The Minnesota Vikings won the NFC North in 2015. I had picked Minnesota to make the playoffs last season but I never expected them to topple the Packers, at least not yet. The Lions and Bears will also be looking to rebound. Let’s take a look at what the NFC North could bring to the table next season.
- Minnesota Vikings, 2015 record (11-5)
Key Free Agents: Terrence Newman, Matt Asiata, Chad Greenway
The Vikings come into this offseason with some play money sitting at around 24 million. That number could drastically increase by 11.5 when Mike Wallace is eventually released. I expect the Vikings to add some offensive pieces especially at receiver while filling in some depth on defense.
- Green Bay Packers, 2015 record (10-6)
Key Free Agents: James Jones, Mason Crosby, John Kuhn, B.J. Raji, James Starks, Mike Neal, Casey Hayward, Nick Perry
Don’t expect Green Bay to do much in free agency because well they never do. On the rare occasion they do it is always a player who has been released so it does not count against the compensatory formula. Having said that expect a majority of the incumbent free agents to take deals elsewhere. The Pack will have 22 million to work with in free agency. Getting Jordy Nelson back will improve the offense more than anything.
- Detroit Lions, 2015 record (7-9)
Key Free Agents: Tahir Whitehead, Haloti Ngata,
The Lions offseason took a drastic turn when Calvin Johnson said he was going to retire. The problem is he still hasn’t made it official, which by effect is holding a 24 million dollar expense over the Lions head. The Lions also have 24 million in cap space that could be doubled once Calvin makes it official. I would expect the Lions to retain Whitehead and Ngata at a reasonable rate. They also need to find some lineman to protect Mathew Stafford as he has been sacked 89 times over the past two years.
- Chicago Bears, 2015 record (6-10)
Key Free Agents: Zach Miller, Matt Forte, Jacquizz Rodgers, Vlad Ducasse, Shea McClellin
The Bears will once again have some cash to burn sitting 46.5 million under the cap. If I were the Bears I would be in the quarterback market knowing Jay Cutler will eventually implode. I would also let Matt Forte as over paying running backs is a thing of the past. Getting 2015 first round pick Kevin White back also figures to help.
*All cap figures courtesy of overthecap.com
