The offseason is in full swing with the NFL combine in Indianapolis this week and NFL free agency around the corner on March 9 (tampering at noon). Let’s take a look at the cap space for each NFC North team, potential cap cuts, pending free agents and free agent needs.
Chicago Bears
Chicago is 9.5 over the cap right now after their fluky NFC North title season despite only a 10 million cap hit for Caleb Williams. Montez Sweat, DJ Moore, Joe Thuney, Jaylon Johnson could be some restructure candidates to get them under the cap.
The Bears have some big free agents with safety Jaquan Brisker, veteran pick machine Kevin Byard, Nashon Wright, NT Andrew Billings and former starting LT Braxton Jones (replaced by Ozzie Trapilo who may miss most of the 2026 season) and CJ Gardner Johnson.
The Bears have needs on defense for a pass rusher opposite Sweat, secondary help if they lost both safeties and CB help over Wright and Stephenson. Plus Jaylon Johnson was injured most of 2026 and has a huge cap number. Left Tackle is a need with Trapilo hurt but doubtful for free agency. Bears are letting LB Tremaine Edmunds explore a trade as well.
Chicago took a step forward on offense (late in games and in running game) and forced a ton of turnovers but that is not sustainable every year. Chicago will need to fix their defense and not lose their best safeties if they want a chance to repeat the North crown.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers are 4.3 over the cap right now and don’t have a 1st round pick from the Parsons trade. Jordan Love, Aaron Banks, and Josh Jacobs are restructure candidates. Green Bay has some questions in free agency with pending free agents Rasheed Walker at LT, Sean Rhyan at RG, potential cut of Elgton Jenkins at LG/C and Romeo Doubs at WR, LB Quay Walker and OLB Kingsley Enagbare.
Green Bay needs secondary improvement at CB, maybe replace Walker and fix their offensive line especially if they lose three starters. Can Golden, Melton or Wicks replace Doubs?
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are 42 million over the cap with a rookie QB. Justin Jefferson, Jonathan Allen, Darrisaw, Greenard, Hargrave, Hockensen, O’ Neil and Byron Murphy are potential restructures. Hockensen or O Neil could be a cut or trade as well. The Vikings have serious work to do.
Harrison Smith, Eric Wilson, Jeff Okudah swing OT Justin Skule, Carson Wentz and slot man Jailon Nailor are free agents along with punter and long snapper and restricted FA Ivan Pace.
The Vikings need a ILB, real QB/backup QB, safety, CB, punter and long snapper. Work to do after firing their GM.
Detroit Lions
The Lions are 9.1 million over the cap. Jared Goff, Amon Ra St Brown, Penei Sewell or Alim McNeil could create a lot of cap space with restructures but Goff alone could give 40 million in space. Graham Glasgow is a potential cap cut as well or pay cut.
The Lions have a good number of pending free agents with DJ Reader, Roy Lopez, Al Quadin Muhammed, Amik Robertson, Alex Anzalone, Rock Ya Sin, Avonte Maddox, Marcus Davenport, backup QB Kyle Allen, ST LB Malcom Rodriguez but can clear the cap space. CB2 might have legal troubles in Terrion Arnold. Kerby Joseph has a chronic knee injury and Brian Branch is coming off an achilles tear. La Porta had a back injury end his season. They do get Levi Onwuzurike and DE Josh Paschal back from injury and contract tolls.
The Liosn need an EDGE opposite, possibly CB2 and nickel and depth, safety depth if Kerby and Branch can’t play, Will LB if Anzalone walks, NT with Reader and Lopez UFAs (but have Tyleik Williams and McNeil back), center (since Ragnow retired) and future left tackle (Decker back but probably just one more year). Detroit will have some changes but have the cap space and draft to do it to regain their rightful spot atop the North.