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I'm biased, but it seems to me that a 14-win team upgrading at least 5 positions would finish a little better than just one spot ahead of an 11-win team who did virtually nothing. I suppose it's all about the QB though, and ours is a big question mark in the eyes of most.
Rank 7
Minnesota Vikings
You can't say the Vikings have been passive, that's for sure. The defensive line was an issue, so they added defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. The O-line wasn't how they wanted it, so they dropped two starters and added Will Fries and Ryan Kelly . They also kept Byron Murphy Jr. and Aaron Jones -- paying up to do so -- and made a savvy trade with the 49ers for RB Jordan Mason . And, of course, there was the Big One: letting Sam Darnold walk. I wondered how the Vikings would approach the offseason after going 14-3, and as it turns out, they're being very aggressive. But for now, the aggression has stopped at quarterback, where most signs point to 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy taking over as the starter. Sure, there's risk in that approach, but it's always felt like their North Star, even with the Aaron Rodgers option available to them. This is a delicate situation, but so far, the Vikings haven't done anything to upset it, which is commendable.
Rank 8
Green Bay Packers
Years of inactivity in March conditioned Packers fans to feel disappointment at this juncture of the calendar. So perhaps 2024's veritable free-agent frenzy -- Green Bay signed Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney -- reset expectation levels a bit too high. Some harbored dreams of trading for Trey Hendrickson or DK Metcalf , but neither of those moves materialized, with the actual additions of nickelback Nate Hobbs and guard Aaron Banks paling in comparison. Then again, those could end up being fairly important when we look back later. Cornerback still seems like a spot where the Packers could add, and they have the flexibility to do so. And it continues to feel likely they'll move on from Jaire Alexander at some point. But the thing about this team under GM Brian Gutekunst is that it has found ways to get the roster in good shape more often than not by training camp. I suspect these Packers will do the same by the time we get to July.
https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-power-ranki...ree-agency
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