Official 2025 NFC North Thread

[hairysasquatch]

Originally Posted by Grid

Crown of poop

[Ninotores]

I feel like the North is going to go back to being mid this season.

The Lions coaching issues. The Vikings...I just don't buy into JJ. The Bears are the Bears. And as a Green Bay fan, I'll say, I think they crapped the bed as usual in free agency and left some big holes in the team that have not been filled. Getting a rookie receiver is not going to transform the team. Especially with Love's noodle arm and addiction to lobbing the 50/50 ball.

[Grid]

Originally Posted by Ninotores

I feel like the North is going to go back to being mid this season.

The Lions coaching issues. The Vikings...I just don't buy into JJ. The Bears are the Bears. And as a Green Bay fan, I'll say, I think they crapped the bed as usual in free agency and left some big holes in the team that have not been filled. Getting a rookie receiver is not going to transform the team. Especially with Love's noodle arm and addiction to lobbing the 50/50 ball.

I was shocked when the Pack weren't aggressive in free agency. I get that teams have to overspend to get talent that way. But they are sitting top 10 in cap space, and have money to burn. So why not?

[Ninotores]

Originally Posted by Grid

I was shocked when the Pack weren't aggressive in free agency. I get that teams have to overspend to get talent that way. But they are sitting top 10 in cap space, and have money to burn. So why not?

They very rarely ever do much in Free Agency. They want all homebrew talent. Which has given them some good players, but not enough to finally get into a Superbowl so at this point, it's the insanity definition of doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

[erock28]

Originally Posted by Ninotores

They very rarely ever do much in Free Agency. They want all homebrew talent. Which has given them some good players, but not enough to finally get into a Superbowl so at this point, it's the insanity definition of doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

I think they took a long view approach to free agency in 2025, meaning they couldn’t afford to add a bunch of key pieces without losing some of their own in 2026. The list of upcoming free agents for GB is a long one, and includes multiple starters at key positions. Both offensive tackles in Walker and Tom. Two top 5 wideouts in Doubs and Watson. Defensive starters and former first round picks in Quay and Wyatt. Toss in other starters like Enagbare and Rhyan…they stand to lose a lot of players after this year. Also keep in mind, they did pay up for McKinney and Jacobs last year…so it’s not like they never spend. I feel the cap space was kept for the reason of having more purchasing power next off season.

[Grid]

Originally Posted by erock28

I think they took a long view approach to free agency in 2025, meaning they couldn’t afford to add a bunch of key pieces without losing some of their own in 2026. The list of upcoming free agents for GB is a long one, and includes multiple starters at key positions. Both offensive tackles in Walker and Tom. Two top 5 wideouts in Doubs and Watson. Defensive starters and former first round picks in Quay and Wyatt. Toss in other starters like Enagbare and Rhyan…they stand to lose a lot of players after this year. Also keep in mind, they did pay up for McKinney and Jacobs last year…so it’s not like they never spend. I feel the cap space was kept for the reason of having more purchasing power next off season.

Not sure about having purchasing power next year. The cap will go up. But as of now, without resigning or extending anyone. The Pack only have $6MIL free in 2026.

They cant really move Love money much more. This year he is manageable. With a $30MIL cap hit. 2026 that jumps to almost $37MIL. 2027 it is $44MIL.

Then in 2028, it accelerates to $76MIL. And all of that, is with $32MIL already in a void year for 2029.

[Ninotores]

Paying Love that much is looking like a mistake. Noodle arm. Willis has a stronger arm than Love. I also feel Willis is a bigger threat with the ability to run far more than Love can/does. Unfortunately Malik's accuracy needs work.

[Scottish Punk]

Originally Posted by Grid

Not sure about having purchasing power next year. The cap will go up. But as of now, without resigning or extending anyone. The Pack only have $6MIL free in 2026.

They cant really move Love money much more. This year he is manageable. With a $30MIL cap hit. 2026 that jumps to almost $37MIL. 2027 it is $44MIL.

Then in 2028, it accelerates to $76MIL. And all of that, is with $32MIL already in a void year for 2029.

He is never seeing that 76 mil in 2028. He will either be re-negotiated, traded (with a new contract), or cut. Packers really have the next two years with him to figure out if they want Love for the foreseeable future or not.

[Grid]

Originally Posted by Scottish Punk

He is never seeing that 76 mil in 2028. He will either be re-negotiated, traded (with a new contract), or cut. Packers really have the next two years with him to figure out if they want Love for the foreseeable future or not.

He got $79MIL last year with the bonus already.

All in, his deal came with $160,300,000 guaranteed. If he doesn't work out, that will be a lot to work around or eat if they cut him.

[slyguy]

Originally Posted by Grid

I was shocked when the Pack weren't aggressive in free agency. I get that teams have to overspend to get talent that way. But they are sitting top 10 in cap space, and have money to burn. So why not?

They never are.

Heck, I think Josh Jacobs was about the biggest FA they landed in the last 3 decades (Reggie White... wrong side of 30 but still effective for GB).

[packman80]

Originally Posted by Grid

I was shocked when the Pack weren't aggressive in free agency. I get that teams have to overspend to get talent that way. But they are sitting top 10 in cap space, and have money to burn. So why not?

GB has lot of guys coming up for contracts. Expect Zach tom to get a big ext probably before season. Also contracts for Wyatt and Walker too. Packers probably going to have to let a couple guys go next off-season like a Kenny Clark past 30 and big deal. GB will need cap space for the young guys needing a 2nd contract.

[packman80]

Originally Posted by slyguy

They never are.

Heck, I think Josh Jacobs was about the biggest FA they landed in the last 3 decades (Reggie White... wrong side of 30 but still effective for GB).

Charles Woods says high.

[packman80]

Originally Posted by Ninotores

Paying Love that much is looking like a mistake. Noodle arm. Willis has a stronger arm than Love. I also feel Willis is a bigger threat with the ability to run far more than Love can/does. Unfortunately Malik's accuracy needs work.

Noodle arm? Willis is a bigger threat? Tell us you know nothing about football without telling us you know nothing about football. I will take Love ability above any QB in the NFC North. Goff is what he is not ever going to be more then he is now. Williams most over rated QB comin gout of the draft in the last 20 years. McCarthy a guy who MN is taking a huge risk handing the reigns over to.

[hairysasquatch]

Originally Posted by packman80

Goff is what he is not ever going to be more then he is now.

I'm befuddled as to what this could mean.

[packman80]

Originally Posted by hairysasquatch

I'm befuddled as to what this could mean.

He's a very good QB. Not elite but very good. But right now the best QB in the NFC North won't be that for much longer though.

[slyguy]

Originally Posted by Ninotores

Paying Love that much is looking like a mistake. Noodle arm. Willis has a stronger arm than Love. I also feel Willis is a bigger threat with the ability to run far more than Love can/does. Unfortunately Malik's accuracy needs work.

Malik decision making needs work.

He's a great athlete... but that doesn't cut it.

[hairysasquatch]

Originally Posted by packman80

He's a very good QB. Not elite but very good. But right now the best QB in the NFC North won't be that for much longer though.

OK we will go with that, then!

[oldgoldy97]

Originally Posted by packman80

Charles Woods says high.

Ickey’s brother?

[oldgoldy97]

I read people feel Detroit is just a Matthew Stafford away from a SB.

[erock28]

Originally Posted by Grid

Not sure about having purchasing power next year. The cap will go up. But as of now, without resigning or extending anyone. The Pack only have $6MIL free in 2026.

They cant really move Love money much more. This year he is manageable. With a $30MIL cap hit. 2026 that jumps to almost $37MIL. 2027 it is $44MIL.

Then in 2028, it accelerates to $76MIL. And all of that, is with $32MIL already in a void year for 2029.

Admittedly I was unaware their space in 2026 was so low. Guess I thought they had more room before they signed Banks and Hobbs. Either way, things open up considerably in '27, even with Love's contract. So they might have to play some cap Gymnastics for 2026, but the lions share of 27/28 space I'm assuming is being planned to cover their own extensions due to the crop of impending FAs.

[Grid]

Speaking of the Cap.

Lions are doing all kinds of cap gymnastics right now. I get that they are in win now mode. But yikes.

They have void years pushed out to 2033 on the books to spread money. Next year, only 33 players total under contract But just those 33, put them $36MIL over the cap. Wild.

https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/detroit-lions

[erock28]

Originally Posted by Grid

Speaking of the Cap.

Lions are doing all kinds of cap gymnastics right now. I get that they are in win now mode. But yikes.

They have void years pushed out to 2033 on the books to spread money. Next year, only 33 players total under contract But just those 33, put them $36MIL over the cap. Wild.

https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/detroit-lions

Wow - next year is brutal for them! Doesn't get too much better in '27/'28 even with the cap rising. To be fair, most of the money pushed out from 2030 on is one player and won't be too much of a roster building deterrent...but the Lions better get a Super Bowl and get it quick.

[Ninotores]

Originally Posted by packman80

Noodle arm? Willis is a bigger threat? Tell us you know nothing about football without telling us you know nothing about football. I will take Love ability above any QB in the NFC North. Goff is what he is not ever going to be more then he is now. Williams most over rated QB comin gout of the draft in the last 20 years. McCarthy a guy who MN is taking a huge risk handing the reigns over to.

Yes, I know nothing about football because I think Love is the epitome of mid. I love how some of you put words in people's mouths because you get all hot and bothered by an opinion a stranger on the internet has. I'll wait, show me where I said Willis was a bigger threat? I said I feel Willis has a stronger arm and an ability to run as well as throw. BUT, as you ignored so you could wring your panties out on me, I also said his accuracy needs work.

Willis has a stronger arm, he was throwing darts when he started last year. Love lobs his balls. He does not have the same arm strength, thus noodle arm. Willis is also a double threat with the ability to run the ball as well as throw it. Love hardly ran at all last season, but I think he was still more injured than he led on. How many games did the Packers lose with Willis starting? I believe the Packers were losing and looked horrible against the Jaguars until Willis went in and the teams dynamic completely changed, and they won the game. Mind you, the games Willis played were not pretty but they got it done.

The jury is out on Love. He was not the same last year. Chalk it up to being injured, losing confidence or just showing his true colors. It didn't help his receivers led the league in dropped balls. There's a lot of question marks going into the season.

Not sure why you ranted about other QBs in the division. I was specifically talking about the Packers. I'm not really interested in what the other QBs are doing, that wasn't the discussion. But, I will bite and say I do agree with you for the most part. I think Caleb is a bust, but that's not like a big secret to anyone but Bears fans. I think JJ had this hype built around him all season while injured and now I'm not sure he can meet the huge expectations put on him. And Goff is Goff. He's a solid QB with the personality of a dead moth.

[erock28]

Originally Posted by Ninotores

Yes, I know nothing about football because I think Love is the epitome of mid. I love how some of you put words in people's mouths because you get all hot and bothered by an opinion a stranger on the internet has. I'll wait, show me where I said Willis was a bigger threat? I said I feel Willis has a stronger arm and an ability to run as well as throw. BUT, as you ignored so you could wring your panties out on me, I also said his accuracy needs work.

Willis has a stronger arm, he was throwing darts when he started last year. Love lobs his balls. He does not have the same arm strength, thus noodle arm. Willis is also a double threat with the ability to run the ball as well as throw it. Love hardly ran at all last season, but I think he was still more injured than he led on. How many games did the Packers lose with Willis starting? I believe the Packers were losing and looked horrible against the Jaguars until Willis went in and the teams dynamic completely changed, and they won the game. Mind you, the games Willis played were not pretty but they got it done.

The jury is out on Love. He was not the same last year. Chalk it up to being injured, losing confidence or just showing his true colors. It didn't help his receivers led the league in dropped balls. There's a lot of question marks going into the season.

Not sure why you ranted about other QBs in the division. I was specifically talking about the Packers. I'm not really interested in what the other QBs are doing, that wasn't the discussion. But, I will bite and say I do agree with you for the most part. I think Caleb is a bust, but that's not like a big secret to anyone but Bears fans. I think JJ had this hype built around him all season while injured and now I'm not sure he can meet the huge expectations put on him. And Goff is Goff. He's a solid QB with the personality of a dead moth.

While I wholeheartedly disagree with you on Loves arm strength, the bolded is 100% spot on. Being a Packer backer, I'd like to chalk it up to sophomore regression, which is common in QBs, rather than him being a middling QB at best. The third year tends to be the real gauge of a QB and where the true colors start to shine through. The receivers did him no favors last year - you mentioned the drops, but I'll add Watson and Wicks regressed and Reed stagnated. Doubs and Kraft were really the only receiving weapons who showed growth. I'm hopeful Golden is the difference maker draft pundits suggest, Williams adds the bigger body situational guy they've lacked for years, and Doubs and Musgrave are past the injury issues. If the pass catching group both improves and lives up to expectations, Love will have no excuses in year 3.

[Ninotores]

Originally Posted by erock28

While I wholeheartedly disagree with you on Loves arm strength, the bolded is 100% spot on. Being a Packer backer, I'd like to chalk it up to sophomore regression, which is common in QBs, rather than him being a middling QB at best. The third year tends to be the real gauge of a QB and where the true colors start to shine through. The receivers did him no favors last year - you mentioned the drops, but I'll add Watson and Wicks regressed and Reed stagnated. Doubs and Kraft were really the only receiving weapons who showed growth. I'm hopeful Golden is the difference maker draft pundits suggest, Williams adds the bigger body situational guy they've lacked for years, and Doubs and Musgrave are past the injury issues. If the pass catching group both improves and lives up to expectations, Love will have no excuses in year 3.

And that's fine. I don't expect everyone to agree. It's the "you don't know football" comments for having a differing opinion. Maybe Love will light it up this year. I've been a Packer fan for over a decade. I watch the team. I'm not just making statements off a few half time clips and nfl network results shows. Watson was rough. One game he helps us beat the Bears with a great catch, the next game he drops balls hitting him in the chest. I always closed my eyes when the ball went to him. The injury prone part of him doesn't help, but that's not something he can really avoid if his body just can't go that way. But he can learn how to catch. I don't know what was up with Reed, they just seemed happy using him in these annoying run packages and never as a receiver. Wicks probably fell off the most. A shame too. Then there's our defense that year in and year out is always the biggest ?

Said it before. North will be weird this year. Don't think it will be nearly as strong as last year.