Training camp is the best part of the season for 31 NFL teams. Unheralded 7th-round picks do well against players who weren't even drafted, former busts are finally breaking through, and the token fat guy lost weight, or the token skinny guy put on 15 pounds of muscle. Everything is positive (unless you're Adam Schein) until the season starts. Let's go over what's happening with NFC North teams in training camp. 

Detroit Lions

• Sam LaPorta has looked the part of starting tight end and may already be Jared Goff's favorite target. 
• Jahmyr Gibbs and Jordan Howard are attempting to be the same kind of RB pairing that Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram were during Dan Campbell's time with the Saints. It will be interesting to see if the sub-190 pound Gibbs and bad Howard can play as well as the Saints dup. 
• Second-year WR Jameson Williams is getting a ton of run because he will be suspended for the first six games. He could be part of an impressive group of unique skill players once he comes back. That said, until he comes back the team's number 2 receiver will either be Josh Reynolds, Denzil Mims, or Marvin Jones Jr. Yuck. 
• The battle between Aidan Hutchinson and Penei Sewell has been epic. Both players could take a step forward into pro-bowler land. 
• C.J. Gardner-Johnson has started at safety so far. This is a plus for Packers fans. CJGJ has been one of the best slot corners in the league over the past five years but was just OK as a deep safety last year.
• A pre-draft favorite of Packers fans, Brian Branch, has been the starter in the slot. 
• College edge Josh Paschal has gotten a lot of run at defensive tackle in rush situations so far - possibly signaling that the team is going to try to bring pressure with four instead of the blitz heavy approach of Aaron Glenn's first twp seasons. 

Chicago Bears

• The two biggest pieces of news for the run-first Bears are both tight-end related. They signed Marcedes Lewis to a one-year deal and, for some reason, paid Cole Kmet more per year over a 4-year contract than Saquon Barkley got for one year. 
• Rumors are running rampant that the team could be in the mix to trade for Jonathan Taylor and then sign him to a big extension. Nothing could be more Bears-like than having the most salary cap space in the league and using it to sign two off-ball linebackers, extend a meh tight end, and then sign a running back who they spent a premium pick trading for. All while betting on the worst passing quarterback in the league. But, maybe, I'm being too negative. 
• One area where Justin Fields has looked good as a passer is throwing the ball to DJ Moore. You may be surprised to learn that Moore already has more receiving yards in his career than any receiver in Bears' history. 
• The Bears also spent a little money at edge, signing journeyman Yannick Ngakoue to a one-year $10.5mm deal. Ngakoue has shown a lot of pass-rush prowess in schemes like what the Bears run, but he is undersized, bad against the run, and is on the downside of his career. DeMarcus Walker, who I just had to Google and has apparently been in the league since 2017, will start opposite Ngakoue.
• In potential news, Jordan Love may sign adoption papers for the team as soon as week 1 this season. 

Minnesota Vikings

• Most recently, the team signed former Patriots bust N'Keal Harry and gave him Adrian Peterson's number. 
• TJ Hockenson (an eh? tight end, one tier above a meh tight end) isn't participating in team drills as he holds in for a new contract. Hockenson was one of Counsin's favorite third-down targets after he joined the team last year, let's hope they pay him more than Christian McCafrey. 
• In a bad move for Packers fans, the Vikings managed to come to a new agreement with Danielle Hunter last week. Hunter was sneakily still a top-10 edge rusher last season and could easily be the most important piece of Brian Flores' new defense. 
• First-round pick Jordan Addison's progress has been hampered by an undisclosed injury and a citation for going 140 MPH in a 55 MPH zone. Addison was the best receiver in college football in 2021 but took a step back in 2022. Addison will likely be able to reach his full potential on the Vikings with Justin Jefferson taking away coverage. 
•  Za'Darius Smith got shipped out, Danielle Hunter got a raise, and TJ Hockenson is holding in, that leaves Kirk Cousins. The 34 year-old QB is in the last year of his deal and has said he wants to end his career with the Vikings. Will the team give in and pay him? Or do they risk losing Justin Jefferson's prime tanking for a new QB? If they keep Cousins, are they destined to stay in QB purgatory?