Sure, the Minnesota Vikings won the NFC North last season, but Aaron Rodgers played only seven games because of a broken collarbone sustained in the Green Bay Packers' Week 6 loss at Minnesota. When healthy, Rodgers is the best quarterback in the league. But the Vikings upgraded at QB by signing prized free agent Kirk Cousins. Will Cousins be enough to keep the Vikings atop the NFC North in 2018, even if Rodgers is healthy all season? ESPN's NFC North writers weigh in.

ESPN Vikings reporter Courtney Cronin: Cousins can't win a Super Bowl on his own, but his signing makes all the difference for a team vying for its first Lombardi Trophy. In terms of the division picture, it's safe to project a two-team race between the Vikings and the Packers for the next few NFC North titles. Chicago is still in the beginning stages of its rebuild, and Detroit didn't do a whole lot to change the outlook of its roster in free agency. Cousins has Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs and Kyle Rudolph at his disposal, one of the best backfields, a solid offensive line (which will continue to be upgraded in the draft), and is playing with the support of the NFL's No. 1 defense. The Vikings' road schedule doesn't do them any favors this season, but against its division foes, Minnesota has key pieces in place to stay on top in 2018 and win back-to-back NFC North titles.

ESPN Packers reporter Rob Demovsky: Not seeing it. Not with Rodgers back healthy. Yes, the Vikings have so many important pieces in place with their defense and coaching staff. But you can bet Rodgers will come back with a vengeance. Remember the last time he broke his collarbone? That was in 2013, and he returned the next season and won his second MVP and led the Packers to the NFC Championship Game. Perhaps Rodgers' 2017 injury was best for the Packers' long-term outlook. If he hadn't gotten hurt, perhaps coach Mike McCarthy might not have changed defensive coordinators from Dom Capers to Mike Pettine, or perhaps the team wouldn't have changed general managers from Ted Thompson to Brian Gutekunst. Those changes might end up being the best thing that could have happened.

ESPN Bears reporter Jeff Dickerson: Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer can say whatever he wants, but the Vikings are 100 percent in Super Bowl-or-bust mode after signing Cousins. The Vikings didn't guarantee Cousins $84 million to only reach the divisional round of the playoffs. That said, I can't discount Green Bay's chances of winning the NFC North if Rodgers is healthy all season. Even at age 34, Rodgers is still the ultimate equalizer; there's no comparison between Rodgers and Cousins. Now, Minnesota appears to have a better supporting cast for its quarterback, not to mention a top-flight defense led by Zimmer. But I just can't guarantee that the Vikings remain atop the division if Rodgers plays in 15-16 games. Minnesota will make the postseason in some fashion, sure, but Rodgers is too dangerous to write off.

ESPN Lions reporter Michael Rothstein: In short, yes, Cousins will be part of the reason the Vikings remain atop the NFC North next season. He won't be the main reason, though. That will be Minnesota's defense, which got stronger in free agency by adding defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson while holding onto the majority of the key players that have made the Vikings an aggressive, devastating unit the past three seasons. That defense will help carry Minnesota even with the day-to-day upgrade at quarterback. Cousins also will have more help on offense with Dalvin Cook back and healthy after missing most of last season because of a torn ACL. With Cook and the receiving options of Diggs, Thielen and Rudolph, Cousins should have a bunch of places to go with the ball. So yes, Cousins will make a difference, but it's the overall strength of the team that should keep Minnesota as the NFC North favorite even with a healthy Rodgers in Green Bay.