Cory's Corner: The NFC North Isn't Automatic Anymore
The Packers used to own the North, but they cannot take that division for granted anymore.
For years, the Green Bay Packers didn’t chase the NFC North — they owned it. The division ran through Lambeau Field as reliably as winter wind off Lake Michigan. From 2019 through 2021, three straight division titles reinforced what had long felt inevitable: if you wanted the crown, you had to take it from Green Bay.
Now? The crown is gone — and the chase is back on.
The rise of the Detroit Lions and the steady presence of the Minnesota Vikings have reshaped the division into something unfamiliar. Add in the 2025 breakthrough by the Chicago Bears—a result that would have sounded absurd just a few years ago — and the NFC North suddenly looks like one of the league’s most competitive neighborhoods.
Which raises the question: have the Packers gone from hunters, to hunted … and now back to hunters again?
The answer, increasingly, is yes — and that may not be a bad thing.
During the peak years under Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay carried the burden of expectation. Every season was measured not by playoff appearances, but by Super Bowl viability. Division titles became routine, almost background noise to the larger goal. That kind of sustained success, while enviable, can also mask cracks—aging rosters, thin margins, and an overreliance on elite quarterback play.
When the titles stopped coming after 2021, those cracks widened. The rest of the division didn’t just catch up; it surged ahead with younger rosters, aggressive roster-building, and a willingness to evolve offensively.
Now the Packers find themselves in a different posture — one that demands urgency, creativity, and humility.
At the center of it all is Jordan Love, the latest in Green Bay’s improbable quarterback lineage. But unlike his predecessors, Love doesn’t inherit a finished product. He’s being asked to grow alongside one. That changes the timeline — and the expectations.
If the Packers are going to reclaim the North, it won’t look like 2019 all over again. It can’t.
Instead, the path forward starts with embracing what they’ve become: younger, faster, and less predictable. The offensive identity under Matt LaFleur must continue to evolve, leaning into motion, versatility, and balance rather than leaning on a single star to carry the load. The defense, long a source of frustration, must finally match the energy and opportunism of its divisional rivals.
Just as important, Green Bay has to win the moments that used to define its dominance — late drives, critical third downs, cold-weather games in December. Those were once automatic advantages. Now they’re proving grounds again.
The irony is that this version of the Packers may be better built for the long haul than the one that ruled the division. Without the weight of inevitability, there’s room to grow, to surprise, to build something sustainable rather than simply maintain greatness.
The NFC North no longer belongs to Green Bay. That much is clear.
But in losing control, the Packers may have rediscovered something they haven’t needed in a long time: the edge that comes with chasing.
And if history in Green Bay tells us anything, it’s this — when the Packers are chasing, they’re usually not far from taking it back.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (35)
ricky
March 28, 2026 at 06:30 am
The Lions peaked and are now ebbing. Two years ago, they were two games from a SB, but couldn't get it done. They have not reached that level since, and Goff is not getting any younger.
The Vikings still need a QB. Kyler Murray? He seems more interested in playing video games than watching game films. He also is more injury prone, and has the probl.m of not being the prototypical size for a QB. And before someone mentions Brees, he was two inches taller than Murray. And was also much more committed to the game.
The Bears won last year on smoke and mirrors. A lot of fourth quarter miracles and the ball consistently bouncing their way. That may work for a year, but is not the way to become a consistent winner.
The Packers, in particular MLF need to get a killer instinct. Trust your QB to be part of the winning formula, rather than getting a lead, then going almost exclusively to a running game. Rather than just saying "All gas, no brakes", show it consistently on the field.
Since'75
March 28, 2026 at 09:08 am
"The Vikings still need a QB. "
**********
The Vikings had a QB.
Unfortunately for them, they didn't think he was worth keeping.
They had a different plan.
Ironically, the QB they rejected, was a SB winning QB a season later.
Was it the right place, at the right time for Darnold?
Perhaps.
But with the Vikings....Darnold completed 66% of his passes.
Justin Jefferson had over 1,500 yards.
Darnold had 35 TD's against 12 picks.
102 passer rating.
But the Vikings brass made a decision and decided, no thank you.
Championships are won from the top down.
Harlan, Wolf, Ted Thompson, are proof of that.
The times they are a changing.
Swisch
March 28, 2026 at 06:12 pm
My impression with LaFleur is that during games he relies too much on the standard approach, the conventional thinking, the analytics.
Whether he's throwing a challenge flag, going for it on fourth down, or deciding between run and pass -- it seems he's too uptight about what others will think.
What he may be missing is that so much depends on the situation in that particular game and all of the dynamics around it.
In other words, the same situation in two different games might call for different decisions. It could be a good call in one game to go for a touchdown at the goal line instead of taking the short field goal, but a bad decision in another game.
Maybe our head coach has to go with his own feel for the game more often instead of going by the book, or the latest trends of other head coaches.
Let's hope that LaFleur has learned from all of his experiences of the past seasons, and that he has the grit to act on his best judgment.
He's been a very good head coach with the Packers. Now it's time for him to step it up.
I'm rooting for him.
PhantomII
March 29, 2026 at 04:17 pm
My impression is ML has a game plan....it usually works against obvious lesser teams....WHEN A..GOOD...TEAM makes adjustments...ML has no conceivable way to use any of his plays to counter the Defense....How do you get this far in the NFL and make a game plan and NOT ask yourself...what will they do to minimize what we are doing and look at the coverage and NOT be able to exploit ANY weakness they have shown to handle his team....I don't get it.
WorseWisconsin
April 03, 2026 at 11:31 am
"The Bears won last year on smoke and mirrors."
The 2 losses still sting, I see :) How about we get grounded in some hard facts from the playoff game:
Turnovers: bears were -2; even when GB fumbled, GB recovered it; the ball definitely didn't bounce the Bears way. Bears won anyways.
Run game: Bears ran for a TOTAL of 93 yards, and GB outran them. Bears won anyways.
4th down: GB was 3 for 3, Bears were 2 for 6. Bears won anyways.
Basically, the things that prognosticators said NEEDED to happen for the Bears to win, didn't happen. But the Bears won anyways.
Face it: in crunch time, GB got out-coached and out-played.
golfpacker61
March 28, 2026 at 07:52 am
The whole league is better, not just the North. There are no more easy games for anyone. You can lose on a given gameday if you don't bring your A Game.
The Packers have some weak position groups holding them back. Some of our drafts the last 5-6 years have been terrible and contributed to the holes in our roster. GB has either just missed altogether on the players they drafted, or they just ignored a great player sitting right in front of them when they had the chance to pick. I don't know if "overthinking" is the right word or not, but when teams have a huge need, and the best player at that position is available, just pull the trigger.
There is no point in naming players that could be on this team right now that would have made individual position groups strengths instead of gaping roster holes. Maybe Gutey can just hang out with the Eagles and 49ers brass and avoid the Cowboys and Jets big wheels. He might learn something.
mrtundra
March 28, 2026 at 08:26 am
"You can lose on a given gameday if you don't bring your A Game." The Packers proved that, a lot, lately!
Since'75
March 28, 2026 at 09:50 am
That has been true in the NFL, forever.
A lot of teams have proven that, throughout history.
*******
I know, i know....lol
It's confusing isn't it.
**********
WAIT!!
I might of misread that.
You can lose on any given Gameday if you don't bring your A game?
Well jeez....i just keep learning.
Let me write that down.
Coldworld
March 28, 2026 at 08:13 am
When did we last win the North? In fact every other NFC north team has won the division since we last did. Sorry, but this horse has long bolted.
KenEllis
March 29, 2026 at 01:34 pm
Pack has not won the North since 2021 while the Vikes, Bears, and Lions (twice) have all taken turns winning the Division.
Pack is not currently favored to win the Division in 2026.
The other 3 NFC North Coaches all have winning records head to head against MLF.
If there are any Packer fans who still believe winning the NFC North is automatic they’ve either recently woken up from a multi-year coma or they limit their sources of information to the Packers team website.
LambeauPlain
March 28, 2026 at 08:32 am
"Now the Packers find themselves in a different posture — one that demands urgency, creativity, and humility."
So the implication is since 2021, the Packers posture has instead has been one of sluggishness, status quo and hubris, Cory?
That is quite the indictment. Unfortunately, I do see LaFleur's "status quo" continuing on Offense and being enshrined with Murphy's Football Committee management structure fully embraced by Ed Policy.
However, Gutey's "urgency" call was evident with the acquisition Parsons. He also swung for the fences with Banks (incomplete) and Hobbs (strike out). The team appeared to be mostly on the right track until Wyatt, Parsons and Kraft were lost for the season and the OL injuries/constant tinkering made that unit dysfunctional.
The team should have plenty of humility after tying the Cowboys, losing to the Browns and Panthers...and the last 5 games last year...as well as their playoff record under LaFleur. I don't see a lack of that virtue.
Since'75
March 28, 2026 at 08:41 am
"And if history in Green Bay tells us anything, it’s this....."
Football life is different in Green Bay, when you don't have a HOF QB after 30 years.
I mentioned to Packer fans down the hall numerous times years ago, that life in Green Bay without HOF QB's, would have a different look.
***********
That said....that isn't to disparage Jordan Love.
I've said numerous times that Love is an above average NFL QB.
Favre/Rodgers won fairly quickly in there careers.
Love is not there yet, but he is still in that window.
PhantomII
March 29, 2026 at 04:25 pm
Favre and Rodgers had way better players around the QB for one thing...and I'm talking some player positions were 2x better than the current debacle.
marpag1
March 28, 2026 at 08:55 am
It was never automatic, and certainly not inevitable. That's just kind of dumb.
The Packers won about half of the time in the past 25 years.
2025 — Chicago Bears
2024 — Detroit Lions
2023 — Detroit Lions
2022 — Minnesota Vikings
2021 — Green Bay Packers
2020 — Green Bay Packers
2019 — Green Bay Packers
2018 — Chicago Bears
2017 — Minnesota Vikings
2016 — Green Bay Packers
2015 — Minnesota Vikings
2014 — Green Bay Packers
2013 — Green Bay Packers
2012 — Green Bay Packers
2011 — Green Bay Packers
2010 — Chicago Bears
2009 — Minnesota Vikings
2008 — Minnesota Vikings
2007 — Green Bay Packers
2006 — Chicago Bears
2005 — Chicago Bears
2004 — Green Bay Packers
2003 — Green Bay Packers
2002 — Green Bay Packers
2001 — Chicago Bears
Since'75
March 28, 2026 at 09:26 am
Automatic was a bad choice of words.
I think most of us realize that the gist of his message was....
That during the 3 decades of Favre/Rodgers, Green Bay dominated the division overall.
LeotisHarris
March 28, 2026 at 01:32 pm
Except we didn't dominate the division during that time period. If we start with the 1992 season and the arrival of Brefarve, the Packers won the division 15 times in the next 33 years. There were two stretches of four consecutive seasons when the Packers did not win, according to some, the weakest division in the league, the division responsible for our unearned success.
If you look at the history of the NFC Central/North, the periods of dominance since the merger were the 70s Vikings and the 80s Bears. There are many shitty teams in the NFL playing shitty football on a weekly basis. At this point, some of the better teams are in the NFC North. They will still play shitty football for a variety of reasons.
Since'75
March 28, 2026 at 03:42 pm
So, is it safe to say the Packers won the most divisions in the 30 years of Favre/Rodgers?
Which is what i said. 🤷♂️
***********
The Packers won the Division 15 times under Favre/Rodgers.
I'd call that the most of any team in the NFCN...Mr. Thumbs down.
Keep trying thumbs down, keep trying.
Ignorance and having a low IQ are not a crime.
But nonetheless, thanks for playing.
Since'75
March 28, 2026 at 07:59 pm
I don't know, call me crazy...but i'd call 15 Division wins and 2 SB victory's dominating the NFCN.
As far as SB wins, Detroit, Chicago, and the Vikings combined in that time, won a total of....
BBL....let me look that up.
Ferrari-Driver
March 28, 2026 at 10:11 am
The NFL designed the draft to function the same way we used to do pick up games in grammar school with the first pick designed to select the best player available. For baseball games one guy would toss the bat over to the other guy and If I (assuming I would be one of the two captains in this example) get at least three fingers on the bat at the end I would choose the best player and the other captain would pick the next best player and so on. The NFL draft functions in much the same way only the team that picks first is the one with the worst season record and with the Packers essentially picking after all three teams in the NFC North, over time the roster of the weaker teams should, by design, increase their comparative talent level and perhaps that is what we have been seeing during recent years...the previous weaker teams in NFC North have improved their roster by getting their choice of players before the Packers get to select. Of course their are a plethora of other factors involved in developing a winning team/culture, but the NFL Draft is a major equalizing factor.
13TimeChamps
March 28, 2026 at 04:27 pm
Unless, of course, you're the Cleveland Browns.
Swisch
March 28, 2026 at 05:33 pm
I'm sad for the fans of Cleveland.
Never even been to the Super Bowl.
Last championship in 1964. The next season lost to Lombardi and the Packers in the championship game of 1965. That was their last hurrah!
The Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions ruled the first half of the 1950s, and featured good teams into the 1970s.
Then, they both kind of went the way of America, especially the Rust Belt cities of the Midwest.
***
Nowadays, even the NFL executives detest the traditional fans of the NFL, those of us from blue collar backgrounds. They consider us rubes and bigots.
I was watching a Youtube video about the steel mills of Pittsburgh before and after the Homestead Strike of 1892. They worked 12 hours a day, six days a week, in dirty, deafening, dangerous conditions. Far too may died on the job in the most gruesome of ways. The others were broken physically by their forties.
It was a servitude of force labor fit for hardened criminals rather than solid citizens.
These are the kind of laborers and their children who made up the NFL into the Lombardi Era. These are the fans who made the NFL the top sport in America. These are our fathers and grandfathers.
Nowadays, we are told by whiny academic snobs that we are the offspring of white privilege -- as if our families didn't built America with their sweat and defend it with their blood. We're taught to be ashamed of ourselves. We are told to stand down and slink into the margins of society.
***
It's not about political party.
It truly is time to put America first and make America great again. It mostly has to happen from the ground up, with a rededication to faith and family and freedom.
The powerbrokers of America want to divide us according to race and other manufactured conflicts, to distract from them owning almost all of our country, and the most of us owning almost nothing. We are a nation of renters.
Even the better off among us are dependent on the whims of the wealthy. Step out of line, and we're driven into isolation and destitution. Just about all of us are working on someone' else's plantation.
Let's not fall for the distractions. Let's stop allowing ourselves to be manipulated into chumps. Let's join in a solidarity of all the people who love America, across color, culture, and class.
We need good jobs to provide for strong families, and strong families to prepare for good jobs. We need to return to the faith of our fathers. If we kneel before God, we need not grovel before either Big Government or Big Business.
***
As far as the NFL, we have to at least protest when they shove the slogans of wokeness down our throats. Maybe we don't buy their merchandise. Maybe we don't pay for their extra packages for viewing games.
The commissioner wouldn't let Peyton Manning honor Johnny Unitas with the wearing of black hightops. Yet this multi-millionaire forces BLM slogans on helmets and next to the end zone.
Roger Goodell makes, what, $40 million or more per year? At a minimum, let's recognize him as a con artist. Let's do what we can to resist him and his henchmen in the skyboxes who look down on the ordinary fans.
If we do whatever little we can to save the NFL, we help to save America.
P.S. I guess the post of Ferrari-Driver hit a nerve of nostalgia.
GreenandBold
March 29, 2026 at 08:31 am
If you were at the Packers game last season in Cleveland you would’ve thought the Browns had just won the Super Bowl . That town went nuts !
MaruishiEmperor
March 29, 2026 at 04:23 pm
I could give two "you know whats" about the fans of Cleveland. I only care about how my team does...the Green Bay Packers.
Swisch
March 28, 2026 at 04:52 pm
Good memories of the ritual of the bat, and kids making up their own rules and officiating their own games in the backyard.
Baseball in the spring and summer, along with baseball cards; football in the fall; some street hockey and basketball mixed in; the ice cream man jingling down the street; and forays into the woods along the creek.
All unsupervised and spontaneous and splendid.
I'm sad that this may not be occurring nearly as much with kids as it used to.
I'm so very grateful that I experienced it in my day.
Don't it always seem to go . . .
Oppy
March 28, 2026 at 10:39 am
Yup, it's definitely AI-produced articles from Cory from here on out. It's infinitely more readable and sensible, but I still don't know how I feel about letting the machine do the work.
dobber
March 28, 2026 at 11:45 am
This is a step above his normal weekend-edition word-jumble.
LeotisHarris
March 28, 2026 at 01:38 pm
GPTZero says:
"We are highly confident this text was AI generated"
Chance this entire text is:
AI 93%
Mixed 7%
Human 0%
Sad, Cory. Just plain sad.
Bitternotsour
March 28, 2026 at 05:53 pm
To be fair, it's much better than what he comes up with on his own. Bring on the AI overlords.
marpag1
March 29, 2026 at 12:41 am
It's just a fire in a smaller dumpster. Yeehah.
Oppy
March 28, 2026 at 11:23 pm
The humor here is not lost on me, Leotis :)
LeotisHarris
March 29, 2026 at 10:45 am
::fistbump::
stockholder
March 28, 2026 at 04:26 pm
Love was groomed after Rodgers.
Nobody in the league is inheriting a finished product!
It’s Win now. And the word MVP, is what was Preached.
Clutch moments; are required now.
Superiority is a player's Dominance over opponents.
While most think they have superheroes.
The packers must exploit their vulnerabilities.
Severing the head from the body.
Swisch
March 28, 2026 at 05:51 pm
A thumbs up from me, stockholder.
My takeaway: We can get so concerned about the weaknesses of the Packers that we lose sight of their strengths.
IMO, we have a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl over the next two seasons. Why not us? At one point last season we were 9-3-1.
Then again, it seems we could also miss the playoffs in any given year.
In other words, our team always has to be improving and striving; but let's not get too down on the Packers. We can criticize but constructively.
They can do this, and we the fans can help.
Encouragement and support can go a long way.
MaruishiEmperor
March 29, 2026 at 04:21 pm
You can count on LaFRAUD losing 2 to 3 games because of poor game/clock management and being outmaneuvered by the opposition in the second half. GB will NEVER win with him as coach. He's an above average offensive game planner but that is all. Unfortunately, Gutekan't is failing GB with his lousy drafts as well. We will waste Jordan Love's time just as we wasted Rodgers. Unlike years past, now we all can say with regret, "Winter is coming"!!
WorseWisconsin
April 03, 2026 at 11:18 am
I think the folks here that argue GB wasn't 'dominant' in the division *technically* have a point; over the last 31 seasons, the division winners were:
GBP=15
MNV=7
CHI=6
DET=2
As another poster noted, that's slightly less than half. But...
Most Bears fans would agree that other NFC-N|C teams usually had to deal with GB in order to win the division. I count GB as 'dominant' over roughly 27 of those 31 years, at least for the division. But in the playoffs, 'dominant' is not GBs calling card.