NFC North preseason power rankings: Bears' offseason signals change

The 2024 NFL Preseason begins in earnest this week after the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans had the island game known as the NFL's Hall of Game last Thursday.

Bears fans will have an early look at how teams across the NFC North are looking after an offseason of notable changes. The Detroit Lions enter the 2024 season as the clear favorites in the NFC North while the Green Bay Packers and a freshly extended Jordan Love look to take another step forward in Love's second season as the team's starting quarterback. Meanwhile, after signing former first-round pick Sam Darnold and drafting JJ McCarthy, the Minnesota Vikings are entering a new era at their quarterback position.

NFC North Power Rankings: Preseason Week 1

1. Detroit Lions

• After nearly making it to the Super Bowl last season, there is no question that the Lions are sitting at the top of the NFC North. The Lions' offseason was geared around improving their secondary and that could be what keeps them not only at the top of the division but one of the strongest Super Bowl contenders in the NFC.

2. Green Bay Packers

• During the second half of the 2023 season season, Jordan Love was the best quarterback in the NFL. On offense, the Packers added former NFL leading rusher Josh Jacobs in their backfield. Given how Love looked at the end of last season, the Packers deserve to be right up there with the Lions. Having said that, Love's turnover against the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs is a reminder that he is still capable of making a mistake or two. If Love suffers a slump in his second year as a full-time starting quarterback, the Packers could be one of the biggest disappointments of the season.

3. Chicago Bears

• The Chicago Bears were the offseason darlings and on paper, there is a clear path to them being the surprise contender in the NFC. There are plenty of reasons to be excited about the Bears but there remain questions in the trenches. Until the Bears have legitimate answers on both the offensive and defensive lines, there will be a ceiling to their success.

4. Minnesota Vikings

• Sam Darnold has yet to find success in the NFL while the bust potential of JJ McCarthy is high. Unless one of the quarterbacks proves to be the answer, the Minnesota Vikings likely will be at the bottom of the NFC North for most of the season.