordan Love has yet to prove he belongs in that elite echelon of quarterbacks that typically lead championship teams. Micah Parsons will miss at least the first four games. The floor remains high, but the NFC North might be the best division in the league. Plenty of fans have doubts about Matt LaFleur.
10-7. They seem to be a perennial lock for the playoffs, but it feels like the LaFleur/Love pairing has just about hit its ceiling.
Key additions: After his Cardinals tenure ended unceremoniously, former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray looks for a fresh start to reignite his career. Massive 6-foot-6 nose tackle Caleb Banks went higher in the draft than most expected, but now needs to anchor the defensive line. James Pierre signed a cheap deal to be a new starting cornerback.
Key departures: OLB Jonathan Greenard, S Harrison Smith, WR Jalen Nailor.
First-and-goal: Head coach Kevin O’Connell is the king of quarterback reclamation projects, and Murray has a chance to be the next. Perhaps a superstar receiver in Justin Jefferson, other dangerous pass-catchers in Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson and a solid offensive line can get him back to his best. It’s a solid roster outside of quarterback; poor play at the position doomed last year.
Fourth-and-long: Murray is a complete question mark, and it was telling how little interest there was in him on the open market. And if he gets hurt, backup J.J. McCarthy offers little reason to be confident behind him.
6-11. O’Connell has a habit of overperforming, but the magic will start to wear off.
