Ranking every NFC North offense in 2024: Packers have star potential

Offense is the name of the game in the NFC North.

The Green Bay Packers have a pass-first philosophy. It was that way with Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, and now the same is true with Jordan Love. Their offensive line specializes in pass protection, and they regularly build deep wide receiver rooms.

While the Chicago Bears love to talk about defense, they just used the No. 9 pick on a wide receiver, having already traded for DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. Chicago will win with offense.

The NFC North is home to many of the league's best receivers and will soon have two of the highest-paid quarterbacks.

But here's the ultimate question: Which NFC North team has the best offense in 2024?

Every NFC North offense in 2024, ranked

4. Minnesota Vikings

With Aaron Jones joining an offense featuring Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Addison, the Vikings have a lot of talent. If J.J. McCarthy or Sam Darnold can provide solid quarterback play, Minnesota will move the ball. If McCarthy can reach a higher level than that, look out.

There are enough concerns to place them fourth in the NFC North. Jones missed six games last season due to a hamstring injury, and the Vikings lack quality depth behind him.

Minnesota's offensive line is solid, especially with tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill. There are concerns at the interior positions, although bringing back Dalton Risner was a smart move.

The Vikings have potential offensively, but there are question marks at quarterback and with their running back depth.

3. Chicago Bears

Chicago's offense has almost unlimited upside. If Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze reach their potential, there could be no stopping this group. But until they play an NFL down, it's only potential.

Williams could be the franchise quarterback the Bears have spent years searching for, while Odunze has Pro Bowl potential as his future WR1. Add in DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, and the Bears have a receiving corps that could soon become the league's best. They have talent at tight end, too, with Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett.

At running back, the Bears have good depth following the signing of D'Andre Swift, but they lack a superstar who can lead the way.

The offensive line should take a step forward in 2024. Braxton Jones is a solid starter, while Darnell Wright put together an impressive rookie year and will continue to improve. There are more concerns at the interior positions, but Chicago's offensive line has enough talent to protect Williams.

2. Green Bay Packers

The Packers have a young and exciting offense entering 2024. They showed sky-high potential last year. Now, they must do it consistently.

Jordan Love threw 18 touchdowns to one interception in the final eight games, but he must prove he can sustain that level consistently. Love had 10 interceptions in the opening nine contests. He destroyed the Dallas Cowboys' defense in the wild-card round, but a head-scratching interception on a throw across his body ended Green Bay's season.

Love's continued development is crucial alongside the receiving corps. The Packers have all the potential in the world with Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Luke Musgrave, and Tucker Kraft. This group must take a step forward after a promising rookie season.

Along with a deep running back room featuring Josh Jacobs and third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd to go with a top-five offensive line, the Packers have no shortage of talent on offense. They must now find the consistency.

1. Detroit Lions

Detroit's offense was close to unstoppable throughout 2023, and it is running it back this season. Behind arguably the league's best offensive line, Jared Goff threw for 4,575 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, enough to make him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in history.

Goff is in the perfect situation. He has an outstanding play-caller in Ben Johnson, who returns this year after surprisingly not taking a head coach job.

A running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery is as good as any, and defenses had no answer for Amon-Ra St. Brown at wide receiver and Sam LaPorta at tight end. The Lions ranked third in total offense and fifth in scoring offense last season.

The Lions built on a strength by signing guard Kevin Zeitler. Following Jason Kelce's departure in Philadelphia, Detroit may now have the best offensive line in the NFL.

The concern? Receiving depth. The Lions could be in trouble if they lose St. Brown or LaPorta to injury. The offensive line and scheme help, but they don't want to be relying on Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, and Donovan Peoples-Jones as the top targets in the passing game.

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