NFC North Rundown: How will Klint Kubiak’s playcalling compare to his father’s in Minnesota?

As another week continues in the franchise tag period, the NFC North has yet to see the designation used. Still, news could come as early as this week for players such as Kenny Golladay and Allen Robinson, and those decisions could have heavy impacts on their respective teams’ drafts. Particularly in Detroit, Golladay’s absence would leave a massive hole on a wide receiver unit that several draft pundits, including Mel Kiper Jr., believe should be addressed early in the draft.

Elsewhere around the division, Chicago remains on the quarterback hunt as a new name came under consideration this week. And in Minnesota, the Vikings will have a new offensive coordinator in Klint Kubiak during the 2021 season, but how much change will he bring? A Vikings mailbag tries to answer that question while another tries to bring increased admiration for Mike Zimmer’s coaching career in Minnesota.

Those stories and more can be found in today’s NFC North rundown.

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions appear to be taking a modern approach to team building

Chris Spielman believes that a team, in today’s NFL, should be built from “the outside in,” with both sides of the ball taking the passing game much more into account.

Lions new regime must avoid second-round draft busts

Since drafting Darius Slay in 2013, Detroit has really struggled to capitalize on its second-round draft picks and find long-term producers.

Mel Kiper Jr.: Detroit Lions should build around Jared Goff, pass on QB with seventh pick

Kiper believes that adding pieces around Goff at wide receiver, and hitting on those picks, could help Goff return to at least a “good” level and help avoid some of the issues that doomed Matthew Stafford during his time in Detroit.

Chicago Bears

Former Texas coach Tom Herman joining Chicago Bears

Not too long ago, the Bears added Mark Helfrich from the college head coaching ranks after he was fired from Oregon. Chicago will be hoping from better luck with Herman this time around as a new analyst.

Twitter reacts to Bears CB Buster Skrine’s pending release

Chicago appears to have made its first cap decision of the offseason, parting ways with a veteran cornerback.

Have the Bears emerged as favorites to potentially land Russell Wilson?

The chatter surrounding Wilson quickly made the Wentz-Bears conversation die off and has taken some buzz off of the Deshaun Watson speculation as well. But is Chicago really a “favorite” for Wilson, who played his final season of college ball less than three hours away?

Minnesota Vikings

Monday Morning Mailbag: Klint Kubiak’s 2021 Offensive Vision & Draft Quality vs. Quantity

Will Minnesota’s offense look very similar as Klint takes over the playcalling for his father, Gary? And how will the Vikings approach the draft this year after making an exceptionally high number of picks in 2020?

Mike Zimmer is severely underappreciated by too many people

The seat appeared to be hot for Zimmer at various points of last season, but Minnesota has been a contender more often than not with him in charge.

C’mon Larry Fitzgerald, play your final NFL season in Minnesota

Fitzgerald’s career would come full circle if he returned to his home state and to a team where he was formerly a ball boy. The Vikings also have a need for wide receiver depth behind Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson.