NFC North: No Rodgers in Green Bay. No D in Minnesota. Bears rebuilding. So, Lions time?

NFC NORTH

CHICAGO BEARS

Coach: Matt Eberflus (second season with Chicago).

Last season: 3-14 (fourth in the division, worst in the NFL).

Key additions: OT Darnell Wright, WR D.J. Moore, DT Andrew Billings, DE DeMarcus Walker, LB Tremaine Edmunds, LB T.J. Edwards, G Nate Davis, CB Tyrique Stevenson.

Key subtractions: RB David Montgomery, DT Armon Watts, LB Nicholas Morrow, DE Al-Quadin Muhammad, C Sam Mustipher, OT Riley Reiff.

Looking ahead: As well as QB Justin Fields runs, the Bears want to see him take more short-passing options and fewer hits. Raising line and receiver quality should help Fields’ comfort in the pocket, as well as red zone efficiency and ability to get the ball down the field. Four free agent starters among the defensive front seven should help a defense that stopped the run (31st in the league) and rushed the passer (32nd) with equal incompetence. They’re still getting permits on this rebuild. Check back next year.

DETROIT LIONS

Coach: Dan Campbell (third season in Detroit, 12-21-1 in the regular season).

Last season: 9-8 (second in the division).

Key additions: S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, WR Marvin Jones, Jr., RB David Montogomery, CB Emmanuel Moseley, CB Cameron Sutton, long snapper Jake McQuaide, LB Jack Campbell, RB Jahmyr Gibbs, TE Sam LaPorta, WR Antoine Green.

Key subtractions: RB Jamaal Williams, RB D’Andre Swift, WR DJ Chark, S DeShon Elliott, CB Jeff Okudah, C Evan Brown.

Looking ahead: In the Lions’ only loss in the last six games, the league-worst defense gave up 570 total yards and 320 rushing yards to going-nowhere Carolina on Christmas Eve. That loss kept the Lions home during the playoffs. More time to plan for defense-shopping in free agency and picking high in the draft. That’s also where they found David Montgomery and first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs after jettisoning 2022’s top two 2022 runners. Amon-Ra St. Brown helped keep the Jared Goff revival (4,438 yards, 29/7 TD/INT ratio) going with 106 catches.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Coach: Matt LaFleur (fifth season with Green Bay, 47-19 in the regular season, 2-3 in the postseason).

Last season: 8-9 (third in the division)..

Key additions: S Tarvarius Moore, DE Colby Wooden, TE Luke Musgrave, WR Jayden Reed, long snapper Matthew Orzech, K Anders Carlson.

Key subtractions: QB Aaron Rodgers, S Adrian Amos, WR Allen Lazard, DE Dean Lowry, TE Marcedes Lewis, P Pat O’Donnell.

Looking ahead: For the first time since 1992, when people were buying “End of the Road” on cassette single, the Packers will start the season without Aaron Rodgers or Brett Favre at quarterback. Total starts by the next in line, Jordan Love? One. Top receiver Allen Lazard departed, too. While young receivers develop and good runners in AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones, bet on Green Bay being a running-and-defense team. That puts The Pack at the back if their first-round-pick-thick defense remains mid-pack.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Coach: Kevin O’Connell (second season, 13-4 in regular season, 0-1 in the playoffs).

Last season: 13-5 (first in the division), lost in the NFC Wild Card Round to the New York Giants.

Key additions: CB Byron Murphy Jr., DE Dean Lowry, WR Jordan Addison, CB Mekhi Blackmon, defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

Key subtractions: RB Dalvin Cook,.WR Adam Thielen, CB Patrick Peterson, CB Chandon Sullivan, CB Cameron Dantzler, LB Eric Kendricks.

Looking ahead: The Vikes, who turned big leads into exasperating losses in 2021, won all 11 one-score games in 2022. They shouldn’t have that clutch luck again, nor will they have Cook tearing through defenses and Thielen moving chains.. But, they still have the consensus best WR in the game, Justin Jefferson. Imagine Jefferson’s numbers if he could face the Vikings secondary, the sagging backside of the NFC’s worst pass defense with a still-all-right Patrick Peterson. A new group of corners with Flores’ new defense faces Philly, the Chargers and Kansas City in the first five games.