NFC North is loaded and underrated themes to keep an eye on with rookies playing a major role
The NFC North has a lot of talent across the board, and the depth of these rosters will be interesting to watch.
The NFC North is loaded from top to bottom.
Last year, all four teams finished with a winning record, and the Minnesota Vikings, despite being two games behind, were one win over the Chicago Bears away from taking the NFC North.
We know the division is loaded with big time storylines, these are ones to watch for during training camp that you need to keep an eye on.
Minnesota Vikings: Defensive line depth
We know that edge rusher is a tough position for the Vikings. They have Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel, but that’s all they have. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins moved over to edge rusher with a profile that doesn’t match up for how Brian Flores likes to use that position.
With edge rusher taking the majority of the attention, the defensive line has taken a back seat. It’s an odd thing to see considering Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange were two of the top three picks, but the way the group is structured will be an interesting one. I am very bullish on Elijah Williams’ potential, and Levi Drake Rodriguez has some intrigue. Plus, there is Jalen Redmond who might be the best player on the defense. How it shakes out is going to be a fun one to watch.
–Tyler Forness, A to Z Minnesota
Chicago Bears: Young wide receivers competing against Jaylon Johnson
This is something that the Bears missed out on last year in training camp and something that will be even more valuable this season. Last year, cornerback Jaylon Johnson missed the entirety of training camp due to a groin/leg injury that continued to force him to miss time during the 2025 regular season. Johnson is back to being fully healthy and was making Pro Bowl-caliber plays out at practice the last time we saw him at minicamp.
Facing a healthy Johnson will be great experience for Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III during camp. Both players are expected to take on higher roles on offense after trading away DJ Moore and will be to be ready to go up against top-level corners one-on-one. This year’s training camp will be even more important for Burden, who missed time last offseason as well due to a soft-tissue injury, and is expected to be a breakout WR. These two going up against Johnson will be must-watch matchups over the next few weeks.
Green Bay Packers: Potential impact of rookie class
The Packers didn’t have the resources to make many additions, but the early impact of rookies is something to watch. Historically, Green Bay tends to be cautious and patient to heavily including young players in the rotation, but a small 2026 draft class could bring some interesting exceptions depending on how training camp develops. Third-round defensive tackle Chris McClellan and fifth-round offensive lineman Jager Burton received reps with the ones throughout the offseason program, so it’s reasonable to expect more chances and testing during training camp as well.
Second-round cornerback Brandon Cisse is more of a young, developmental player, but the fragile situation at the position could eventually lead to more chances. Fourth round edge defender Dani Dennis-Sutton may also enter the rotation at outside linebacker, especially while Micah Parsons recovers from an ACL injury. One rookie who will inevitably play is sixth-round kicker Trey Smack.
–Wendell Ferreira, A to Z Green Bay
Detroit Lions: New offensive coordinator Drew Petzing
The most underrated storyline with the Lions is how good new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing is going to be for this team. My pal Tyler Fornes, the A to Z Sports Vikings beat writer, uses the term “blood from a stone,” and I think it’s perfect. It really captures just how much Petzing was squeezing out of that Arizona Cardinals offense with Jacoby Brissett, Kyler Murray, James Conner, Marvin Harrison Jr. (who just hasn’t turned out to be the guy everybody thought he would be), and Michael Wilson, who Petzing essentially turned into a pretty good receiver. He had a lot to do with getting tight end Trey McBride to where he is now. Arizona’s offensive line was nothing special, just a bunch of dudes doing the job.
Coming to Detroit, Petzing is bringing a lot of good stuff that fits what the Lions want to do and fits their players. The biggest addition is the heavier sets, the gap scheme looks, 12 and 13 personnel packages that are going to open up bigger holes for running back Jahmyr Gibbs and get him into space. I don’t think there’s a running back more dangerous in space than Gibbs. If Petzing can also build on some of the other things the Lions have been trying to do, like pushing the ball deep more often, this could be a massive upgrade. You could easily put this in the “biggest storyline” category, but with everything else going on in the secondary, it kind of feels underrated. It feels like the thing we’re not talking enough about.
