NFC North Round-Up: Ranking the LB Rooms for All 4 Teams
Training camps across the NFL got started a couple weeks ago, and the start of the 2023 season is officially right around the corner.
However, as camps continue to progress, we will still be working through the remaining position rankings across the NFC North for this upcoming year. Here is a look at the LB rooms for all four teams in the division.
1. Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears made a point of getting better at the linebacker position this offseason, and they put their money where their mouth was. The Bears not only inked T.J. Edwards to a three-year contract worth $19.5 million, but they also added Tremaine Edmunds on a four-year, $72 million contract.
These two players combined for 261 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 14 passes defended, and an interception during the 2022 season (Edwards was with the Eagles while Edmunds was with the Bills). These two should help the Bears make a big turnaround defensively during the 2023 season.
2. Green Bay Packers
De’Vondre Campbell is one of the most talented off-ball linebackers in the league. He was a first-team All-Pro player in 2021, and he followed that season up with 96 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 passes defended, and a pair of interceptions over 13 games in 2022.
However, Green Bay could be considered thin at the linebacker spot behind Campbell. We need to see further growth from players like Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie before crowning them as the cream of the crop.
3. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have a ton of potential at their linebacker position, but we haven’t seen enough of the group yet to justify a high ranking on this list. However, we can assume that Jordan Hicks should be better in a blitz-heavy Brian Flores defense after recording just 17 blitzes during the 2022 season.
Meanwhile, Brian Asamoah and Ivan Pace seem to be impressing to this point in camp, with Pace actually earning reps with the starting defense. The talents of these two players will likely determine how much success the Vikings LB group can have in 2023.
4. Detroit Lions
Like the Vikings, the Detroit Lions have plenty of potential for growth at their linebacker position this season. Malcolm Rodriguez burst onto the scene as a sixth-round pick last year, and he started 15 games for Detroit in 2022.
Additionally, the Lions are hoping that Jack Campbell can live up to his status as the 18th overall pick in this spring’s draft. Campbell was a very physical linebacker during his time at Iowa, capable of making an impact as a run-stopper, pass-rusher, and in coverage. His immediate impact on the team will determine if Detroit can rise up this list throughout the season.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.