NFC North QB with most to prove, top rookie and rising coach

ByNFL Nation

Monday, June 16, 2025

The NFC North became arguably the top division in the NFL last season by posting the best win percentage -- .662 -- by a division since 2002, when the format changed to four divisions in each conference.

But accolades stopped when the postseason began as all three NFC North playoff teams were eliminated in their first game.

That disappointment was followed by an active offseason with the Chicago Bears hiring Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to be their head coach. There were players added, lucrative contract extensions and a surprise retirement.

Bears reporter Courtney Cronin, Packers reporter Rob Demovsky, Vikings reporter Kevin Seifert and Lions reporter Eric Woodyard break down a division that is expected to remain strong. The NFC North is the only division in which all four teams have at least a 35% chance to make the playoffs, according to ESPN Analytics.

As far as who's the favorite, ESPN BET offers the following result: Lions win their third straight, followed by the Packers, Bears and Vikings.

Which QB has the most to prove?

It's difficult to assess how much of that was due to injury -- he missed two full games -- versus regression in 2024, but with the same offense, same playcaller and upgraded offensive weapons, Love doesn't get any more passes. The playoffs are the expectation in Green Bay.

It seems like the expectation is that the coaching change in Chicago will mean Williams flips the switch, but the reality is there's a grace period there with a new coach, so give that time.

But McCarthy should be at the top of this list because the Vikings have been -- and are expected to remain -- a playoff team despite turning to a quarterback who hasn't played an NFL snap yet.

Williams performed well below expectations in 2024, and the Bears were aggressive in giving him a better roster and coaching infrastructure. It's time to find out if he can be a transcendent player.

So the question remains: Can Goff help the team win a Super Bowl? He has yet to prove that despite all of his individual success.

Which front office won the offseason?

But the Bears' front office won the offseason when it landed the most sought-after coach this cycle in Johnson. The key to everything working in Chicago is rooted in a complete overhaul of philosophy and culture, which starts at the top.

The change was reflected by sparing no cost ($13 million per year) to land the coach it believes will finally make this team a contender. But Chicago has won the offseason before -- now it needs to carry that over.

But not only did the Bears land the hottest coaching candidate on the market, they did so while weakening a division rival by stripping the Lions of their hot-shot offensive coordinator.

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah elevated multiple areas of weakness by acquiring three new starters for the offensive line and two for the defensive line, along with a skilled No. 2 running back in Jordan Mason.

Although some of the new veterans have recent injury histories, there are few holes in the presumptive starting lineup.

Chicago also surrounded Williams with talent across the board, which should help them take a massive leap in 2025.

Which key assistant coach is most likely to be in the 2026 head coaching cycle?

Flores interviewed for three jobs last year -- Bears, Jets, Jaguars -- and has been a head coach before with Dolphins. Whether teams have the desire to hire Flores with his ongoing lawsuit against the NFL and the public fallout from his relationship with Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (especially teams that have young QBs or are looking to draft one) remains to be seen.

The Packers' oft-shaky run defense allowed the seventh-fewest rushing yards in the NFL, its highest ranking in 15 years, and also was top-10 in fewest points allowed, yards allowed and takeaways. He already interviewed for at least one NFL head coaching job when the Jets brought him in this past offseason.

McCown has long been on the league's radar, having interviewed for the Houston Texans' top job in 2022, and if McCarthy performs well in 2025, McCown might be able to skip the coordinator level altogether.

He has said his ultimate goal is to become an NFL head coach, and he has put in the work.

For the past two seasons, Montgomery's leadership has played a key role in turning the Lions' ground attack into one of the most prolific in league history, with running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery becoming the first duo to each rush for at least 10 touchdowns in consecutive seasons in 2023 and 2024. That's no small feat, and if he's able to continue that production with the wide receivers, he certainly could be in the next head coaching cycle as a name to watch.

Who will be the best rookie in the NFC North?

Fellow Chicago tight end Cole Kmet said the Bears want to be the best 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TEs) team in the NFL. Securing the top tight end in the draft is one way to ensure that goal becomes a reality, and the outlet Loveland will provide Williams in the passing game is critical for the quarterback making a leap in his second season.

The receiver picked No. 23 overall by the Packers should get plenty of playing time right away, especially considering receiver Christian Watson's knee injury will keep him out at the start of the season. As soon as Golden arrived for the Packers' offseason program, he seemed to immediately jell with Love.