Top rookie and up-and-coming coach, NFC North quarterback with the most to prove

Last season, the NFC North posted the best victory percentage (.662) by a division since 2002, when the model was modified to four divisions in each conference, making it probably the strongest division in the NFL. However, as the postseason started and all three of the NFC North playoff teams lost their opening game, the praise stopped.

 

After that letdown, the Chicago Bears had a busy offseason, hiring Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, as their next head coach. In addition to an unexpected retirement, there were player additions and costly contract extensions. Reporters Courtney Cronin of the Bears, Rob Demovsky of the Packers, Kevin Seifert of the Vikings, and Eric Woodyard of the Lions dissect a division that is anticipated to hold firm. According to ESPN Analytics, the NFC North is the only division where all four teams have a chance of at least 35% to qualify for the playoffs. ESPN BET provides the following outcome regarding the favourite: Following the Packers, Bears, and Vikings, the Lions win three in a row.

 

Cronin: Love for Jordan. After Love had a great second half in his first season as a starter in 2023, the Packers offered him a $220 million contract in July, which is equivalent to $55 million annually. A quarterback entering his sixth season in the NFL (and his third as a starter) needs to play better and more consistently just to earn that pay, and it’s troublesome that the same questions about his performance persist. Love doesn’t get any more passes in 2024 with the same offence, playcaller, and improved offensive weapons, but it’s hard to tell how much of that was due to injury—he missed two complete games—versus regression. In Green Bay, the playoffs are expected.

 

Demovsky: McCarthy, J.J. Although Love and Packers coach Matt LaFleur have pushed back on this summer the national perception that he deteriorated in his second season as a starter, Love is likely ranked third on the NFC North quarterback prove-it list, behind McCarthy and Caleb Williams of the Bears. Although it appears that Williams will flip the switch with the coaching change in Chicago, there is really a grace period with a new coach, so give them time. However, despite using a quarterback who hasn’t even played an NFL snap, the Vikings have been and are predicted to be a playoff club, so McCarthy ought to be at the top of this list.

 

Williams, Seifert. McCarthy has yet to play in a regular-season game, let alone take part in a drill, so it has been incredible to witness the widespread confidence surrounding him. McCarthy, however, does not have the impression of a first season deficit to overcome, in contrast to Williams. The Bears aggressively provided Williams with a superior roster and coaching infrastructure in 2024, despite his performance being much below expectations. Now is the time to see if he can play transcendentally.

 

Woodyard: Goff, Jared. A dramatic upset loss to the Washington Commanders in the NFC divisional round marked the end of a remarkable 2024 regular season, in which he achieved career highs in touchdowns (37) and QBR (68.4). In addition to three interceptions and a lost fumble, Goff was responsible for four of the team’s five turnovers during that game. Therefore, the question still stands: Can Goff lead the squad to a Super Bowl victory? Despite all of his own achievements, he has not yet demonstrated that.