In less than a month, teams in the league will begin reporting for Training Camp and the new NFL season will be upon us. It was a great 2025 season filled with tons of memorable games, new teams vying for spots at the top, and the emergence of new superstars. We are previewing every division and what you need to know. Here is our 2026 NFC North preview.
Last Year
What a ride it was for the NFC North in 2025. It was truly a shocking season in the division and I’m not sure anyone could have predicted what would have gone down at the beginning. Coming in at the top…the Chicago Bears. I know we were as shocked as you likely were. The Bears powered their way to the top with 11 wins behind an electric offense. Caleb Williams really benefited from the coaching of Ben Johnson. Behind them were the Green Bay Packers who had some horrible losses down the stretch, including in the postseason, and there were serious talks about Matt LaFleur. Green Bay, Detroit, and Minnesota all had the same record with 9 wins but couldn’t separate themselves from the pack.
Favorite to win in 2026
This is a brutally difficult division to predict. The North is stacked. While some teams, the Vikings and Lions, had down years, all four have a very good chance of being great this season. The Bears could have a hangover from their great season, the Lions should rebound, the Vikings should improve, and the Packers, if healthy, are one of the best teams in the NFC. I will go with Vegas over my own brain here and the oddsmakers have the Lions as favorites with the Packers at a close second.
Offensive Player to Watch: Kyler Murray / JJ McCarthy
The most interesting battle in this division will come from the same team. The Vikings got rid of Sam Darnold to clear a path for JJ McCarthy. That resulted in the Vikings quickly losing faith in McCarthy while Darnold went on to win a Super Bowl in his first year in Seattle. The Vikes have now brought in Kyler Murray whose career could be at a breaking point. Can the veteran hold off the young guy? Or will McCarthy reign supreme? I don’t know, but I cannot wait to watch.
Defensive Player to Watch: Micah Parsons
The Packers shocked the NFL when they traded for Micah Parsons right before the season began. Parsons didn’t get a full season after going down with a torn ACL. When healthy, he is arguably a top three defensive player in the league. He can be a huge difference maker for the Packers and could get them through the NFC. He has a ton to prove in his new city and wants to be known as a Packer, not a Cowboy.
Prediction
Chicago became a powerhouse last season. I have to go with them again, but this will be a tight division with four very quality teams. Record (10-7)