There’s new blood in the NFC North heading into the 2022 season.
Two teams, the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears, have hired new head coaches and general managers. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers will enter another year with their brass intact.
This turnover will create an interesting dynamic within the division. With certain personnel moves pending, namely the future of Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the power could change hands.
However, it appears as though the head coaching search is over within the division.
Here is SI All Lions’ ranking of the four head coaches in the NFC North division.
4.) Matt Eberflus – Chicago Bears
The Bears are bringing in a defensive-minded head coach to lead their team into the future. It didn’t work out with Matt Nagy, who was fired after four seasons. After dealing with the former head coach and his offensive mind, the Bears appear to have shifted their mindset.
Eberflus’ time as leader of the Bears will likely depend on the performance of young signal-caller Justin Fields. Drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Fields was up and down as a rookie.
Now, it’s the responsibility of Eberflus to help Fields reach his potential. It’ll be a tough task for the first-time head coach.
3.) Kevin O’Connell – Minnesota Vikings
Fresh off piloting the Los Angeles Rams to a Super Bowl title, O’Connell will take the reins for the Vikings looking to get them back to the playoffs. He inherits an interesting quarterback situation, with Kirk Cousins having fallen out of favor.
He was able to make magic happen with the Rams’ offense and is taking over a Vikings team with plenty of star power at the skill positions. However, the fate of the offense will be decided by the person under center, whether it is Cousins or someone else.
Making the right move at quarterback could boost O’Connell’s stock right away. However, time will tell if he’s the right fit in the Twin Cities.
Recommended Lions Articles
Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports
2.) Dan Campbell – Detroit Lions
In Campbell’s first year as Lions head coach, he inherited a roster that had been run into the ground. He struggled, going 3-13-1 in his inaugural year at the helm. However, the future may be bright in Detroit, depending on what happens in the offseason and the NFL Draft.
It took over offensive play-calling duties midway through the season, and showed growth as the season progressed. How he evolves in that area in 2022 will likely determine his fate.
Campbell has one characteristic that sets him apart — his ability to motivate. It’s clear that the players in the Lions’ locker room would run through a wall for their head coach. When things are tough, like they were in 2021, that’s a good trait to have.
The first-time head coach gets a pass for his first year, but that will change going forward. His margin for error will become much less, as he will no longer be excused for late-game coaching decisions.
1.) Matt LaFleur – Green Bay Packers
The wins don’t lie, and three straight 13-win seasons tell the story for LaFleur in his time with the Packers. However, he’s been fortunate enough to have one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Rodgers.
After an upset loss in the divisional round of the 2021 playoffs, the Packers are at a tipping point. Rodgers has made his frustrations with the organization public, and may have played his final game in a Green Bay uniform. If he is, in fact, dealt or decides to retire, LaFleur will have some work to do.
The Mount Pleasant native is the top coach in the NFC North, but has some work to do to join the top-tier coaches in the league.
For one, he has yet to get to a Super Bowl with Rodgers under center, and the struggles on special teams in the divisional round loss to San Francisco exposed a glaring weakness in the Packers.
This offseason will test LaFleur’s team, as Rodgers and star receiver Davante Adams may be on the move.
The Packers have been blessed with special talent during LaFleur’s tenure, but there’s a possibility he will be starting over in 2022.
†
