Predicting the NFC North Rankings in 2026
The NFC North is going to be an absolute war in the year of 2026.
The Chicago Bears are looking to repeat as division champions, and the Detroit Lions are again trying to work their way out of the basement. The division is coming off of a year in which they all finished within four games of each other, and two teams in the Packers and Bears made the playoffs. The Vikings were the best team in the NFL by record to not make the playoffs, and finished one game in front of the Detroit Lions.
Regardless of what happens, next season is a new one, and all of these teams currently have an even shot to win the division title. Let’s go ahead and take our best guess about how it all shakes out.
4. Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers won’t be a “bad” team in 2026, but it’s hard to see them being a “good” one. Head coach Matt LaFleur feels a bit like he’s on the hot seat, and the question marks all over the team might not be enough to get him over the hump for an NFC North title.
Josh Jacobs is facing legal troubles, and might draw a suspension from the NFL. Micah Parsons is going to be out for around half the season, and while Jordan Love is a solid QB, it’s unclear if he can really elevate a middling-roster to a contender.
3. Detroit Lions
The Lions are coming off of a very disappointing season relative to the seasons previous. The Lions lost both Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn heading into the 2025 season, and it seems as if the entire team took a step back as a result, finishing last in the NFC North.
Kelvin Sheppard is back as DC in 2026 for his second season, and Detroit brought in former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing to call the offense. If you watched the Cardinals play last year, then you understand that this might be a good thing for the Vikings.
2. Minnesota Vikings
I truly do believe the Vikings have a shot to win the division, especially if Kyler Murray is at the helm. Still, I can’t shake the belief that there will be times where he won’t be in the game due to injury.
The Vikings very well could have to roll out multiple QBs again this season, and if they do, then obviously their place in the NFC North suffers. Their defense should still one of the best in the league as it usually is under Brian Flores, but the mess at QB makes it difficult to give them the top spot.
1. Chicago Bears
You don’t like reading it, and I don’t like writing it, but as of now, I see the Chicago Bears repeating as NFC North champions.
I could lie to you and say that I don’t think this is happening and just put the Vikings in first, but I don’t want to do that. I think Caleb Williams takes yet another step this season, and Ben Johnson is as good as advertised in recent seasons.
