The Minnesota Vikings wrested control of the NFC North away from the Green Bay Packers last season, and that was a significant step for a team that had grown used to looking up at their rivals in the standings for many years.
For as long as Vikings fans could remember, it was always about finding a way to stay close to the team from the Frozen Tundra. That may no longer be the case because the Packers are in disarray. It appears almost certain that Aaron Rodgers will be moving on to the New York Jets, and the only question is what Green Bay can commandeer from the Jets in a trade.
Outside of the Rodgers maneuvering, the Packers have lost wide receiver Allen Lazard to the aforementioned Jets, tight end Robert Tonyan to the Chicago Bears and they have brought in a long snapper. The first part of free agency has not gone well for the Packers.
There are no guarantees for the Vikings, as the Detroit Lions took a major step up last year and they have continued to build in the offseason. David Montgomery has left Chicago and will find a new home in the Detroit backfield. He is an honest and versatile performer who can take advantage of cracks in the offensive line and also get the job done as a receiver.
Montgomery, a four-year veteran, gained 801 yards a year ago on 201 carries, is thrilled about going to an offense with explosive characteristics. He saw the Lions win 8 of their last 10 games, and it seems quite clear that Detroit is a team on the way up after years of being in the doldrums.
The Lions also signed cornerback Cameron Sutton away from the Pittsburgh Steelers. They paid dearly for him, providing the cover man with a three-year, $33 million deal. He is enthused about the direction of the team.
"This organization is ready to turn a hump," Sutton said. "We're here to play. The idea is to be in a position to close things out at the end of games."
Knowing where they need help, the Lions also cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson away from the Eagles, giving him a one-year, $8 million deal.
The Lions are sure to challenge the Vikings in 2023, and the Chicago Bears appear to be a completely different team from the one that finished in last place in the NFC North with a 3-14 record.
Prior to the start of free agency, general manager Ryan Poles engineered a winning trade of the No. 1 pick to the Carolina Panthers. In addition to getting Carolina’s first- and second-round picks this year, they will have the Panthers’ first-round pick in 2024 and their second-round pick in 2025. They also acquired wideout D.J. Moore in the deal, and he is better than any receiver currently on the Bears roster.
Chicago had nearly $100 million to spend as free agency got underway, and they have added running back D’Onta Foreman from the Carolina Panthers, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds from the Buffalo Bills, linebacker T.J. Edwards from the Philadelphia Eagles, offensive lineman Nate Davis from the Tennessee Titans and Tonyan. They have also made several other minor signings, and it’s clear that Chicago is preparing for another major haul in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The Bears clearly believe in quarterback Justin Fields, who has wowed NFL observers with his explosive running skills and downfield passing ability. Fields has yet to demonstrate consistency, but the addition of Moore and the dependable Tonyan should help him take additional steps in that area.
The Vikings have made several moves, and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah deserves credit for maneuvering around the team’s salary cap issues to sign defensive end Marcus Davenport from the Saints, cornerback Byron Murphy from the Cardinals and defensive lineman Dean Lowry from the Packers.
These signings are in addition to bringing back running back Alexander Mattison, safety Harrison Smith, offensive lineman Oli Udoh, center Garrett Bradbury and placekicker Greg Joseph.
The additions on defense should give new defensive coordinator Brian Flores the talent to upgrade the 31st-ranked defense, and additional moves are expected in the NFL Draft next month.
The Vikings are wearing the crown, and they will have to withstand a major challenge from the Lions, with the Bears moving up quickly on the outside. The Packers are falling dramatically, and their years of dominance appear to be history.
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