2024 NFC North Position Rankings: Linebackers

If there’s one position group the Chicago Bears have always gotten right, it’s linebackers. Names like Brian Urlacher, Mike Singletary, and Dick Butkus stand out as legends of the franchise. It’s ironic that the position known as the “quarterback of the defense” seems to come so easily for a team that hopes it’s landed its first-ever franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams.

Will Chicago’s history of dominance from the linebacker position continue in 2024? Let’s look at who’s in the room and compare them with the rest of the NFC North.

Detroit Lions

First-round pick Jack Campbell had a disappointing rookie season in 2023. It wasn’t all bad, but fair or not, every first-round pick comes with expectations of at least above-average play, and I can’t say that Campbell was above average. But he’s got plenty of football left to play.

He’ll continue to be mentored by returning veterans Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes. While neither tends to stuff the stat sheet, they’re both dependable veterans who provide a stable floor for the Lions’ defense.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings linebacker room has seen some big changes this offseason. Longtime Viking Danielle Hunter is gone, and to replace him, the Vikings signed Jonathan Greenard from Houston and drafted Dallas Turner. Greenard had a breakout season in 2023, putting up 12.5 sacks, more than doubling his career total. As for Turner, he’s a highly-rated pass rusher who was expected to go in the Top 10 of this year’s draft. The Vikings got a steal when Turner was still available at 17th overall.

Rounding out Minnesota’s linebacker room are Ivan Pace Jr. and Blake Cashman. Like Greenard, Cashman was signed from Houston after a breakout campaign in 2023. An undrafted rookie, Pace looked like he should have been drafted somewhere in rounds two or three. The former Cincinnati Bearcat earned an impressive 77.1 grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking 17th among all linebackers. His career arc will be an interesting one to watch.

Green Bay Packers

Two of Green Bay’s starting linebackers have been first-round picks: Quay Walker in 2022 and Edgerrin Cooper this year. Walker is already in danger of being a bust. His rookie season was defined more by his ejections from games than his play on the field, and his sophomore year didn’t look much better. Cooper is a promising rookie who should play a big role in 2024, but he’ll have to prove it on the field first.

Another veteran linebacker returning for Green Bay is Isaiah McDuffie, the strongside linebacker. He’s heading into his fourth season, and if he wants to stay in Green Bay, he will have to show some significant improvement.

Chicago Bears

Last offseason, the Bears spent big money, nearly $100 million, on free-agent linebackers. GM Ryan Poles landed the big fish of the linebacker market, Tremaine Edmunds from Buffalo and TJ Edwards from Philadelphia. Edmunds struggled mightily to start the season but got much better in the second half. He finished with 113 tackles and a career-high four interceptions.

Edwards was something of a surprise in 2023. Many expected him to be good, but he played at what many thought was a Pro Bowl level. He racked up an astonishing 155 tackles, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.

Returning for his third season, Jack Sanborn has been a fan-favorite in Chicago since he was a rookie. Like Pace from the Vikings, Sanborn somehow went undrafted, only to go on to have an incredible rookie campaign. He may never join the upper tier of great Chicago linebackers, but he plays hard and is a respected member of the team.

Bears linebackers lead the way, as is tradition.

Make all the jokes about the Chicago Bears you want (and there’s plenty of material), there’s no joking about their linebackers, either past or present. They’re the best the NFC North has to offer right now, and it’s not particularly close.

Minnesota gets second place, thanks to the additions they made this offseason. Losing Danielle Hunter hurts, but they did more than enough to replace him. Third place goes to Detroit. I like the veteran leadership, even if there’s no elite potential there, and Jack Campbell still has lots of room to grow.

Green Bay’s linebackers bring up the rear of the division. Walker is one more mediocre season away from being a bust, and McDuffie’s career thus far has been uninspiring. I love the potential of Cooper, but he’s a rookie and will have to prove it on the field.