Next up in my ‘Breakout Player‘ series is the NFC North. The North just gets tougher every season, and the same has been true throughout this offseason. The teams have reloaded and expect new players to make an immediate impact. But some have players on the roster already to be that difference-maker.

Here’s a breakout player for each team in the NFC North.

Chicago Bears – Breakout Player: Darnell Wright, OT

Darnell Wright struggled early in his career with the Chicago Bears. The 10th selection of the 2023 draft, Wright gave up 51 pressures in his rookie season, But since then, he has only improved.

In 2025, he gave up 24 pressures and three sacks, which is miles better than what he allowed in his rookie season. With the hiring of Ben Johnson, Wright flourished in the offense that’s been presented to him. He’s 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds and mauls in the run game. The Johnson scheme likes to run the ball, which is where Wright accelerated last season, posting an 82.8 run-blocking grade on PFF.

2026 could be the year Wright fully breaks out, earning All-Pro status. He’s gotten better every season, and being under Johnson for a second year in a row, he’ll understand what’s expected of him even more. Expect Wright to fully blossom into the player he was expected to be when he came out of Tennessee.

Green Bay Packer – Breakout Player: Matthew Golden, WR

The crowd roared when the Green Bay Packers took Matthew Golden in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. It was the first time the team had taken a wide receiver in the first round since 2002 with the selection of Javon Walker.

Packers fans expected more from him. He didn’t fully start throughout the 2025 season and totaled 445 yards with one touchdown in his rookie year (came in the postseason). Golden was viewed as one of the better receivers in the 2025 draft, so the expectation is that he’d help Packers quarterback Jordan Love take another step.

A big reason why Golden didn’t see as much playing time was the crowded receiver room of Green Bay. This offseason, the team let Romeo Doubs walk and traded away Dontayvion Wicks. The role of Golden will be expanded in 2026, so he’ll be relied on to be that first-round type of playmaker he was coming out of college.

Minnesota Vikings – Breakout Player: Dallas Turner, EDGE

The Minnesota Vikings gave up four total picks to go up and select Dallas Turner in the 2024 NFL draft. Making a move like that typically means the team believes in the player they’re selecting and expects them to be a part of their plans for years to come.

But Turner didn’t see much time in his rookie year, as the Vikings had edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel starting at both edge spots.

Fast-forward two years, and Greenard is with the Philadelphia Eagles. Turner will have to step up to the full-time starting role and be the type of pass rusher the Vikings expect him to be.

In 2025, Turner played 702 snaps and totaled 42 pressures, including nine sacks. Both numbers are significantly better than his rookie season. It’ll be year three of Turner in the Brian Flores scheme, too. He has the juice on the edge; it’s all about putting it together for him. He’ll have the chance now, and Minnesota fans hope he can fully break out in 2026.

Detroit Lions – Breakout Player: Isaac TeSlaa, WR

If you watch Isaac TeSlaa highlights from last season, it will most likely include a crazy catch for a touchdown or an acrobatic catch he made that looks impossible. He had 16 receptions last year, and six went for touchdowns.

This year, the Arkansas product is ready to make strides in the Detroit Lions offense and solidify himself as the No. 3 receiver on the team. Kaliff Raymond was the third receiver last season, but he’s now on the Bears.

The door’s wide open for TeSlaa to make a significant impact. And if he plays as he did in 2025, with his limited sample size, the Lions will have one of the better starting trios in the entire league.