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David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
The next stop on my NFC North position rankings sees us take a look at the linebackers (excluding outside linebackers, who are in the edge defenders rankings), which is the engine room of each team’s defense.
NFC North LB Rankings for 2026
The NFC North has some top players at the linebacker position, but there are question marks about depth for most teams. One team stands out while the others are quite close. Here are my rankings for this season.
1. Chicago Bears
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Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) runs after the catch against the Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards (53) in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Devin Bush, TJ Edwards, D’Marco Jackson, Noah Sewell
The Bears released Tremaine Edmunds and replaced him by signing Devin Bush. It was a big move, adding a guy who scored an overall grade of 87.6 from Pro Football Focus to the already talented TJ Edwards. It gives Chicago the best one-two in the division by some distance, which is why they are top of the rankings.
In D’Marco Jackson, they have a depth player who excelled in coverage last season and a big, powerful LB in Noah Sewell, who is solid in run defense. There hasn’t been much pass rush success historically, and it’s an area Edwards will need to step up in this year, but it’s a good overall unit with decent depth that excels in coverage.
2. Detroit Lions
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Jan 7, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens (12) in the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports.
Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jimmy Rolder
Jack Campbell immediately became one of the best linebackers in the league after the Lions drafted him in 2023. He is as good as it gets in run defense, and he is also good in coverage and at rushing the passer.
Detroit has lost Alex Anzalone and not replaced him, leaving the depth behind Campbell looking weak. Derrick Barnes is solid in run defense, and Malcolm Rodriguez burst onto the scene as an undrafted rookie but missed a lot of football over the last two seasons because of a major ACL tear. The depth chart is rounded out by fourth-round rookie Jimmy Rolder.
3. Minnesota Vikings
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Nov 10, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51), linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0), cornerback Byron Murphy (7), and outside linebacker Dallas Turner (15) celebrate after recovering a fumble that was later ruled dead during second-quarter play against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. The defense showed high energy despite the reversal. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images.
Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson, Ivan Pace, Jake Golday
Since returning home to his native Minnesota, Blake Cashman has proved himself to be a very good linebacker. Persistent injuries that have caused him to miss a few games in each of his two seasons as a Viking are a concern for the now 30-year-old defender.
Brian Flores found a role for the returning Eric Wilson last season that clicked. Wilson was a menace coming downhill and racking up sacks and tackles for loss. It will be interesting to see if he can keep that production up this year. Ivan Pace has fallen off since his dramatic breakthrough as an undrafted rookie and could find his role on the team in jeopardy if second-round rookie Jake Golday can make an early impact.
The Vikings have a solid group, but it’s the impact of the rookie that will determine how good they can be.
4. Green Bay Packers
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Aug 23, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Kristian Welch (54) tackles Seattle Seahawks tight end Marshall Lang (49) during the second half at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
Edgerrin Cooper, Zaire Franklin, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty’Ron Hopper
Green Bay brought in Zaire Franklin to reunite with current defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Franklin had good years in Indianapolis but took a major downturn in 2025, and having reached 30, there have to be questions over whether he can return to his previous form.
Edgerrin Cooper has looked like a solid addition since being acquired in the second round of the 2024 draft, and Isaiah McDuffie is a reasonable depth player. Ty’Ron Hopper was drafted in the third round of the same draft as Cooper, as the Packers have searched for answers at linebacker that haven’t quite materialized.
With former first-rounder Quay Walker gone, Green Bay needs further development from Cooper and Hopper and a return to form from Franklin; otherwise, this will be a problem area for the team in 2026.
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