The toughest division in the NFL during the regular season failed in the postseason but became fascinating again in three days this week.
The NFL final four is set. After a regular season in which the NFC North was universally lauded as the league’s best division, the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers are absent on conference championship weekend after quick playoff exits.
For the Chicago Bears, the 2024 season began as one of the most optimistic campaigns in recent history. The team was expected to threaten for a playoff berth af
Vikings, and Packers were a combined 29-4 against teams outside the division in the regular season. In the playoffs, they were 0-3 against non-NFC North teams. Minnesota and Green Bay each had 10-1 records against non-division rivals. The Lions were 9-2.
After the regular-season finale in Detroit, Lions coach Dan Campbell said to Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, "See you in two weeks."
The NFC North produced three playoff teams, two teams with 14 or more wins and the conference’s No. 1 seed — creating a historic, never-before-seen regular season inside the division. Then the playoffs began, and it all fell apart in stunning fashion. Not a single team from the NFC North won a playoff game.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Bears have requested permission to interview Minnesota Vikings passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Daronte Jones for their vacant defensive coordinator position in 2025.
They're reportedly finalizing a deal to hire Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their next head coach. After choosing to stay in Detroit amid head coaching interest over the past couple hiring cycles,
Add Daronte Jones to the list of Vikings coaches (and one executive) who have received interest from another franchise regarding a possible promotion.
The NFC North had a terrific regular season and a tough playoffs. Here's what life could look like in 2025 for the NFC North.
The NFC North’s dominance this season was historic. So was the flameout. The four teams combined for a 45-23 record, with the Detroit Lions (1