1. Chicago Bears

If QB Caleb Williams tones down taking too many unnecessary chances, maybe this current roster will find success towards a possible run at a Super Bowl.

2. Detroit Lions

This is still a team that has so many weapons on offense and a solid front seven on defense. With improvements on the offensive line that should shore things up there, but that secondary is a glaring weakness.

3. Green Bay Packers

The late game collapses last season were prominent, but they decided to give head coach Matt LaFleur another chance. Mainly because of the early successes he had when he was first hired in 2019 and had three consecutive seasons of 13 wins in Green Bay.

4. Minnesota Vikings

There is plenty to like about this team, but QB J.J. McCarthy had a rough go in his first full season as the starter. And I don’t think bringing in former Cardinals first round pick QB Kyler Murray will be any better.

Head Coach: Ben Johnson

Key Position: Defense

The main reason the defense was considered ‘good’ last season was their penchant for causing turnovers. They led the league in interceptions with 23 and were tops in turnover differential as well. The problem going forward is that the top three players on the roster that had the most interceptions are now gone. Will rookie first round pick Dillon Thieneman help in that regard? Possibly, but that’s only one player. Devin Bush is a solid linebacker, but he’s not known for causing a lot of turnovers in his career. Coby Bryant was a solid addition, but he will be starting season on injured reserve. Josh Sweat recorded 10 sacks last season, but is there anyone else that will match that? The offense will continue to trudge along, but this defense will likely be taking a step back.

Key Acquisitions: OL Garrett Bradbury (New England Patriots), LB Devin Bush (Cleveland Browns), DB Cam Lewis (Buffalo Bills), WR Kalif Raymond (Detroit Lions), DB Xavier Woods (Tennessee Titans), DB Coby Bryant (Seattle Seahawks)

Key Rookies: DB Dillon Thieneman, OL Logan Jones, TE Sam Roush, WR Zavion Thomas

Head Coach: Dan Campbell

Key Position: Offensive Line

Even with the problems that plagued this unit last season the offense still ranked 5th in total yards. Imagine if they had played up to their standards of previous seasons. QB Jared Goff didn’t have a terrible season passing for 4,564 yards, 34 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions. Yet, if he wasn’t under duress as much as he was it could have been even better. T Penei Sewell moves to the blindside spot at left tackle. The door is open for first round pick Blake Miller to take the right tackle spot. Cade Mays was brought in to take command and stabilize the unit. If the guards can stay healthy and consistent then this will be an improved part of what head coach Dan Campbell has built since he arrived.

Key Acquisitions: OL Larry Borom (Miami Dolphins), DB Chuck Clark (Pittsburgh Steelers), LB Devin White (Las Vegas Raiders), OL Juice Scruggs (Houston Texans), DE DJ Wonnum (Carolina Panthers), OL Cade Mays (Carolina Panthers), RB Isiah Pacheco (Kansas City Chiefs)

Key Rookies: T Blake Miller, DE Derrick Moore

Head Coach: Matt LaFleur

Key Position: Wide Receiver

One player was quickly becoming the primary target for QB Jordan Love and that was TE Tucker Kraft. Unfortunately when he went down to a knee injury midseason that seemed to stifle all the momentum that the Packers had built. Injuries and inconsistent play have plagued this group for many years now. WR Christian Watson is the most talented receiver and hasn’t been available for most of his career. WR Matthew Golden had a dud of a rookie season and that must change going forward. WR Jayden Reed can be a game changer, but he hasn’t been available either. If Kraft remains healthy this will be a different season for Love and the Packers offense.

Key Acquisitions: LB Zaire Franklin (Indianapolis Colts), DT Javon Hargrave (Minnesota Vikings), TE Jonnu Smith (Pittsburgh Steelers), CB Benjamin St-Juste (LA Chargers)

Key Rookies: CB Brandon Cisse, DT Chris McClellan

Head Coach: Kevin O’Connell

Key Position: Quarterback

Was J.J. McCarthy the worst first round quarterback based on his first season of play? It’s debatable, but one thing is certain is that a large majority of the Vikings brass regretted letting QB Sam Darnold go for nothing last offseason. That’s why Minnesota has a new executive of football operations and they have pivoted for the time to giving Kyler Murray a shot to resurrect his career. Murray has not lived up to his expectations as the former number one overall pick and the players he has available to throw to now exceed what he had in Arizona and that’s saying something. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are among the best receiver duos in the league. They now add WR Jauan Jennings who has been a solid receiver throughout his career so far. TE T.J. Hockensen when healthy is a reliable target over the middle and the Vikings boast a solid running back duo in Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. No more excuses for either Murray or McCarthy to take this team and run with it.

Key Acquisitions: WR Jauan Jennings (San Francisco 49ers), QB Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals), CB James Pierre (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Key Rookies: DL Caleb Banks, LB Jake Golday, DB Jakobe Thomas