The National Football League has been designed to promote a level playing field, something that can be best seen during this past offseason when the rest of the NFC North teams seemingly made grounds on the Green Bay Packers.

The Minnesota Vikings, who had the most to gain this offseason, did just that. They got a new coach, a new quarterback, spent $100-plus million on improving its defense and still have the best running back in all of football.

Not far behind were the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. Both of these teams added players and coaches designed to level the NFC North playing field and make it more competitive.

However, the Green Bay Packers were also right up there in making improvements to a team that won its third straight NFC North Division in 2013 and have the best quarterback in all of football.

Julius Peppers will wear number 56 in 2014 with his new team – the Green Bay Packers.Photo courtesy of packers.com

Defense was the number one target for the Green Bay Packers this offseason and Packers general manager Ted Thompson did take the necessary steps to help make that happen. He re-signed cornerback Sam Shields, signed defensive lineman Julius Peppers during free agency, and drafted Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, which will go a long way in helping to solidify the Packers weakest points.

Surprisingly, Thompson also bolstered the wide receiver position by drafting three high-quality players who will compete for a spot on the 53-man roster.

So, Thompson addressed both sides of the ball and has started the process of building another talented team that will once again compete for a division title.

But was it enough to keep the Packers at the top in light of all the changes their division rivals made this offseason?

That remains to be seen. We could provide all kinds of statistics and formulas, but we all know championships aren’t won in the offseason. Improvements can be made, but until the teams line up against one another when the games count, there’s no scientific way to analyze improvement.

Without question, the NFC North has taken steps across the board – steps that will surely make for an incredibly exciting and unpredictable season in 2014.

Here’s a brief look (courtesy of allgreenbaypackers.com) at all of the additions each of the NFC North teams made this offseason:

Green Bay Packers

Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions

Minnesota Vikings

Let the games begin and let the best team remain standing at the end.

Stay tuned …