It doesn't get talked about nearly enough, but offensive line play can make or break a team's season.
The Green Bay Packers learned that the hard way for much of last year, as did the Detroit Lions, who faced a series of injuries after their front five had dominated in previous seasons.
There have been some notable changes made along the offensive lines in the NFC North, perhaps none bigger than Chicago Bears Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman's shock retirement. But where does each team stand ahead of the 2026 season?
Read our rankings of the top eight wide receivers in the NFC North here
All four NFC North offensive lines, ranked
4. Green Bay Packers
The days of Packers quarterbacks standing behind a wall of Pro Bowlers and All-Pros are over. There are no David Bakhtiaris or T.J. Langs or Josh Sittons or Corey Linsleys among the starting five.
Right tackle Zach Tom is the only true star along the Packers' offensive line, but he is coming off a partially torn patellar tendon. It kept him out of Green Bay's final four games last season.
The Packers moved on from Rasheed Walker in free agency, which opens the door for Jordan Morgan to start at left tackle. Can Morgan step up in his most comfortable position? Time will tell.
Green Bay decided to keep right guard Aaron Banks after a nightmarish first season. He was PFF's 64th-ranked guard last year. That's a gamble. The Packers made Sean Rhyan one of the highest-paid centers in football despite only making seven starts there. He was PFF's worst-ranked center in pass protection last season. That's also a gamble. They're also banking on improvements from Anthony Belton, a college tackle who plays at right guard for the Packers. Another roll of the dice.
Perhaps rookie Jager Burton, who has impressed the coaching staff this offseason, can force his way into the starting lineup. The Packers may need him to because there are serious questions along the offensive line.
3. Detroit Lions
The Lions are hoping for a bounce-back season along the offensive line after an injury-hit 2025. They struggled to replace All-Pro center Frank Ragnow, but that was just the start of their problems up front.
Unlike Green Bay, Detroit has invested heavily in its offensive line this offseason. First-round pick Blake Miller is the expected starter at right tackle, with All-Pro Penei Sewell switching sides to left tackle.
The Lions also signed veteran center Cade Mays. He is unlikely to fill the void left by Ragnow, but he should provide more stability than the team had last season.
This isn't the same offensive line that dominated two years ago with Ragnow, Taylor Decker, and Graham Glasgow, but the Lions' additions should improve their overall play.
2. Minnesota Vikings
It's hard to win without competent tackle play, but that's not a problem for the Minnesota Vikings. They have two rock-solid starters in Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill. Per Pro Football Focus, they collectively allowed just four sacks and 40 pressures last season. They did combine for 10 missed games, but their numbers were impressive nonetheless.
Rookie left guard Donovan Jackson also showed promise in pass protection. After allowing two sacks in the opening five games, he gave up none in the remaining nine. That's exactly what the Vikings hoped to see.
There are more questions at the interior positions than on the outside, but Will Fries is a capable starter, while Blake Brandel adds the versatility teams covet.
Minnesota's offensive line has the talent to give Kyler Murray the time he needs in the pocket, and we're well aware of his ability to extend plays.
1. Chicago Bears
Even after losing their Pro Bowl center, the Bears still have the best offensive line in the NFC North.
Garrett Bradbury is undeniably a downgrade from Drew Dalman at center (Packers fans will remember Kenny Clark dominating that matchup during his time in Green Bay), but he has two quality starters either side of him.
Three-time first-team All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney was a home-run addition last offseason, as was veteran right guard Jonah Jackson. They will make life far easier for Bradbury. And if that experiment fails, the Bears could turn to rookie center Logan Jones.
There are more questions at left tackle, with Braxton Jones in line to start for the injured Ozzy Trapilo, who could miss most (and potentially all) of the season after suffering a ruptured patellar tendon in the playoffs.
But at right tackle, the Bears boast another rising star in second-team All-Pro Darnell Wright.
Chicago's starting five is built to run-block, which is perfect for Ben Johnson's offense. Caleb Williams is one of the league's best at extending plays and escaping sacks, and the Bears win when they can bully opponents on the ground. The offensive line may take a slight step back without Dalman, but they remain the best in the NFC North by some distance.
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