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Packers: Ranking NFC North quarterbacks ahead of 2021 NFL Season

By Brian Sampson

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings and Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers shakes hands after the game at Lambeau Field on September 15, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings and Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers shakes hands after the game at Lambeau Field on September 15, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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Since the inception of the NFC North back in 2001, the division has largely been owned by the Green Bay Packers. And it’s no coincidence the team has also had the most stable quarterback situation amongst the four teams.

Between the Packers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay saw a mostly smooth transition of power (at least on the field) from one Hall of Fame quarterback in Brett Favre to a future Hall of Famer in Aaron Rodgers. That allowed the franchise to continue its stranglehold on the division that began with Favre’s arrival in the early to mid-90s.

As the Bears, Lions, and Vikings have either shuffled through quarterbacks or struggled to build complete teams around the signal-callers in place, the Packers have thrived and consistently put a championship product on the field.

Although the Green Bay Packers have a quarterback dilemma on their hands, here is how the position ranks in the NFC North ahead of the 2021 NFL season.

With Rodgers’ situation heading into the 2021 NFL season unknown, the other three teams in the NFC North are hoping to take advantage of the Packers’ discombobulation. Let’s take a peek at the start of the season and rank the quarterbacks from worst to first.

Ranking NFC North quarterbacks 4: Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

The Lions are officially in full rebuild mode as they sent longtime starting QB Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Jared Goff and a slew of draft picks. Stafford was steady throughout his time in Detroit, but was never able to get the team over the hump. It won’t be any different with Goff. Goff is basically the placeholder until Detroit can identify their future quarterback. Expect this season to be one of Goff’s worst as a professional.

Ranking NFC North quarterbacks 3: Justin Fields, Chicago Bears

While Detroit is frantically searching for their franchise quarterback, the Bears hope they finally found theirs in Justin Fields. Fields fell to Chicago with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and they couldn’t be more excited about him. He was a proven winner at Ohio State and can do just about everything. We’ll see how he develops and whether his team can put enough weapons around him.

Ranking NFC North quarterbacks 2: Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings

Fields could surprise everyone and end the season at No. 2 on this list, but it’s Kirk Cousins’ for now. Cousins is a solid, if unspectacular quarterback, playing on a team that has done a nice job surrounding him with weapons. If the offensive line can hold up in front of him, Cousins could will the Vikings to the top of the NFC North next season.

Next. Projecting Packers starting lineup next season. dark

Ranking NFC North quarterbacks 1: Aaron Rodgers, Packers

Until he’s dethroned, Aaron Rodgers reigns supreme on top of the quarterback power rankings. Rodgers is coming off an MVP season and there’s no reason to think he can’t repeat his past success. The Packers are bringing back just about everyone and even added a third-round wide receiver in Amari Rodgers. Look for the future Hall of Famer to turn in another big season leading the green and gold.

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