Sizzling NFC North training-camp position battles

With training camps underway, here’s a look at the top position battles to watch for teams in the NFC North:

Chicago Bears

RUNNING BACK | Khalil Herbert vs. D'Onta Foreman vs. Roschon Johnson 

Herbert carved a decent role as a backup for the Bears in 2022, playing behind David Montgomery, who left in free agency this offseason, opening up the starting spot. The third-year back rushed for 731 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 5.67 yards per carry in limited action (129 attempts), and could produce even more given a heavier workload. While the job may appear Herbert's to lose on the surface, he's a holdover from the Matt Nagy/Ryan Pace era, and the regime in charge now brought two running backs in to compete for No. 1 touches. 

At 26, Foreman is the oldest of the bunch, but he's coming off the best campaign of his five-year career (914 rushing yards, four TD) and is still fresh, having averaged only 88.6 carries per season. Meanwhile, perhaps the most intriguing option, Johnson, scampered for more than 1,500 yards over three seasons in the Texas backfield following a switch from quarterback to running back his sophomore year. After averaging 6.0 yards a carry as a senior, Johnson is impressing early in Bears camp, already surpassing Foreman on the depth chart. 

Detroit Lions 

LINEBACKER | Malcolm Rodriguez vs. Derrick Barnes vs. Jack Campbell

With only two starting positions available at linebacker in the Lions' 4-2-5 defensive scheme, one occupied by returning vet Alex Anzalone, the battle for the remaining spot will be fierce. So far, there isn't a breakaway favorite between the trio of hopefuls. Thrown into the fire as a rookie sixth-round pick, Rodriguez started 15 games, recording 87 tackles, and Barnes, a fourth-round choice in 2021, has posted 114 tackles and three sacks, starting 10 games over two seasons. Meanwhile, the wild card is Campbell, who starred at Iowa but will enter a new world in the NFL. While nothing is guaranteed for the 2023 18th overall pick, Campbell has turned heads early, with head coach Dan Campbell telling reporters he "slowly improves and I mean that in a good way." 

Anzalone recently noted that this year's linebacking core was the deepest he'd seen, and the competition within was "out in the open." So, it should be interesting to see who ultimately starts opposite Anzalone for the Lions in 2023. 

Green Bay Packers

WIDE RECEIVER | The Entire Depth Chart

Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs will likely have critical roles within the Packers' pass-catching unit. However, where they'll line up will probably vary throughout the year depending on production and what head coach and play-caller Matt LaFleur can cook up. And, with the departure of Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, 150 targets are up for grabs, meaning there will also be room for others to produce, like rookies Jayden Reed and fifth-rounder Dontayvion Wicks. Reed had a successful career at Michigan State, recording 2,069 yards and 18 touchdowns in 31 games. Meanwhile, Wicks averaged 18.8 yards per catch, posting 12 touchdowns in 23 career games with Virginia. Considering the depth at receiver, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Reed and Wicks find roles early for the Packers. 

Combining a young quarterback and an equally inexperienced wide-receiving core seems like a recipe for disaster. However, general manager Brian Gutekunst said the Packers don't need to add a veteran adding, "They're gonna grow together with Jordan [Love]." Time will tell. 

Minnesota Vikings

CORNERBACK | Byron Murphy Jr. vs. Andrew Booth vs. Akayleb Evans vs. Mekhi Blackmon vs. Joejuan Williams

The Vikings cleaned house at cornerback following an abysmal 2022 for the group. They signed free agent Byron Murphy, who seems penciled in as the team's top cornerback, but even he isn't a gigantic upgrade over what they had. After Murphy, it gets even more uncertain for the Vikings, with Evans, Booth, Blackmon and Williams battling for the other starting spot. The contenders for the No. 2 corner job have a combined four career NFL starts, with Evans having the most with two, which he made last season. 

Rarely do wholesale changes at one position work out; if they do, it takes time, which the Vikings may have to live with. Nevertheless, DC Brian Flores is preaching a "competitive camp" as he looks to shape the Vikings' revamped cornerback unit. However, considering how inexperienced the group behind Murphy is, practically no one enters camp with an edge. So Vikings fans should expect plenty of interesting looks in the secondary ahead of Week 1.