The first wave of free agency is in the books, and it was a pretty busy week for the four teams in the NFC North.
Here's a look at how rosters have changed throughout the division through the first wave of free agency:
DETROIT
2024 record: 15-2 (division champs)
Top re-signings: LB Derrick Barnes, DT Levi Onwuzurike, DE Marcus Davenport, WR Tim Patrick, LB Anthony Pittman, LB Ezekiel Turner, DL Myles Adams
Key free-agent additions: CB D.J. Reed, DT Roy Lopez, LB Grant Stuard
Free-agent losses: CB Carlton Davis III, G Kevin Zeitler, S Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB Kindle Vildor
Twentyman's take: Getting Reed was a really savvy move by GM Brad Holmes after losing Davis in free agency to the Patriots. With Reed, Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the fold, the cornerback spot looks solid in Detroit.
Re-signing Patrick as the No. 3 was a great get. He fit in perfect in Detroit last year and really solidifies that receiving corps.
Holmes is in a little different spot than the rest of the teams in the North in that he's drafted so unbelievably well over the last few years, the priority now becomes re-signing the core pieces to the roster that are homegrown. It's a good problem to have, but it can be an expensive one too, and one that will limit the amount of money spent on outside free agents.
The team has already re-signed Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jared Goff and Alim McNeill to large extensions. Aidan Hutchinson and Kerby Joseph are up for extensions this year, and Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch are entering the third year of their four-year rookie contracts.
Draft, develop and re-sign. That's Holmes' preferred method of roster building, and because Detroit has done the draft and develop part so well, the expensive part of re-signing their own is now a big part of the equation and the priority.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Lions look to add a veteran guard to compete with Graham Glasgow and Christian Mahogany in the coming weeks.
Go behind the scenes with the Detroit Lions during 2025 free agency.
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) and Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed celebrates after he signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed with his wife as signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed celebrates after he signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed celebrates after he signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell meets with Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed and his wife meet with Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Marcus Davenport (92) signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Anthony Pittman (41) signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (53) signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Principal Owner and Chair Sheila Hamp meets with Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell meets with Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard meets with Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard with Detroit Lions Equipment Manager Tim O'Neill during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard with his family as he signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard with his family as he signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Roy Lopez during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Roy Lopez meets with Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions run game coordinator/defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers meets with Detroit Lions defensive lineman Roy Lopez during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Roy Lopez signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 13, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Marcus Davenport (92) during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) signing his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes poses for a photo with Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during his contract signing the Meijer Performance Center on March 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) with his family as he signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during his visit at the Meijer Performance Center on March 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) with his son as he signs his contract at the Meijer Performance Center on March 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) visits Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during his press conference at the Meijer Performance Center on March 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
MINNESOTA
2024 record: 14-3
Top re-signings: CB Byron Murphy Jr., RB Aaron Jones, S Harrison Smith, S Theo Jackson, P Ryan Wright
Key free-agent additions: DT Jonathan Allen, DT Javon Hargrave, G Will Fries, C Ryan Kelly, CB Isaiah Rodgers, DB Tavierre Thomas, OL Justin Skule
Free-agent losses: QB Sam Darnold, QB Daniel Jones, DE Patrick Jones II, S Camryn Bynum, Ed Ingram (trade)
Twentyman's take: It appears the J.J. McCarthy era could begin at quarterback after Darnold and Jones left in free agency. Can McCarthy recreate Darnold's success in Kevin O'Connell's system last year? That will be the No. 1 determining factor in Minnesota's success in 2025. There have been rumors of the Vikings still looking to add a veteran quarterback to push McCarthy. Will that come to fruition in the coming weeks?
The Vikings did a nice job filling some gaps on the roster in free agency with veterans to bolster their offensive and defensive lines and that's always a good strategy in free agency.
GREEN BAY
2024 record: 11-6
Top re-signings: K Brandon McManus, LB Isaiah McDuffie
Key free-agent additions: G Aaron Banks (reportedly), CB Nate Hobbs
Free-agent losses: RB A.J. Dillon, DT T.J. Slaton, CB Eric Stokes, C Josh Myers
Twentyman's take: The Packers spent big on Banks and Hobbs and that filled two of their biggest holes entering free agency. Green Bay could still use some help along their defensive line and at receiver, which could come in the second wave of free agency in the coming weeks.
"I'm sure there are opportunities there," Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said when asked about this year's free-agent market at the NFL Scouting Combine last month. "Every free agency class is a little bit different. This one doesn't seem to be probably as strong as some, but we'll kind of see how it goes."
CHICAGO
2024 record: 5-12
Top re-signings: DB Tarvarius Moore, LB Amen Ogbongbemiga, DB Josh Blackwell, DT Chris Williams
Key free-agent additions: C Drew Dalman, DE Dayo Odeyingbo, DT Grady Jarrett, G Joe Thuney (trade), G Jonah Jackson (trade), TE Durham Smythe
Free-agent losses: Edge Darrell Taylor (reportedly)
Twentyman's take: Chicago head coach Ben Johnson learned a lot about roster building from Lions head coach Dan Campbell and Holmes in his time in Detroit and chief among them is NFL games are won and lost in the trenches. Johnson has certainly taken that lesson with him to Chicago.
Caleb Williams was the most sacked quarterback in the league last year. Johnson knows good offensive football is all about protecting the quarterback and being able to run the football. That's why the Bears traded for Thuney and Jackson and signed Dalman. It wouldn't be surprising if they address the tackle spot in the Top 10 of next month's NFL Draft too.
Getting Jarrett and Odeyingbo upgrades the defensive line, and now Chicago has much more experience and talent along both of their fronts after the first week of free agency.
