Sportsnet has you covered for NFL free agency with extensive breakdowns of every team heading into the 2014 league year. For all the divisions, click here.
Green Bay Packers (8-7-1, 1st in NFC North)
Team needs: DL, OL, S
Projected salary cap space: $29.3 million
Key free agents: TE Jermichael Finley, DT B.J. Raji, DT Johnny Jolly, DT Ryan Pickett, WR James Jones, OLB Mike Neal, C Evan Dietrich-Smith, RB James Starks, QB Matt Flynn, FB John Kuhn
Candidates for release: None
Free agent fit: C Ryan Wendell
The skinny: Packers GM Ted Thompson isn’t a fan of spending in free agency and that has largely worked in the team’s favour. That trend continued over the weekend, as Green Bay re-signed cornerback Sam Shields for the next four seasons. The team will also likely attempt to re-sign centre Dietrich-Smith. The Packers may have to alter their spending practices a bit as they have just one defensive tackle on the roster.
Chicago Bears (8-8, 2nd in NFC North)
Team needs: DL, LB, CB, S
Projected salary cap space: $8.2 million
Key free agents: CB Charles Tillman, DT Henry Melton, LB D.J. Williams, S Major Wright, KR/PR Devin Hester, DE Corey Wootton, QB Josh McCown
Candidates for release: DE Julius Peppers (Cap savings of $9.8 million), released KR/PR Devin Hester and P Adam Podlesh last week
Free agent fit: DE Lamarr Houston
The skinny: With quarterback Jay Cutler locked up, the Bears offence – which ranked eighth last season in total yards – is set for the future. This off-season will be focused on rebuilding a defence that allowed the most yards and points in franchise history. Wooton and Melton could be re-signed but with an unfavourable amount of cap space it’s most likely that GM Phil Emery will look to the draft for the defensive upgrades. However, Emery should examine free agency for some short-term fixes as Chicago looks to rebound from a disappointing 2013 season.
Detroit Lions (7-9, 3rd in NFC North)
Team needs: WR, S, CB
Projected salary cap space: $10.8 million
Key free agents: QB Shaun Hill, TE Brandon Pettigrew, DE Willie Young, CB Rashean Mathis
Candidates for release: Already released WR Nate Burleson, S Louis Delmas and OL Leroy Harris
Free agent fit: CB Captain Munnerlyn, S T.J. Ward
The skinny: The Lions’ cap situation isn’t great and that comes down to the approximately $45 million tied up in Matt Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh. Cuts have been made but a new deal for Suh is a must as the defensive tackle’s cap number in 2014 is a staggering $22.4 million. Detroit’s biggest needs are a reliable receiver to line up opposite of Megatron and some relief in a secondary that has struggled in the pass-heavy NFC North.
Minnesota Vikings (5-10-1, 4th in NFC North)
Team needs: DL, CB, QB
Projected salary cap space: $41.2 million
Key free agents: DE Jared Allen, DT Kevin Williams, CB Chris Cook, WR Jerome Simpson
Candidates for release: Already released TE John Carlson, WR Greg Childs and DT Letroy Guion
Free agent fit: CB Alterraun Verner
The skinny: With a new coaching staff in place, the Vikings will be looking for a fresh start in 2014 and having more than $40 million to spend certainly helps. Mike Zimmer went all in to re-sign Everson Griffen — to replace Jared Allen — and Minnesota are expected to be bidders on former Titans cornerback Alterraun Verner. The Vikings are expected to address their terrible QB situation in the first round of the draft and it sounds like Matt Cassel will be back as the No. 2.
