3 Worst Offseason Moves From the Bears' NFC North Rivals
By Cem Yolbulan
The 2023 season was a fascinating one for the NFC North, with the Detroit Lions winning the division for the first time in 30 years. The Green Bay Packers made the postseason alongside the Lions, despite both teams falling short of their ultimate goal of making the Super Bowl.
Both clubs will be the teams to beat next season as well. The Chicago Bears, after a flurry of moves this offseason, including the upcoming first-overall and ninth-overall selections in the 2024 NFL Draft, will look to unseat them and win the division for the first time since 2018.
Fortunately for the Bears, their NFC North rivals made a couple of head-scratching moves this offseason that could increase Chicago's chances to compete. Let's take a look at the worst move by each rival.
Packers Replacing Aaron Jones with Josh Jacobs
On paper, this might look like an upgrade. Aaron Jones is aging and Josh Jacobs has been one of the best running backs in the league. However, Jones has been the heart and soul of the Packers ever since he was drafted in the fifth round back in 2017.
Not only that, but he also always showed up in big games. Even in a down season last year, he was absolutely dominant in the playoffs, posting 226 yards on 39 carries and scoring three touchdowns in two games.
Yes, Jones was expensive and refused to take a pay cut. But, it's not like they got Jacobs on a team-friendly deal. In fact, they broke the bank for him with a four-year, $48 million deal despite the fact that he just had the worst season of his career in 2023.
Jacobs averaged 3.5 yards per carry for the Raiders last year, finding the end zone six times. He also has a ton of mileage on his legs after being the every-down workhorse running back for five straight seasons. There is a very real chance that the Packers regret this decision.