2026 NFC North season preview: Prediction, record, rosters, strengths and weaknesses

The Post’s Jared Schwartz previews the NFC North.Head coach: Ben Johnson2025 record: 11-6O/U wins: 9.5Key additions: Garrett Bradbury, a steady veteran, will be the new starting center, having signed a one-year deal to replace Drew Dalman.Dillon Thieneman, a first-round pick (No.

25), has big shoes to fill to replace Kevin Byard, the team’s star safety the past two years.Inside linebacker Devin Bush is on his fourth team, having signed a three-year, $30 million deal to provide a proven presence in the middle of the defense.Key departures: S Kevin Byard, WR DJ Moore, S Jaquan Brisker, DT Gervon Dexter Sr.First-and-goal: Caleb Williams provided plenty of evidence last year that he can be the franchise quarterback.

Head coach Ben Johnson brought the best out of him, and that pairing has the potential to establish the Bears as true contenders.Most of the offense around Williams is back, and they’ve replaced their departures on defense with new talent.Fourth-and-long: The secondary lost a lot of stability, and that was before free agent signing CB Coby Bryant got injured for the long term.

With a young quarterback, there is always the potential that with more film, the rest of the league can slow him down.And the NFC North remains a brutal division.12-5.

Williams is legitimate, paired with an elite head coach.They’re just getting started.Head coach: Dan Campbell2025 record: 9-8O/U wins: 10.5Key additions: Cade Mays was to be a plug-and-play starter at center, though he will miss much of the beginning of the season after fracturing his wrist.

The 17th overall pick, Blake Miller, will step right in as the new starting right tackle.After the offense struggled last year without Ben Johnson, new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing looks to bring it back to its old form after serving in the same role with the Cardinals.Key departures: RB David Montgomery, WR DJ Montgomery, LB Alex Anzalone, OL Taylor DeckerFirst-and-goal: They’ve gone all in on RB Jahmyr Gibbs a...