The Detroit Lions are set at quarterback for the upcoming season, as well as the rest of the NFC North. A division long known as a “black&blue” division, the North has a decent group of quarterbacks under center.
Ranking the quarterbacks of the NFC North should be easy for anyone to do; nevertheless, we here at Detroit Sports Nation have decided to do that heavy lifting for you. Here are the rankings of NFC North Qquarterbacks, from worst to first.
4 Chicago Bears starting quarterback Justin Fields
Justin Fields had a less than ideal rookie season. Joining a team that was already in the midst of an ugly end to the coaching tenure of Matt Nagy, Fields played in just 12 games, starting in ten of those. The stubborn Nagy felt the need to start veteran Andy Dalton as much as possible last season.
The ten interceptions aren’t the stat that stands out from Fields’ rookie campaign; instead, only throwing seven touchdowns seems to be a cause for concern heading into his second year. Fields must quickly learn his second offensive scheme for the Chicago Bears in his young career to make the division leap.
3 Detroit Lions starting quarterback Jared Goff
The Detroit Lions’ own top signal-caller lands at number three on the list of NFC North quarterback rankings. Jared Goff had a roller coaster of a first year in Detroit, with an abysmal start that slowly turned around after the offensive coaching changes.
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Goff had his best career completion percentage last season at 67.2% while throwing 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Like Fields, Goff needs to see his touchdown passing production go up this season. With the additions of DJ Chark, Jameson Williams, and an emerging Amon-Ra St. Brown, Goff has every opportunity to shine this season with the Detroit Lions.
2 Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins could easily be the number one quarterback in a few other divisions. However, in the NFC North, he is a steady number two. The Minnesota Vikings have high hopes and visions of a North title this season.
The offense is led by Cousins, with a solid set of skilled players led by Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook; on paper, this is the best offense in the North.
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Will this be the year Cousins finally wins the big games and puts the Vikings over the top? Only time will tell.
1 Green Bay Packers starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers
To be hated, you have to be good at something. Unfortunately for everyone not rooting for the Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers is very good at his job. The psychedelic back-to-back MVP winner will again trot out this season as king of the North. Rodgers finished his MVP season last year with 37 TDs and just four interceptions.
Even with the loss of superstar pass-catcher Davante Adams, Rodgers has the ability to elevate those around him, and we will likely see another star emerge in Green Bay at the receiver position this season. With all eyes on Allen Lazard, don’t forget about veteran Sammy Watkins or the highly touted rookie Christian Watson.
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Of course, things floundered during the playoffs when the San Francisco 49ers once again stole a playoff victory at Lambeau Field. With the depleted Wide Receiver unit this season, Rodgers will have to make chicken salad out of, well, you get the rest.
