Lions Have Significant QB Performers In Promising NFC North

The NFC North appeared to make significant progress this season, with the division that was once one of the worst in the NFL suddenly becoming one of the most promising.

As the 2024 offseason approaches the start of free agency and then the draft, the defending division champion Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers appear to be on the right track, whereas the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings have a lot of work to do if they want to compete for a playoff spot next season.

Being successful in the NFL requires considerably more than just having a good quarterback, but it is a great place to start. The Lions and Packers are clearly in good shape, with Jared Goff and Jordan Love leading their respective offenses.

Goff is a solid performer because he sees the field well, makes quick decisions, and passes with accuracy. He is not a great athlete, nor does he have the strongest arm, but he understands what opposing defenses are doing to slow down the Lions and diagnoses quick and efficient remedies.

Love outperformed expectations in his first season as the Packers’ starting quarterback. It’s far too early to predict if he’ll join Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers as a Green Bay great, but he showed quickness, arm strength, big-play ability, and leadership throughout the season. A handful of late-season victories propelled the Packers into the playoffs, and they performed admirably on the road against the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card game.

Few quarterbacks have ever performed so well in their first playoff game. The statistics in that game spoke for themselves, as Love completed 16 of 21 passes for 272 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions, but there was more. Love and the Green Bay offense attacked from the opening, and the quarterback’s confidence was sky-high.

The Packers gave the 49ers everything they could handle in the divisional playoffs, almost pulling off an upset before losing 24-21.

The Bears have the option of bringing back the athletic Justin Fields for a fourth season or selecting a future star with the first overall pick. Most experts expect them to go with the latter option and select USC’s Caleb Williams, but there is no assurance that such a move will ultimately boost the Bears’ quarterback standards. It did not go well for the Carolina Panthers last year when they selected Bryce Young with the first overall choice, and that error is sure to inflict additional pain in 2024 and beyond.