Bears

Biggest question: Will Justin Fields have enough around him to make a significant jump from year one to year two? I wrote about this back in April and as Bears fans do, they got angry and told me I was some sort of idiot. I just want to clarify, I love Justin Fields, I think his highlights from last year stand up, but the trick is finding consistency in the NFL. It is tough to be a consistent passer if you have a weak offensive line (the Bears are now shopping Teven Jenkins) and limited wideouts to throw to. I love Darnell Mooney, he’s going to have a big year, but you need other pieces as well. Is N’keale Harry going to cut it? I just don’t know the answer to that question. Byron Pringle is more of a four not a two at wideout, and Velus Jones Jr. is a rookie question mark. Not to mention one of the worst offensive lines in the league last year failed to address its issues in any meaningful way. Bears fans, day three draft picks are not going to slide in at OL and make a difference. It is obvious the team is not trying, the tank is on in the windy city, I just hope Justin Fields gets preserved. He deserves a shot with a franchise that is actually willing to invest in him.

Lions

Biggest question: Can D’Andre Swift stay healthy? Swift has shown his prowess as one of the most intriguing running backs in the league but injuries are a real issue for him. If he can stay healthy this year, behind what on paper looks like a dominant offensive line, you would imagine he will be able to put up some massive numbers this year and potentially carry a Lions offense that has a ceiling of squarely in the middle of the pack. That by the way, is awesome considering where the team was a year ago. Swift can have a huge impact on the team and become a superstar this year if he wants to, the question just remains whether he will remain healthy or not.

Packers

Biggest question: The wide receiving group. If you lose Devante Adams, there will be questions. I like Allen Lazard, can he step into the number one role though? People are high on Christian Watson, but he’s a day two draft prospect in his rookie year, will he make a difference? Amari Rodgers basically did not exist in this offense last year, will he be able to make more of an impact in 2022? All three of these players in my mind have high upside but we have no evidence to point to the fact that they will achieve that, outside of Lazard. Other than that, not a ton of questions, this might be the best defense in the NFC and the QB is Aaron Rodgers, the Packers are still very much a contender.

Vikings

Biggest question: Are the Vikings stuck? Let me explain. I look at this roster and honestly, I think, wow, what a great roster. A dominant X receiver in Justin Jefferson, good supporting threats in Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn. They have a pretty good offensive line that has gotten better with time and looks like a serviceable group. You have the makings of a ferocious pass rush duo in Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith a pretty good young secondary and what seems to be a good new head coach coming in. So why isn’t this team considered a Super Bowl contender? Well the answer is simple, Kirk Cousins is the QB and that brings me back to my question, are the Vikings stuck? Because if Kirk Cousins cannot take this roster to the playoffs and get at least to the divisional round, he is probably not taking you anywhere else. This feels like it has to be the last year of the Cousin’s experiment with a new coach and GM. If Kevin O’Connell, a McVay disciple, can’t elevate Kirk Cousins to being a QB that is competing deep into January, then it’s probably time for GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to move on from Kirk as the starter long term. You can’t just keep rolling him out there forever.