Bears QB Justin Fields Credit: Getty Images
All things considered, the NFC North feels wide open, given the departure of Aaron Rodgers to the Jets. As we focus on the quarterbacks in this division, it’s a healthy mix of youth and experience.
The only thing for sure is who is the fourth-best quarterback in this division. Everything else is up for debate. Here is the ranking of the four signal-callers entering this season.
NFC North QBs
4. Jordan Love
Jordan Love has the dubious task of following in the footsteps of a first-ballot Hall of Famer in Rodgers. He has waited his turn as the Green Bay Packers seem confident with him leading the way. Love’s placement here is not an indictment of his play. It’s the lack of experience under center.
The former Utah State star has played in 10 games with just one NFL start on his resume. However, he has a young receiving core led by Christian Watson to help him and the Packers’ offense this season.
3. Jared Goff
Without question, Jared Goff and his career resurgence with the Detroit Lions has got fans excited in the Motor City. Last season, Goff was the conductor of the Lions’ offense, who finished fifth in points per game (26.6 points). He threw for 4,438 yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
In this case, it was the fifth-most yards thrown in a season in franchise history as Matthew Stafford owns the other top four seasons. It’s important to note that Goff and Stafford were swapped back in 2021 in a trade between the Lions and Los Angeles Rams.
Now, Goff is looking to match the success of his sophomore season in Detroit in 2023.
2. Kirk Cousins
The final two quarterbacks are a coin flip as Kirk Cousins gets this spot. Cousins sometimes get lost in the shuffle of being one of the league’s better quarterbacks since joining the Minnesota Vikings.
He has finished four of his five seasons in Minnesota in the top 10 in passing yards and all five in touchdowns. What’s more, Cousins is already third in Vikings history in passing yards and touchdowns.
In addition, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Cousins vie for a 5,000-yard season as the Vikings cut Dalvin Cook this offseason.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell could increase the passing plays. Having the best wide receiver in the NFC North, Justin Jefferson, helps.
1. Justin Fields
As mentioned earlier, this was a coin toss, but Justin Fields got the nod because of the upside from last season. Fields improved from his rookie season in passing yards and touchdowns. He threw for 2,242 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 Interceptions in 15 starts in the 2022 season.
Also, the quarterback can make plays with his legs. He became just the third quarterback in NFL history with a 1,000-yard rushing season with 1,143 yards.
The Chicago Bears made a move to bolster the offense, trading for wide receiver D.J. Moore. Nonetheless, can Fields take that important step in Year Three to help a team in search of a franchise quarterback? There’s no doubt that Fields is the future of the NFC North.
