For the first time since the 2019 season, the Chicago Bears are the defending NFC North champions and will deal with the pressure of defending in a loaded division. It will unquestionably be an uphill fight with the North having a clear argument as the most talented division with all four teams making the playoffs at least once over the previous two seasons.
With this in mind, let's rank the biggest threats to Chicago when it comes to attempting to steal the division crown. Starting with a team that missed last year's playoffs in no small part due to the loss of current Chicago head coach Ben Johnson.
1. Detroit Lions
The Lions have had a solid offseason, bringing in new offensive coaching and patching an offensive line that was blamed for much of last season's letdown. Detroit is the biggest threat to the Bears and earned this respect even in the middle of a season that saw the franchise miss the playoffs. The Lions beat the Bears in a blowout win early in the season and followed this up with a 19-16 gritty January win, even when they had very little to play for.
Whether it is due to knowing Johnson so well or just how the two teams match up, there is no denying that Detroit had Chicago's number a season ago. They remain the biggest threat when it comes to potentially stealing the crown and will be a tone-setting matchup when the two teams first meet late in November.
2. Green Bay Packers
It is hard to view the Packers as much of a threat after Johnson went 2-1 against the hated rival, with the last win coming in a playoff collapse from the Packers. This had to take a mental toll on Green Bay and leave the franchise questioning whether or not they are going to be able to trade blows with Chicago's loaded roster.
Apart from the gained mental edge, you also have the fact that free agency and trade losses far outweigh any notable additions. The Packers' roster appeared to get worse in nearly every phase of the game. It also helps Chicago that Micah Parsons isn't expected back until October, leaving a defense that lost a number of key contributors all the more short-handed.
3. Minnesota Vikings
It had to be devastating for Vikings fans to watch Sam Darnold go from a postseason liability to the defending Super Bowl champ. This is all while the Vikings are starting J.J. McCarthy and now having a competition going with Kyler Murray that cannot inspire any level of confidence. In a tough North, a team that won double-digit games a season ago cannot be totally discounted.
However, it is hard to see any path to viable contention with the current quarterback situation and the downgrades made in the offseason. Minnesota simply doesn't have the established talent to compete in the division, needing a lot of surprises to fall their way for this to change.
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