The NFC North has had a solid free agency period overall. While the Green Bay Packers didn't solve many problems, the Detroit Lions fortified the trenches on both sides of the ball, and the Minnesota Vikings may have gotten a quarterback in Kyler Murray who's just good enough for the team to win with its stout defense.
No team had a better haul than the Chicago Bears, though.
And it may be a tremendous problem for the Lions' two matchups this coming season, and the race for the NFC North crown from a big-picture lens.
Bears' Defensive Additions Could Be a Lions Problem
Despite a first-place finish in last year's divisional race, the Bears' defense was far from perfect.
Chicago finished No. 29 in total defense (361.8 yards per game), No. 23 in scoring defense (24.4 PPG), No. 27 against the run (134.5 yards per game), and No. 29 against the pass ( 227.3 yards per game).
That's why the Bears ended up signing key players on all three levels.
That includes safety Coby Bryant, who will likely limit big plays downfield, Devin Bush, who is a capable run-stopping thumper with good coverage abilities in the middle, and nose tackle Neville Gallimore, an elite disruptor who holds his ground in 1- and 3-tech techniques and is coming off a career year in 2025 with 38 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Even though it's early, these additions move the needle significantly, on paper.
Having three guys who can come in and make plays in rooms where plays weren't being made before is massive, especially when they lost four games where they scored 21 points, and could result in a culture change for the Bears.
Being that the Lions' best win in 2025, a game that set unfair expectations for the rest of Detroit's season, was a 52-21 blowout over the Bears in Week 2, it's clear that Chicago isn't content with taking embarrassing beatdowns to NFC North rivals any longer. General manager Ryan Poles made that loud and clear in free agency.
Needless to say, it'll be interesting to see how the Lions' offensive additions handle the Bears' new defenders. Detroit GM Brad Holmes has added the likes of center Cade Mays and the versatile Juice Scruggs to the offensive line, while also adding playmakers like running back Isiah Pacheco, tight end Tyler Conklin, and wideout Greg Dortch.
New Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing will have his hands full with the Bears twice per season, to say the least. As if his job to avoid former OC John Morton's mistakes didn't bring enough pressure.
On both sides of the ball, the Bears look more prepared for the Lions after a strong March free agency period. Now, it's on Holmes & Co. to have a stronger draft and maintain momentum throughout the offseason, ensuring that the Lions remain in the NFC North race next season and beyond.