NFC North offseason advice: Adrian Peterson's future with Vikings the big question

With free agency starting on March 9, USA TODAY Sports is taking a look at all eight NFL divisions and what could be in store for teams this offseason, as well as the moves they should make. Today, the NFC North ...

CHICAGO BEARS

Prominent free agents: OLB Sam Acho, QB Matt Barkley, K Connor Barth, WR Josh Bellamy, QB Brian Hoyer, WR Alshon Jeffery, OL Ted Larsen, TE Logan Paulsen, S Chris Prosinski, WR Deonte Thompson, WR Marquess Wilson

Cap situation: $52.4 million of cap space, according to overthecap.com.

Primary issues for 2017: The Bears finished last in the division in 2016 — by a wide margin. Both the offense and defense ranked in the middle of the pack league-wide. But Chicago's 31 turnovers were the most in the NFC, and its 11 takeaways the fewest in the NFL — which explains why the team struggled to score yet surrendered so many cheap points. Part of the problem was a revolving door under center, where Jay Cutler and Hoyer were both waylaid by injuries. The Bears also need help in the secondary and at offensive tackle.

Our advice: Reports have the Bears trying to trade Cutler, probably an overdue course of action. Whether they use free agency or take his replacement with the third pick of the draft or in subsequent rounds, it makes sense to re-sign either Hoyer or Barkley as a bridge. Given Jeffery's 2016 suspension for a PED violation and his injury history, he's not worth a second franchise tag at $17.5 million and probably not a long-term investment at anything other than some kind of hometown discount given the emergence of Cameron Meredith. Chicago has the resources to pursue a young corner like A.J. Bouye, Logan Ryan or Trumaine Johnson and/or blocking help — maybe Ricky Wagner or Sebastian Vollmer — and would be wise to do so.

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DETROIT LIONS

Prominent free agents: RB Joique Bell, WR Anquan Boldin, S Rafael Bush, LB Josh Bynes, QB Dan Orlovsky, T Riley Reiff, WR Andre Roberts, DE Devin Taylor, DT Tyrunn Walker, G Larry Warford

Cap situation: $32.8 million of cap space, according to overthecap.com.

Primary issues for 2017: The postseason trip was a pleasant surprise, courtesy of QB Matthew Stafford's frequent heroics in his first year without WR Calvin Johnson. Still, this club — the only NFC playoff team that was outscored overall in 2016 — has holes. Detroit allowed opposing quarterbacks a collective 106.5 passer rating, worst in the league. Offensively, the Lions didn't have anyone rush for more than 357 yards. And they are set to take hits on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Our advice: There are short- and long-term considerations here. Stafford's contract expires after the 2017 season (the same goes for DE Ziggy Ansah and S Glover Quin), and given his importance and continued development, it certainly makes more sense to extend him now rather than grant added leverage in 2018. Losing Reiff and Warford, who manned the right side of the O-line, would be a blow, but it's probably not worth a huge expenditure for either given other issues. GM Bob Quinn might be best served to pay Stafford, then go bargain shopping for line depth, a linebacker and perhaps a veteran running back to complement Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick after the first wave of free agency has passed.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Prominent free agents: TE Jared Cook, DB Micah Hyde, DE Datone Jones, RB Eddie Lacy, G T.J. Lang, RB Christine Michael, OLB Julius Peppers, OLB Nick Perry, CB Sam Shields, RB James Starks, C J.C. Tretter

Cap situation: $41.0 million of cap space, according to overthecap.com.

Primary issues for 2017: Similar to Detroit, Green Bay was ineffective running the ball and stopping the pass — issues that were apparent even during the Packers' second-half surge and trio of playoff games. With a full offseason to adjust — and maybe with a sidekick added via the draft — converted WR Ty Montgomery seems capable of steadying the ground game, but the defense still looms as a worry.

Our advice: GM Ted Thompson is notorious for eschewing outside free agents despite the contributions players like Cook, Peppers and S Charles Woodson have made over the years when Thompson has loosened the pursestrings. QB Aaron Rodgers has already made a public endorsement for Cook, whose return to the lineup coincided with the team's late-season hot streak after he filled a void that had lingered since Jermichael Finley was forced to retire. Thompson does tend to reinvest in his own, so it seems likely that Hyde and, more importantly, Perry will deservedly receive offers. As important as Lang has been to protecting Rodgers, he may have to take a team-friendly deal to remain given his age (29) and injuries. But considering Rodgers' own advancing age — he'll turn 34 next season — Thompson should also strongly consider a splashy signing that could put this team over the top. Patriots ILB Dont'a Hightower and/or Bills CB Stephon Gilmore are the types of made-to-order performers who are young yet perfectly address some of Green Bay's glaring deficiencies.

MORE NFL OFFSEASON ADVICE

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AFC West advice: Broncos, Chiefs face decisions at quarterback

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Prominent free agents: RB Adrian Peterson, RB Matt Asiata, TE Rhett Ellison, G Brandon Fusco, LB Chad Greenway, QB Shaun Hill, T Matt Kalil, P Jeff Locke, CB Captain Munnerlyn, CB Terence Newman, KR/WR Cordarrelle Patterson, T Andre Smith

Cap situation: $21.4 million of cap space, according to overthecap.com.

Primary issues for 2017: A team that cratered to 8-8 after a 5-0 start faces some major decisions. GM Rick Spielman has the least amount of cap room in the division and no first-round pick after his deal with the Philadelphia Eagles last September for QB Sam Bradford. No team had fewer rushing yards in 2016 than Minnesota, which was decimated by injuries to RB Adrian Peterson and the offensive line. A healthy Peterson could go a long way toward revitalizing the offense ... but not for the $18 million he's currently owed for 2017 given he's about to turn 32.

Our advice: First on Spielman's to-do list must be solving the Peterson dilemma, as the running back is now set to hit free agency after his 2017 contract option was not exercised. It seems like Peterson wants to stay (at the right price), and he can probably still be effective — especially if he cedes enough of the load to Jerick McKinnon. Regardless, Spielman needs the financial giveback as free agency is Minnesota’s best hope of putting a functioning line in front of Peterson and Bradford, who dinked and dunked his way through the season to avoid constant pressure. Head coach Mike Zimmer's previous job was on the Cincinnati Bengals staff, so this might be a good time for him to recruit blockers like Andrew Whitworth or Kevin Zeitler north. And with Hill now 37, Minnesota must also take a serious look at a more durable backup for Bradford given there's no guarantee Teddy Bridgewater will play in 2017.

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Follow Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis

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