Football Whisperer's NFC North Preview

Detroit

The Talk: Has the roar been restored … or are the Lions just fun to watch?

The Whisper: The Lions are the most exciting team the league has seen since the days of The Greatest Show on Turf. They’re must-see, fast, disciplined, tough, box office …and their head coach is the straightest shooter you ever want to meet. But every team has a shelf life, and the time has come for Detroit to push past the novelty phase and move into the realm where championship football is played.

Last Word: It’s one thing to hunt. It’s another thing to be hunted.

Minnesota

The Talk: Was it Kyler or was it Arizona?

The Whisper: He’s a Texas high school legend, perhaps the greatest player that football-crazed state has ever produced. He won the Heisman and led OU to the national title game before being drafted by Arizona and that’s where it got rocky. Here’s the thing … it gets rocky for everyone not named Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona … but Kyler Murray never stopped being Kyler Murray. So, now that he’s paired with a top 3 receiving room and a head coach who also just so happens to be a renowned quarterback guru … can’t wait!

Last Word: A franchise can ruin a quarterback. This year, we’ll see a quarterback who survived a franchise.

Green Bay

The Talk: Well, that was fast, wasn’t it?

The Whisper: Following the trade for Micah, the Packers were the talk of all 32 NFL towns, the safest, the surest bet to make it to Santa Clara. A funny thing happened along the way. Parsons got hurt and all those shiny parts and pieces, some on defense, others on offense, that shined so intensely upon his arrival aren’t shining anymore. In fact, some of them are no longer with the team. Parsons himself might not be back until mid-season, putting a Packer future that looked so bright 12 months ago on hold.

Last Word: Even potential has an expiration date.

Chicago

The Talk: The Bears have Caleb, but does Caleb have enough?

The Whisper: Caleb Williams is a generational talent with a cannon for an arm, shifty wheels, and can-do literally oozing from every pore. Whether at home or away, “it” factor is the uniform he wears and last year he wore it better than any Bear quarterback in history … and it was misleading. Williams willed the Bears to wins last year, but this year, in a division where a fraction separates first place from fourth, his will alone won’t be enough.

Last Word: They make the phrase “next year” seem … real.