As the NFL season begins, the quarterback landscape in the NFC North is an intriguing one. With the Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love, the Detroit Lions’ Jared Goff, the Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams, and the Minnesota Vikings’ Sam Darnold all competing in the division, it’s time to break down their performances and potential. Here’s how these four quarterbacks stack up against each other.

1. Jared Goff (Detroit Lions)

Strengths: Jared Goff has proven himself to be a reliable quarterback, especially since joining the Lions. He has a solid arm, excellent poise in the pocket, and the ability to read defenses effectively. Goff led the Lions to an NFC Championship game appearance last season, showcasing his ability to perform in high-pressure situations and make a playoff run. His chemistry with his receiving corps, particularly Amon-Ra St. Brown, has been a significant factor in the Lions’ offensive success and it seems like Goff and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson are a match made in Heaven.

Weaknesses: While Goff has improved, there are still moments of inconsistency, particularly when facing elite defenses. He can struggle under pressure and has been known to force throws that lead to turnovers.

Overall: Goff’s experience and proven track record make him the top quarterback in this ranking. He has the tools to lead the Lions to further success and maybe an even deeper playoff run in 2024.

2. Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers)

Strengths: Jordan Love is entering his second season as the starter in Green Bay and is coming off a huge contract extension this offseason. He possesses a strong arm, mobility, and the potential to be an off the script quarterback. In his early games, Love has shown flashes of brilliance, demonstrating a knack for making plays downfield and an ability to extend plays with his legs.

Weaknesses: Love’s inexperience is a double-edged sword. While he has talent, he still needs to develop his decision-making and consistency. He can occasionally hold onto the ball too long, leading to sacks or turnovers.

Overall: Love is a promising talent with a high ceiling, but he still has a way to go before matching Goff’s level of performance. His potential keeps him in the second spot.

3. Sam Darnold (Minnesota Vikings)

Strengths: Sam Darnold has shown flashes of potential during his time in the league. He has a strong arm and the athleticism to make plays with his legs. Darnold has experience starting games, which can be invaluable for any team and the combination of Darnold and head coach Kevin O’Connell could really open up the talent of the former USC Trojan that we have never seen before.

Weaknesses: Darnold’s career has been marred by inconsistency and struggles with turnovers. He often makes questionable decisions, leading to costly mistakes in critical moments. His performances have been up and down, and he has yet to establish himself as a franchise quarterback, but Darnold has never had a supporting cast like the one he has in Minnesota.

Overall: Given his track record and the challenges he has faced, Darnold ranks third in this group. While he still has time to turn his career around, he has not shown the same level of promise as the top two on the list. But we could be set for a break out year for the former second overall draft pick.

4. Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears)

Strengths: Caleb Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, is a dynamic playmaker. His ability to throw on the run, combined with his mobility, makes him a versatile threat. Williams has an impressive college resume, showcasing his arm strength and field awareness, and he comes into an offense with an array of impressive weapons.

Weaknesses: Transitioning from college to the NFL can be challenging, and Williams will face a steep learning curve. There are concerns about his decision-making under pressure and the level of competition he faced in college compared to the pros. Additionally, he must adapt to the Bears’ offensive scheme, which has historically struggled, and hasn’t shown much consistency with head coach Matt Eberflus at the helm.

Overall: While Williams has immense potential, his lack of NFL experience places him fourth in this ranking for the time being with potential to obviously move up. His talent is undeniable, but it remains to be seen how he will perform at the next level.