These days, a franchise might succeed or fail based on the free agent losses of its talented players. The following list of players who are departing their NFC North teams:
Chicago Bears
Key losses: WR Darnell Mooney
After Mooney had 81 catches, 1,055 yards, and four touchdowns in 2021, Chicago had high expectations for him; but, since then, he has only managed 71 catches for 907 yards.
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that Mooney turned down a $30 million, three-year contract extension before the previous campaign. The Falcons paid him $39 million, making Keenan Allen, who was just acquired, and D.J. Moore the team’s leading receivers.
Detroit Lions
Key losses: G Jonah Jackson, C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Jackson and quarterback Matthew Stafford will play together for the Rams after agreeing to a three-year, $51 million contract. In his four seasons with Detroit, the seasoned left guard started fifty-seven games, was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2021, and gave up eleven career sacks. Unless the team selects a superior player in the draft, Jackson’s slot will be filled by undrafted free agent Kayode Awosika in 2023.
Gardner-Johnson signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract with Detroit during the summer, although he only appeared in three games during the regular season due to a torn pectoral muscle he sustained in Week 2. Even so, Johnson finished those games with 17 tackles, 3 passes defensed, 1 interception, and 12 tackles and 1 interception in the postseason. In 2024, the 26-year-old safety agreed to a three-year contract extension to return to Philadelphia.
Green Bay Packers
Key losses: RB Aaron Jones, G Jon Runyan Jr., S Darnell Savage
Josh Jacobs was added by the team despite Jones being the third-leading rusher in Packers history. Two years prior, Jones was the league’s top rusher; however, in 2023, with 5.8 yards per carry, Jones topped all postseason running backs.
The seven-year veteran got a one-year, $7 million contract with rival Minnesota, while Jacobs signed a four-year, $48 million pact with the Packers.
According to stathead.com, Savage, who was selected by the team in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, is one of only eight safeties in the league with at least 55 tackles, five passes defensed, and one interception in each of the next two seasons. Jacksonville and the 26-year-old safety inked a three-year, $21.7 million contract.
Runyan Sr. is employed by the NFL as the Vice President of Policy and Rules Administration; Runyan Jr. will be visiting him there. After playing in four NFL seasons without missing a game, his son eventually split time with second-year guard Sean Rhyan as the season progressed.
Minnesota Vikings
Key losses: QB Kirk Cousins, DE Marcus Davenport, DE Danielle Hunter
When Cousins inked a four-year, $180 million contract with Atlanta, the NFL was surprised. The 35-year-old quarterback now gets to pass to Mooney in Atlanta instead of trying to surpass Fran Tarkenton as Minnesota’s all-time top passer.
Sam Darnold, who was recently acquired, should replace Cousins, but one of the best prospects in the draft may be available if the team has two first-round picks in 2024.
Davenport signed a one-year, $13 million contract to play for the Vikings in 2023, although he only appeared in four games. His two sacks and seven tackles should be easily replaced by the team.
Hunter’s replacement is a different story. With the Vikings, the former captain of the team and four-time Pro Bowler recorded 461 tackles, 87.5 sacks, and 11 forced fumbles. After a successful season with the Texans, Minnesota is hoping Jonathan Greenard can step in and cover the gap. Greenard and Minnesota agreed to a four-year, $76 million contract.
