Niner Noise
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NFL: Each team’s biggest concern heading into 2018

By Peter Panacy

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 30: Colin Jones #42 of the Carolina Panthers sacks Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints in the 1st half during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 30, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 30: Colin Jones #42 of the Carolina Panthers sacks Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints in the 1st half during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 30, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers scrambles during the game against the Minnesota Vikings on September 18, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers scrambles during the game against the Minnesota Vikings on September 18, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

NFC North

Chicago Bears — Mitchell Trubisky’s Maturation

Last year, then-rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky was asked to do quite a lot with one of the worst receiving corps in the NFL. So it’s no surprise his first season at the pro level wasn’t particularly good.

There won’t be excuses now for the 2017 second-overall pick. Chicago brought in a fresh offensive-minded head coach, Matt Nagy, and supplemented Trubisky’s receiving corps with wideouts Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel, as well as tight end Trey Burton.

Now, the pressure is on Trubisky to deliver accordingly.

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Detroit Lions — Running Back

After years of hoping Ameer Abdullah could emerge as a top-tier NFL running back, the Lions have finally decided to turn the page after taking former Auburn tailback Kerryon Johnson in Round 2 of the draft.

Johnson will likely split duties with Abdullah early, although it’s clear where the future resides.

Detroit better hope the plan works too, as the team has been putting way too much pressure on quarterback Matthew Stafford and the passing game for far too long.

Green Bay Packers — Keeping Aaron Rodgers Upright

Simply put, the Packers are a perennial playoff contender if quarterback Aaron Rodgers is on the field. If he isn’t, as was the case for nine games last season, they’re an average team at best.

Green Bay was 3-6 with backup QB Brett Hundley starting last season. None of the Packers’ other offseason moves changes this concern.

Minnesota Vikings — Building off the 2017 Season

The Vikings and their No. 1 ranked defense in the NFL were big surprises a year ago. And after bringing aboard Kirk Cousins in free agency, they’re expected to be even better than the team that rode last year’s momentum all the way to the NFC Championship game.

Minnesota won’t surprise anyone this time around. Teams across the conference will eyeball head coach Mike Zimmer’s squad, and it’s going to be up to him to inspire the team to pick up where it left off.

That’s not always an easy task, as replicating strong defensive efforts from one year to the next is rare in today’s NFL.