Can the Vikings Keep the NFC North Crown in 2023?
As training camp continues to get closer, many folks have begun previewing the 2023 season and what we should expect to see from each NFL team in 2023. Over the course of the next couple weeks, we will be breaking down all 32 NFL teams, going over some of the biggest moves of the offseason, best-case and worst-case scenarios for 2023, and addressing some of the questions facing each team. To get things started, we’re staying in familiar territory, discussing the NFC North.
Chicago Bears
- 2022 Record: 3-14 (4th in NFC North)
- Best Addition: LB Tremaine Edmunds
- Biggest Loss: RB David Montgomery
- Underrated Move: Drafting WR Tyler Scott
- 2023 Floor: 6-11
- 2023 Ceiling: 12-5
- Biggest Question: Will New Weapons Help Justin Fields Take the Next Step?
The Chicago Bears were one of the most active teams this offseason, bringing in a number of pieces to help their offense (D.J. Moore, Tyler Scott, Robert Tonyan) and defense (Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Gervon Dexter). However, the one thing that will either make-or-break this team in 2023 is the development of Justin Fields.
We’ve seen a number of young, mobile QBs take big leaps in the third year of their careers, such as Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts. If Fields can follow in a similar trajectory, improving his accuracy as a passer and still picking his spots to use his legs, Chicago could be a threat in the NFC North. However, if Fields continues to hover around the 60% completion percentage, relies largely on checkdowns, and takes bad sacks, the Bears could struggle once again. Darnell Wright should help the sack problems, but Fields has to put in work as well.
Should the Lions Be the Favorites?
- 2022 Record: 9-8 (2nd in NFC North)
- Best Addition: S Brian Branch
- Biggest Loss: RB Jamaal Williams
- Underrated Move: Signing RB David Montgomery
- 2023 Floor: 8-9
- 2023 Ceiling: 11-6
- Biggest Question: Can the Defense Catch Up to the Offense?
Dan Campbell’s second season as the head coach of the Detroit Lions saw massive leaps and bounds of improvement, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Jared Goff had one of his better seasons as a passer, and they got terrific rushing production out of Jamaal Williams, who led the league in rushing TDs.
However, defensively, things did not go as well for the Lions last year. They were among the worst in the league for many metrics, and if they want to have a chance to win the division in 2023, they desperately need to improve in this area. Luckily, much of their attention this offseason went to improving the defense, both in free agency and the draft. In addition, it seems to be going under the radar that David Montgomery will be able to run behind one of the best offensive lines in football rather than struggle through what he’s had around him in Chicago over the past couple years.
Green Bay Packers
- 2022 Record: 8-9 (3rd in NFC North)
- Best Addition: EDGE Tucker Kraft
- Biggest Loss: QB Aaron Rodgers
- Underrated Move: Drafting WR Jayden Reed
- 2023 Floor: 6-11
- 2023 Ceiling: 11-6
- Biggest Question: How Good Is Jordan Love?
The Green Bay Packers have benefited from Hall of Fame-caliber play at the quarterback position over the past quarter-century, but now, they are turning to the unproven Jordan Love in order to try and keep their success going. We have seen very little of the 2020 first-round pick to this point in his career, and his abilities will be what either carries Green Bay to contention or places them into the bottom-half of the division once again.
Luckily, despite the losses of Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb in free agency, Love should have plenty of options to throw to this season. Green Bay spent top-100 picks on all three of Luke Musgrave, Jayden Reed, and Tucker Kraft in the draft, and the rookies should immediately be prominent features of the Packers offense. Additionally, another year of development for Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson should put them in position for big jumps in year two.
Minnesota Vikings
- 2022 Record: 13-4 (1st in NFC North, No. 3 seed in NFC)
- Best Addition: WR Jordan Addison
- Biggest Loss: EDGE Za’Darius Smith
- Underrated Move: Signing TE Josh Oliver
- 2023 Floor: 8-9
- 2023 Ceiling: 12-5
- Biggest Question: What in the World Does the Secondary Look Like?
The Vikings signed Byron Murphy in free agency, and they kept Harrison Smith around after getting him to take a pay cut. However, as of now, those are the only two players in the secondary that should be considered locks for the starting lineup.
Lewis Cine will find himself in a battle for that other starting safety spot with Cam Bynum and Josh Metellus, both of whom have shown flashes in their opportunities to start. Meanwhile, the trio of Mekhi Blackmon, Andrew Booth, and Akayleb Evans hopefully become the favorites to duke it out for the remaining CB spots in the lineup. Minnesota’s defense was one of the worst in the league last season, but with the hire of Brian Flores and some maintained production offensively, they should be able to remain in contention as long as the defense gets better.
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.