It can be easy to be laser-focused on one team in free agency. While many Minnesota Vikings fans are hanging on every nugget of free agency regarding the purple and gold, 31 other teams are out there working to improve their rosters.
The NFC North is full of teams in transition. Last year, the Detroit Lions took a big step and won the division. The Green Bay Packers are loaded up on young talent and look like a threat. And even the Chicago Bears are improving their roster to be more competitive.
Vikings fans should take notice of some of the transactions made by their division rivals in free agency this offseason since some of the new faces could be major contributors who make a big impact in head-to-head games against Minnesota.
3 new NFC North arrivals that should concern Minnesota Vikings fans
Since the Minnesota Vikings will have six games scheduled against their division opponents in 2024, here is one new arrival for each of the teams that fans should be keeping an eye on during the upcoming season.
Chicago Bears: D'Andre Swift, RB
The Bear wasted absolutely no time in free agency in going after a starting running back. They landed D'Andre Swift on a 3-year, $24.5 million deal that will see him join Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson in Chicago's backfield.
Swift isn't a stranger to the NFC North. He spent his first three seasons with the Lions before having a Pro Bowl year with the Philadelphia Eagles last year. Averaging 4.6 yards per carry and catching 195 passes in his four years, Swift is a dual-threat running back that will need to be taken seriously.
Detroit Lions: Kevin Zeitler, G
The Lions lost starting guard Jonah Jackson to the Los Angeles Rams in free agency but did a great job finding a replacement. Detroit should be able to plug Kevin Zeitler into that spot and see very little to no drop off.
With 181 starts in his 12 years as a pro, Zeitler signed a one-year deal with the Lions this offseason. His experience should help to keep Jared Goff protected while opening holes in the run game for Detroit.
Green Bay Packers: Josh Jacobs, RB
Although the Minnesota Vikings signed Aaron Jones when he was released by the Packers, Green Bay grabbed his replacement in former Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs in free agency this offseason.
Jacobs led the NFL in rushing yards in 2022 and has scored 46 rushing touchdowns in five seasons. He's not as much of a receiving threat as Jones was, but expect to see the new Packers running back powering through defenders in Green Bay.