NFC North: The rest
GREEN BAY PACKERS (11-7)
Last year: The offense stumbled following a season-ending knee injury in preseason to WR Jordy Nelson and the struggles of RB Eddie Lacy. QB Aaron Rodgers’ 92.7 passer rating was the lowest of his career since taking over as the starter in 2008. Coach Mike McCarthy took back play-calling duties late in season, though Packers still ended up losing the last two games of regular season, and their four-year run atop NFC North ended. An improved defense led by DL Mike Daniels and LB Clay Matthews helped make up for the offense’s shortcomings, while a young secondary took another step forward.
Important additions: TE Jared Cook, DL Kenny Clark, LB Blake Martinez, OL Jason Spriggs.
Important losses: DL B.J. Raji, WR James Jones, FB John Kuhn, QB Scott Tolzien, TE Andrew Quarless, CB Casey Hayward.
Camp needs: Packers will proceed slowly in camp with Nelson as a precaution, though McCarthy has marveled about Nelson’s work ethic in rehab. Lacy hopes to bounce back after slimming down in the offseason. Matthews is headed back to outside linebacker, meaning the Packers are looking for stability again on the inside. Fourth-round draft pick Blake Martinez will get a look.
Expectations: If Nelson comes back healthy as expected and Lacy returns to form, the Packers should be potent again. They’re always a threat to make a deep playoff run with Rodgers behind center. The return of DL Letroy Guion and the addition of
first-round pick Clark help ease the loss of Raji. But Matthews should be happy to be back outside to rush the passer.
DETROIT LIONS (7-9)
Last year: Lost the first five games and seven of eight, leading to team president Tom Lewand, general manager Martin Mayhew and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi getting fired. Won seven of the last nine games, helping coach Jim Caldwell retain his job for a third season, under first-year general manager Bob Quinn.
Important additions: WRs Marvin Jones and Jeremy Kerley, rookie OT Taylor Decker, rookie DT A’Shawn Robinson, OG Geoff Schwartz.
Important losses: WR Calvin Johnson, RB Joique Bell, DE Jason Jones, LB Stephen Tulloch, CB Rashean Mathis, SS James Ihedigbo.
Camp needs: QB Matthew Stafford has to work on chemistry with the receiving corps without Johnson, especially veteran newcomers Jones and Kerley. Detroit must figure out how to protect Stafford better and to open more holes for running game with a reshaped line that includes Decker, a highly touted first-round pick. Defensively, coaches are hoping any DE — perhaps Devin Taylor — emerges to start opposite rising star Ezekiel Ansah. Lions also need a DT — ideally, Robinson — that can be paired with veteran Haloti Ngata.
Expectations: Lions had a losing record in seven of Johnson’s nine years. They will be projected to have another sub-.500 season without their retired superstar drawing double-coverage on almost every snap. Quinn will not be under pressure to win right away. Caldwell, though, will have to show his new boss he
can help the franchise move in the right direction.
CHICAGO BEARS (6-10)
Last year: The Bears finished last in the NFC North in the first season under GM Ryan Pace and coach John Fox, but looked more like a professional outfit after being engulfed by chaos in 2014. QB Jay Cutler had a career-high 92.3 rating, but the defense struggled to make plays, tying for 22nd in sacks and 30th in interceptions.
Important additions: ILBs Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman, RT Bobby Massie, QB Brian Hoyer, OLB Leonard Floyd, G Cody Whitehair.
Important losses: RB Matt Forte, TE Martellus Bennett, S Antrel Rolle, G Matt Slauson, LT Jermon Bushrod, offensive coordinator Adam Gase.
Camp needs: The defense and offensive lines will need to jell after overhauls. Bears will also have to overcome the loss of two key playmakers on offense after choosing not to offer Forte a contract and trading Bennett to New England. Development of WR Kevin White will also be worth watching. Last year’s first-round pick, he missed his rookie season because of a stress fracture in his left shin. The Bears are banking on him to form a dynamic tandem with Alshon Jeffery.
Expectations: Bears still have a long way to go before planning any Super Bowl celebrations, though Fox’s teams have a history of making jumps in his second season. Carolina went from seven wins in 2002 to 11 in 2003, while Denver went from eight wins in 2011 to 13 in 2012.