In this episode of Who Will Be King on the Fans First Sports Network, hosts Pay (Frustrated Chicago Sports Fans), June and Foster (Bleachers to Speakers), and Dave (Vikings 1st & SKOL) dive into the 2025 NFL Combine, previewing NFC North prospects and tampering chatter. Keywords: NFL Combine 2025, NFC North, Bears, Lions, Vikings, Packers, draft prospects, tampering. Hook: As the “Underwear Olympics” kick off, which team will crown its draft king?

The NFC North is heating up as the 2025 NFL Combine approaches, and fans of the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers are buzzing with anticipation. In this episode of Who Will Be King, hosts Pay, June, Foster, and Dave deliver a raucous, insightful roundup of their teams’ offseason moves, draft dreams, and the infamous “TamperCon” shenanigans unfolding in Indianapolis. From linebacker prospects to quarterback dilemmas, this podcast captures the pulse of a division poised for dominance. With the combine starting February 27, the hosts dissect press conferences, roster needs, and players to watch, all while trading barbs and optimism in equal measure. Here’s your front-row seat to the NFC North’s pre-draft drama.

Combine Fever: The Underwear Olympics Begin

The NFL Combine, dubbed the “Underwear Olympics” by Foster and the “Spandex Showcase” by Pay, kicks off Thursday, February 27, with defensive linemen and linebackers taking the field first. It’s a pivotal week for college prospects looking to boost their draft stock—and for NFC North teams aiming to solidify their rosters. “This is where you make your money,” Pay says, citing Colts QB Anthony Richardson as a prime example of a combine standout who turned athleticism into a paycheck.

June ranks the combine a “five out of five” on his football calendar, eager to see “40 times, bench presses, the height and weight of these athletes.” Foster echoes the excitement: “We all look forward to watching these freak athletes run around.” For Dave, it’s a chance to scout talent for the Vikings, even if he’s resigned to missing out on top-tier prospects like Michigan’s Mason Graham. The hosts agree: the combine is less about necessity in the GPS-tracking era and more about the spectacle of seeing “fast-twitch muscles live and in person,” as Pay puts it.

TamperCon: The Exec’s Happy Hour Hustle

While prospects sweat it out in Indy, NFL executives are sipping cocktails and bending rules at what Dave calls “TamperCon.” With the new league year starting March 12 and legal tampering opening March 10, this week is prime time for backroom deals. “This is where the execs make their money,” Pay notes, “shaking hands, cutting deals, buying drinks—whatever gets the job done.”

The hosts speculate on the fallout. Dave highlights the Vikings’ delicate dance with QB Sam Darnold, whose agent might demand a $41 million franchise tag—a price too steep for Minnesota. “They never said they wanted him back,” Dave observes, dissecting Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s press conference. “They want optionality at the quarterback position.” Meanwhile, Pay prays the Rams keep Matthew Stafford, whose free agency could clog the QB market and push rookie passers down the draft board—benefiting the Bears at No. 10.

Foster and June sidestep tampering talk, focusing instead on the Lions’ roster stability. But the specter of Myles Garrett looms large. Pay begs Cleveland to keep the star pass rusher: “I don’t want him in Detroit—that’s scary. I don’t want him in Minnesota—that should be illegal. And if he goes to Green Bay, I quit.”

Bears Optimism: Ben Johnson Sparks Hope

Pay is riding high on Bears head coach Ben Johnson, hired fresh off his stint as Detroit’s offensive coordinator. “He’s electric, magnetic,” Pay gushes, contrasting Johnson with predecessor Matt Eberflus, whom he calls “tepid” and “a liar.” Johnson’s press conference emphasized building a staff of “character guys” who challenge him, including ex-head coach Dennis Allen as defensive coordinator. “I like that he didn’t hire his homies,” Pay says. “We’ve done that too much.”

But his optimism sours over GM Ryan Poles’ contract extension. “That irked me to no end,” Pay admits, baffled that Poles got a vote of confidence after a 5-win season and a second coaching hire. Still, he clings to hope, eyeing Chiefs guard Trey Smith as a free-agent prize. “Trey Smith agrees to a $23 million a year deal—five years, $100 million,” Pay predicts. “Cap’s going up, baby.”

Lions Reload: Like-Minded Grit

Detroit’s Dan Campbell took center stage in his presser, addressing the loss of coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn. “He’s big on not blocking guys from taking opportunities,” Pay says, praising Campbell’s character. The Lions’ new hires—defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard and offensive coordinator TBD—lack the name recognition of their predecessors, but June and Foster remain cautiously optimistic.

Sheppard, a former player under Campbell, steps into his first DC role. “It’s wait and see,” June says. “He’s been in the system, coached alongside Aaron Glenn.” Foster adds, “He’s not as notable as a Randle El, but not all former players make good coaches—Ben Johnson didn’t play past middle school.” With a stacked offense—two 1,000-yard rushers, two 1,000-yard receivers, and an emerging tight end—June figures the new OC “can’t really mess this up.”

The Lions’ front seven could get nastier if rumors of a Miles Garrett trade materialize. “Hutch is back running full sprints,” Pay notes of Aidan Hutchinson’s recovery. “You might have something dangerous cooking.”

Vikings’ Optionality: Darnold or Bust?

Minnesota’s brass—head coach Kevin O’Connell (KOC) and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah—played it coy at their presser. “They want optionality at the quarterback position,” Dave explains, a term Kwesi dropped seven times. With Darnold’s price tag ballooning, the Vikings might pivot to rookie J.J. McCarthy or a cheaper free agent like Daniel Jones. “They’re willing to let him go,” Dave predicts.

KOC offered an update on left tackle Christian Darrisaw, sidelined by an ACL injury. “He’s ahead of schedule,” Dave relays, though he warns of a performance lag come Week 1. Backup Cam Robinson could fill in, but Dave doubts he’ll return: “He’s going to get good money on the free market.” The Vikings’ tampering efforts will focus on gauging costs and exploring trades—perhaps for a defensive lineman like Kenneth Grant.

Packers’ Love Fest: Giddy but Worried

Green Bay’s Matt LaFleur was conspicuously absent from the podcast’s guest list (“We don’t have Packers representation because they’re trash,” Pay quips), but Dave recaps his presser. “He’s giddy about Jordan Love,” Dave says, noting LaFleur’s praise for the QB’s “hell of a year.” Yet concerns linger over wide receivers Christian Watson (injury-prone) and Romeo Doubs (inconsistent). “He’s worried about different parts of the team,” Dave adds, including a need for pass rush.

The Packers also sparked division-wide eye rolls by whining about the “Tush Push” play. “I don’t disagree with Green Bay here,” Pay admits reluctantly. “It’s a cheap play.” Dave counters, “I just find it weird they’re the ones crying.”

Draft Dreams: Prospects to Watch

The combine’s first day spotlights defensive linemen and linebackers, and each host has a wish list. Foster eyes Alabama’s Jihad Campbell for Detroit: “He’s got an explosive first step, coverage instincts, and versatility.” Pay covets Marshall’s Mike Green for Chicago: “He pops off the tape—a real dog linebacker.” Dave pines for Michigan’s Kenneth Grant at No. 24 for Minnesota: “I’d love to see him fall and dominate with Brian Flores.”

Top prospects like Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders, Penn State’s Abdul Carter, and Idaho RB Ashton Jeanty won’t participate, frustrating June: “I like to see the 40 times.” Dave sees a trend: “The blue-chippers sit out—you can only hurt yourself.” Pay counters, “An impressive showing locks you into a top-10 spot. That’s money.”

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The Road Ahead: Free Agency Looms

With the combine wrapping up next week and free agency kicking off March 10, the NFC North is at a crossroads. Will the Bears now trade for Trey Smith? Can the Lions snag Mike Green or Miles Garrett? Will the Vikings retain Darnold or pivot? And what will the Packers do with their Love-fueled optimism? “Let’s get these quarterbacks out the way early,” Pay pleads, dreaming of a draft windfall at No. 10.

As Dave signs off, “Like, subscribe, and rate us on your favorite podcast aggregator,” the hosts leave fans with a rallying cry: the battle for NFC North supremacy starts now. Tune in next Wednesday at 5:15 p.m. EST on Fans First Sports Network for the latest twists in this wild offseason saga.

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Follow us on Twitter ✖️ for more updates… Pay @TheRealPayday, host of the Frustrated Chicago Sports Fans, June @asgjune & M Foster @Mbrfosterchild, hosts of the Bleachers To Speakers [Lions] podcast, and Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare, from @Vikings1stSKOL. This has been a joint podcast production partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN and Fans First Sports Network’s NFL feed @FFSN_NFL.