The next big move for each team in NFC North

The NFL Draft and free-agent hoopla are in the rearview mirror, but there's still plenty of time for teams to add to their rosters. Here's a look at one move each team in the NFC North should make ahead of training camp.   

Minnesota Vikings

Extend DE Danielle Hunter: After trading three-time Pro Bowler Za'Darius Smith to the Cleveland Browns, locking up Hunter long term should be at the top of the Vikings' offseason list. Fresh off earning his third career Pro Bowl nod in 2022, Hunter has only one season remaining on a five-year, $72 million contract signed in 2018. 

Hunter missed the entire 2020 season with a neck injury and had his 2021 season cut short due to a torn pec. However, he returned no worse for wear in 2022, recording 65 tackles and 10.5 sacks in 17 regular-season games. 

If the Vikings fail to extend Hunter, they risk leaving the cupboard bare on the edges. Beyond Hunter, the Vikings head into the 2023 season with returnees Patrick Jones II and D.J. Wonnum on the weak side. They combined for 33 tackles and eight sacks in 2022. 

Detroit Lions

Add a wide receiver: Despite the emergence of Amon-Ra St. Brown, the Lions remain thin at wideout. The Lions brought back a familiar face in Marvin Jones but were largely silent on the free-agent market while also deciding to pass on selecting a receiver high in this year's NFL Draft. Suspended breakout candidate Jameson Williams will miss the season's first six weeks, and the returning Kalif Raymond and Josh Reynolds may not offer the Lions enough depth at the position. 

Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports recently suggested a reunion with free agent Kenny Golladay, who fell hard with the New York Giants after leaving Detroit in 2021. However, he has shown Pro Bowl ability in a Detroit uniform and would probably come relatively cheap. 

Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report recently linked the Lions to Denver Broncos wideout and former Pro Bowler Courtland Sutton. The Broncos recently picked up the fifth-year option ($12.9 million) on fellow wideout Jerry Jeudy, which could make Sutton the odd man out as he enters the final guaranteed season of a four-year, $60 million deal.

Green Bay Packers

Add a safety: The Packers have plenty of options at safety, but few fall in the tier of no-doubt starter. If the season started today, the Packers would be looking at a starting pair of Darnell Savage Jr. and Jonathan Ford. Savage briefly lost his job at safety last season, and Ford has played most of his career on special teams. 

The Packers could bring back veteran Adrian Amos, who recorded 102 tackles in 2022 despite losing a  step. Former Cleveland Brown John Johnson III is also a decent option. He finished with 101 tackles and two forced fumbles in 17 starts last season.

Recent comments from defensive coordinator Joe Barry indicate that the Packers are comfortable letting the competition play out with what they have. Still, things could change quickly if the group fails to impress during OTAs. 

Chicago Bears 

Add a defensive end: The Bears finished with an NFL-low 20 sacks in 2022 due mainly to an unproductive group of defensive ends. DeMarcus Walker led the Bears with seven sacks in 2022, but barring a big jump from Trevis Gipson and others, D-end will be a weak point if not addressed. The Bears and general manager Ryan Poles have $32.5 million in cap space to play with, so seeing an upgrade at DE before training camp wouldn't be surprising. 

The Bears could choose the trade route to upgrade at DE. Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Chicago recently implied the Bears could find a partner in the New York Jets, who are flush at the position. Schrock believes the Bears could target Bryce Huff, who posted 36 QB pressures in minimal playing time last season.

Meanwhile, there are several credible options in free agency, including Yannick Ngakoue, Leonard Floyd, Justin Houston and Frank Clark.