The key lo s for a team is not always an obvious player.In the case of the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers, it might be a coach.The Bears had more overall lo ses and additions than anyone in the NFC North, but a few lo ses stood out more, like Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks.A big producer isn't always the key lo s when he leaves, especially when they've stop being a producer before they actually depart. Allen Robinson struggled all 2021 with the Bears, and his lo s was felt last year.And sometimes it's not a big name at all who is mi sed, but a player who has come on strong in his final year and played a vital role on special teams,
Paul Molitor Jersey like Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin. He has since moved on to Houston after his best season with Detroit.Here are the top additions and lo ses by NFC North teams in 2022 as chosen by a round table of writers from the FanNation websites covering the Bears, Packers, Lions and Vikings.Key Addition/Lo sChicago BearsS Jaquan Brisker and LB Khalil Mack Addition: Brisker, the second-round pick from Penn State, arrived at rookie camp making plays on the ball and didn't stop until OTAs and mandatory minicamp ended. Brisker is a player capable of takeaways, a wild card of sorts, and he'll be playing in a role and scheme designed to create them.Even if Brisker is merely adequate as a rookie, he provides a dynamic the Bears haven't had since Adrian Amos left in free agencya young, explosive safety who actually enjoys coming down near the line to deliver punishment but with speed and instincts to go back in coverage. This finally returns Eddie Jackson to a role he had in 2018 when he made six interceptions. Jackson will be a center fielder.Lo s: Gauging the lo s of Mack will be difficult because the scheme changed to a 4-3 from a 3-4, but his absence will be felt in so many areas.After his season ended in the seventh game, Robert Quinn went on to a franchise-record 18 1/2 sacks and Trevis Gipson had seven sacks, anyway, so it would appear they got beyond the lo s of a sack producer. But Mack's absence could be felt last year in
Travis Shaw Jersey lack of consistency with the pa s rush and in how they lost his run-stopping ability. They finished 23rd against the run, their worst ranking since 2016. Even though their 49 sacks were fourth most in the NFL, they ranked 23rd (23.1%) at pre suring the pa ser. This, according to NFL stat partner Sportradar. Mack makes so many run stops off the back side that teams almost need to a sign an extra blocker there. This totally defeats the purpose of their blocking scheme.The Bears also lack Mack's leadership now, and although he is normally a rather laid-back guy off the field he plays with intensity. This group needs to come up with more players who step up at big moments.Detroit LionsWR DJ Chark andLB Jalen Reeves-MaybinAddition:The Lions offense
Milwaukee Brewers Jersey struggled drastically to begin the year in 2021. Quarterback Jared Goff was new to town and simply did not have enough offensive firepower to get anything done. Breshad Perriman flamed out before the season ever began. Tyrell Williams went down early in the season opener with a head injury and never returned to the lineup.So, the free agents who were expected to come in and help did absolutely nothing in Detroit. The addition of Chark in free agency on a prove-it deal gives Detroit another big target for Goff to throw to. After mi sing a significant portion of 2021 dealing with an ankle injury, Chark is poised to return and contribute almost immediately. Goff certainly has more weapons to target this season, which should improve his confidence and performance this season. Lo s:The Lions took a lot of heat from supporters for signing many of their own free agents after only winning three games last season. General manager Brad Holmes is seeking a certain type of player and the majority of contracts that have been handed out have been for only one season.One of the players who departed was Reeves-Maybin, who parlayed his succe s in Detroit into a new two-year contract with $7.5 million with the Houston Texans. The coaching staff often spoke positively during his tenure and he was making plays at the linebacker position. It was tough to lose a solid special teams contributor, but Detroit has young linebackers waiting to take the next step
Eric Thames Jersey forward in their career, including Derrick Barnes and rookie Malcolm Rodriguez. Green Bay PackersFour Wide Receivers andOC Nathaniel HackettAddition:No one person can replace an All-Pro like Davante Adams. Over the past six seasons, Adams led all NFL receivers in receptions, yards and touchdowns. With several years of dominating play, Adams had put himself on a Hall of Fame trajectory.Rather than putting all his eggs in one basket, general manager Brian Gutekunst responded by signing veteran Sammy Watkins and drafting Christian Watson (second round), Romeo Doubs (fourth round) and Samori Toure (seventh round). Thats four tries in hopes of finding the teams next star receiver.The Packers packaged their two second-round picks in a trade with Minnesota to move up to No. 34 to get Watson, the former North Dakota State star with a ridiculous combination of size and speed. One of the dumb national narratives is how the Packers havent given Aaron Rodgers a first-round receiver. Thats true, but the Packers have made a killing with second-round receivers Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson,
Matt Garza Jersey Randall Cobb and Adams. The Packers hopeno, the Packers needWatson to be the next in line.Lo s: The easy (and correct) answer for the biggest lo s is Adams. But thats too obvious. So, lets deviate a bit and go with Nathaniel Hackett. The teams offensive coordinator the past three seasons, he is the new head coach of the Denver Broncos.More than Xs and Os, Hackett was brimming with creativity, energy and a fun-loving spirit that took the drudgery out of meetings. Hackett turned the red zone into the gold zone because Goldmember of Austin Powers fame loved gold and the Packers loved touchdowns. Weird? Maybe, but it was stuff like that that kept things fresh and fun.Coach Matt LaFleur filled the void by promoting Adam Stenavich from offensive line coach. Will the offense be as creative with Stenavich? And will Stenavichs replacement, Luke Butkus, have the same Midas touch on an offensive line?Minnesota VikingsCoach Kevin O'Connell and Coach Mike ZimmerAddition:There are so many to choose from here, from a new GM and coaching staff to players like Za'Darius Smith and Lewis Cine. Ultimately, the choice has to be O'Connell. The Vikings fired Mike Zimmer in January after eight mostly succe sful seasons and replaced him with O'Connell, who is coming off a Super Bowl win as Sean McVay's right-hand man an