The NFC North is a bloodbath and the Lions have the most underrated advantage
The NFC North is not good. It is terrifying.
All four teams finished with winning records last year. That has never happened before in this division. The Vikings were one win over the Bears away from stealing the division despite being two games back. The Packers are still the Packers. And the Lions, well, the Lions finished last at 9-8 and somehow still have one of the most complete rosters in the league.
This is not your dad’s NFC North. This is a gauntlet.
Minnesota’s defensive line is deeper than you think
Everyone knows the Vikings have edge rusher problems. Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel are fine, but after that it gets thin fast. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins moved to edge and does not fit what Brian Flores wants to do there.
But the defensive line? That is quietly loaded. Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange were two of their top three picks and nobody is talking about it. Elijah Williams has real potential. Levi Drake Rodriguez has intrigue. Jalen Redmond might be the best player on the entire defense.
How that group shakes out in camp is going to matter a lot more than people realize.
Chicago’s young receivers are about to get tested by Jaylon Johnson
Jaylon Johnson missed all of training camp last year with a groin/leg injury that continued to force him to miss time during the 2025 regular season. He is back and healthy and making Pro Bowl level plays again.
That matters because Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III are going to spend camp trying to beat him one on one. Both are expected to take on bigger roles after the Bears traded DJ Moore. Burden missed time last offseason with a soft tissue injury and is supposed to break out this year.
Going up against a healthy Johnson every day in practice? That is how you get ready for real cornerbacks in real games. These matchups are going to be fun to watch.
Green Bay’s rookie class might actually play
The Packers did not have a ton of draft capital, but the rookies they did take could see the field earlier than usual. Green Bay typically takes its time with young players, but this year might be different.
Third round defensive tackle Chris McClellan and fifth round offensive lineman Jager Burton got first team reps during the offseason program. Second round cornerback Brandon Cisse is developmental, but the cornerback situation is fragile enough that he might get chances anyway. Fourth round edge defender Dani Dennis-Sutton could rotate in while Micah Parsons recovers from an ACL injury.
One rookie who will definitely play is sixth round kicker Trey Smack. Because kicker.
Drew Petzing is the Lions’ secret weapon and nobody is talking about it
This is the most underrated storyline in the entire division.
Drew Petzing just spent the last few years squeezing blood from a stone in Arizona. He made an offense work with Jacoby Brissett, Kyler Murray, James Conner, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Michael Wilson. He turned Wilson into a legitimate receiver. He helped develop Trey McBride into one of the best tight ends in the league. And he did it all with an offensive line that was just a bunch of guys.
Now he is coming to Detroit with actual weapons. Actual talent. An actual offensive line.
Petzing is bringing heavier sets, gap scheme looks, 12 and 13 personnel packages that are going to open up massive holes for Jahmyr Gibbs. There is not a more dangerous running back in space than Gibbs. If Petzing can also push the ball downfield more consistently, which is something the Lions have been trying to do for a while now, this offense could be scary good.
With everything happening in the secondary and the defensive changes after Aaron Glenn left, Petzing feels like the thing we are not talking about enough. He could be a massive upgrade. He should be a massive upgrade. And if he is, the Lions offense is going to be a problem for everyone in this division.
Is Drew Petzing about to unlock this offense or are we setting ourselves up for disappointment again? Drop your take below.
