The NFC North had a down season in 2013—the Green Bay Packers won the division with an 8-7-1 record, playing half of their games without Aaron Rodgers or even a resemblance of a defense. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears fell just short at 8-8, a record that could have been better had Jay Cutler not stayed healthy. The Detroit Lions crumbled in the second half of the season finishing third, while the Minnesota Vikings managed just five wins and what seemed like a new quarterback every week.
Nobody was happy in the NFC North, so it shouldn't be a surprise that everyone was looking to make dramatic improvements in the offseason. While the Vikings and Bears traditionally dive into the free agent pool, it was a group effort this year as all four teams made big free agent signings.
Chicago Bears
After a dismal 2012 season from their offensive line, the Bears went out and invested in making upgrades all along the line including the signing of left tackle Jermon Bushrod. The offensive line improved this past season, leading to Matt Forte having a strong season and the Bears' offense taking a step forward.
Now after a 2013 season where their defensive line was mediocre on its best days, Chicago put on a full court press in free agency to make upgrades all across the defensive line. Jared Allen moved from Minnesota to Chicago and should provide a nice pass rush, and signed ex-Lions defensive end Willie Young to a three-year deal.
Their biggest signing came in the early days of free agency—Chicago signed Oakland Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston to a five-year deal, greatly improving their defensive line. While Houston's 16 career sacks in four seasons doesn't stand out, the raw tools he showed as a rookie have really come together and led to a career-high six sacks last season.
Houston is a major upgrade over Julius Peppers and will provide a consistent motor and outside threat to get after the quarterback. Pairing him with Allen and an improved interior defensive line bodes well for the Bears' playoff chances in 2014 as general manager Phil Emery is really showing off his desire to win.
Detroit Lions
For years the Lions have been in search of a number two wide receiver to complement Calvin Johnson. They've tried numerous times to find that player through the draft with players like Titus Young and Ryan Broyles but haven't had very much luck. While it's great to have the best wide receiver in the game, it makes our offense very predictable and one that can be shutdown by taking Johnson out of the play.
Now the Lions may have finally found their number two wide receiver, as Golden Tate signed with Detroit in March on a four-year deal. The 25-year-old is coming off a career season with the Seattle Seahawks, posting 64 receptions, 898 yards and five touchdowns last season in an offense that didn't love to throw the football. Now Tate has cashed in and lands in the perfect situation for his skillset.
While Johnson is busy drawing double coverage and physically crushing defensive backs, Tate will move around the field getting open on short routes across the middle or streaking down the field. All Matthew Stafford has to do is drop the ball right to Tate, and he can sit back as Tate does the rest with his outstanding agility and moves in the open field.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings were patient for the first few days in free agency, but had a plan to make sure new head coach Mike Zimmer had plenty of pieces to work with on defense. Zimmer was a defensive genius as the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator and Vikings general manager Rick Spielman wanted to make sure he could bring that same strong defense to Minnesota.
So when the Vikings saw the opportunity to upgrade their secondary and interior defensive line, they went right after it by signing cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and defensive tackle Linval Joseph. Both players are not only great talents and strong locker room guys but both are young as well (Joseph, 25 and Munnerlyn, 26).
Munnleryn can slide right into the slot on the same side as Xavier Rhodes to perform one of the best young cornerback duo's in football. Munnerlyn had a breakout season last year with 12 pass deflections and two pick-sixes, showing off his athleticism and quick reaction. In a division with guys like Tate and Randall Cobb, Munnleryn was a tremendous addition by the Vikings.
While very few New York Giants players drew positive attention last season, Joseph was one of the lone bright spots on the roster. He finished the year with three sacks and now has seven in the past two seasons, showing off his ability to create pressure inside and break through the middle of the field. He joins an improving defensive line that should take another step forward in 2014 with the help of their new head coach.
Green Bay Packers
Ted Thompson does not make many big moves in free agency—in fact in most cases, he actually lets more of his players walk than outside free agents he signs. Thompson is smart with his money and focuses more of his time on the draft as a means for filling needs and bringing in talent to develop.
The Packers surprised everyone though when they signed Peppers to a three-year deal, though Green Bay could get out of the deal after the first season. Chicago cut Peppers after a dismal 2013 season when his effort was lacking and his freakish athleticism was declining, but he still has some gas in the tank. Peppers will reunite with Mike Trgovac, who coached him during Peppers' days with the Carolina Panthers.
Peppers is in for a challenge this season, spending his first year in a 3-4 defense with plenty of snaps coming at outside linebacker. Packers' defensive coordinator Dom Capers plans to move him around the field from a three-point stance, standing up on the edge or even dropping back as a linebacker. It's certainly a risk for the Packers to put a 34-year-old linebacker in this position but it can work.
Green Bay knows Peppers is best used by managing his snaps, moving him around in the "elephant" role and swapping him in and out with other guys like Mike Neal and Nick Perry. Peppers can also provide another veteran presence in the locker room and mentor young players like Mike Daniels and Datone Jones. Green Bay couldn't afford to have another horrible season by the defense, so this was a step in the right direction in fixing it.