The Detroit Lions finally won the NFC North for the first time in franchise history. They got it done with one of the best rosters in the NFL, but they do have a few weaknesses on the defensive side.
The Green Bay Packers finished second to the Lions in the division and could emerge as a legitimate threat next season with an up-and-coming roster. But the Packers might need to make a few addition-by-subtraction moves this offseason.
As for the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears, they have uncertainty at quarterback and could find new signal-callers through the draft in April.
Here’s one move every NFC North team should make this offseason.
Chicago Bears
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One move they should make: Trade Justin Fields
The Bears are probably torn on whether to select a quarterback with their No. 1 pick because Fields has flashed high upside and he’s beloved by teammates and the fan base. But eventually the Bears are going to realize that it shouldn’t take three-plus seasons for a star quarterback to find consistency as a passer. Fields had a standout third season last year, but he again struggled with accuracy and missed four games due to injury. Also, Fields had a flat performance in the critical Week 18 loss against the Packers. The Bears can’t afford to pass on another elite quarterback prospect—they could have drafted C.J. Stroud last year with the No. 1 pick but traded it to the Carolina Panthers, who ended up taking Bryce Young. USC’s Caleb Williams or North Carolina’s Drake Maye could be the next instant star quarterback in the NFL. The Bears would be wise to trade Fields for a valuable draft pick to clear the path for drafting a quarterback at No. 1.
Detroit Lions
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One move they should make: Sign Jaylon Johnson or L’Jarius Sneed
The Lions have one of the best rosters in the NFL, but their secondary was again an issue during the 2023 season. The team didn’t get much positive results from splurging on defensive backs Cameron Sutton, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Emmanuel Moseley last free agency. Detroit’s defense needs a true lockdown outside cornerback and perhaps that player could be available next month. Chicago’s Jaylon Johnson and Kansas City’s L’Jarius Sneed are viewed as the best cornerbacks in this year’s free agency—if their respective teams allow them to hit the open market. Johnson, who emerged as one of the best cornerbacks in the league during a breakout ’23 season, was rated the No. 1 cornerback by Pro Football Focus with a 90.8 defense grade. Sneed had a dominant postseason run to help the Chiefs win back-to-back Super Bowls.
Green Bay Packers
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One move they should make: Trade Jaire Alexander
Alexander is coming off a down season in which he only played seven games due to injury. His antics, like crashing a coin toss, have grown tiring in Green Bay, especially with him no longer being a premier cornerback. All signs point to the Packers shopping Alexander, with them being $2.8 million over the salary cap. Alexander has a $23.9 million cap hit number in 2024. Perhaps the Packers can trade him for a Day 3 draft pick to get rid of his hefty contract, which doesn’t expire until 2027. Green Bay could, however, net a higher draft pick because Alexander is still a quality player when healthy and talented cornerbacks are tough to find. Trading Alexander would leave the Packers thin in the secondary, but they made it work last season while Alexander was sidelined. Green Bay went 9–8 with a young roster and defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the wild-card round before ending its season with the playoff loss against the San Francisco 49ers.
Minnesota Vikings
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One move they should make: Draft a QB in the first round
The Vikings could opt to re-sign Kirk Cousins, but it would likely be for a one- or two-year deal. They need a quarterback for the long term and they could find it with the No. 11 pick in April’s draft. The Vikings could have the option of drafting Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., Oregon’s Bo Nix or Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, who might have the most upside among the three quarterback prospects. A rookie quarterback could learn under Cousins for a year or two before taking over as a starter, something that needs to occur more often after the success the Packers have had by making Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love wait their turns before becoming starting quarterbacks. But it wouldn’t be surprising if the Vikings decline to re-sign Cousins, who heads into his age-36 season after tearing his Achilles tendon in October.
Related: NFC East Forecast 2024: One Move Every Team Should Make This Offseason
