As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, set to unfold in the chilly parking lot of Green Bay’s Lambeau Field, the NFC North is buzzing with anticipation. On the Who Will Be King podcast, a Fans First Sports Network production, hosts June and Foster from Bleachers to Speakers (Detroit Lions), Pay from Frustrated Chicago Sports Fans (Chicago Bears), and Dave from Vikings 1st & SKOL (Minnesota Vikings) deliver a spirited roundup that captures the essence of this storied division. With just seven and a half days until the draft, the quartet dives into mock drafts, revisits painful trade memories, and debates the players who could shape their teams’ futures. Their banter, laced with regional pride and playful jabs, underscores the fierce rivalries that make the NFC North a football crucible.

“We’re in that ugly state, north of us,” June quips, taking a swipe at Green Bay’s draft hosting duties. “It’s still in an ugly direction from us.” The sentiment sets the tone for a discussion that’s as much about camaraderie as it is about competition. From Detroit’s emotional attachment to Jameson Williams to Chicago’s quest for a foundational offensive lineman, the episode is a treasure trove of insights for fans hungry for draft-week intel.

Painful Trades That Still Sting

The conversation kicks off with a reflective look at trades that left lasting scars on each fanbase. June opens up about the Detroit Lions’ 2021 trade of quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff and draft picks. “I was kind of frustrated, I was disgusted,” June admits. “I didn’t wanna see Matt go. I was not a Goff fan at the time.” The trade, initially seen as a sign of tanking, yielded a Super Bowl for the Rams and a revitalized Lions squad under Goff, now a playoff contender. Yet, the emotional weight of losing Stafford lingers.

Dave, broadcasting from his daughter’s basement due to a house move, recounts the Minnesota Vikings’ infamous 1989 Herschel Walker trade, widely regarded as one of the NFL’s worst. “Our owners got the bright idea that we needed Herschel Walker as the final piece to go to the Super Bowl,” Dave says, his voice tinged with regret. The trade, which sent multiple players and picks to the Dallas Cowboys, fueled Dallas’ dynasty while leaving Minnesota in a decade-long rut. “It was a disaster because we lost so many good players,” Dave laments, noting how coach Chuck Burns misused Walker’s talents.

Pay, representing Chicago, shifts the focus to non-football trades that hit hard, like the Chicago Cubs’ post-2016 World Series trades of Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo. For Bears-specific moves, he points to the acquisition of quarterback Jay Cutler in 2009 as a shocking but exciting moment. However, he draws parallels to the trade of NBA star Derrick Rose, whose injury-plagued career made his departure bittersweet. “They knew that Derrick Rose wasn’t Derrick Rose,” Pay reflects. “He was on his way before that injury.”

These trade stories set the stage for the draft discussion, highlighting the high stakes and emotional investment each host brings to their team’s future.

Mock Draft Madness: Picks and Preferences

With the draft looming, the hosts delve into their Fans First Sports Network (FFSN) mock draft, a two-round exercise that sparked heated debates and strategic maneuvering. Pay, with the Bears’ No. 10 pick, reveals his attempt to trade up with the Carolina Panthers to snag Georgia defensive standout Jalon Walker. “He whipped everybody,” Pay enthuses, praising Walker’s athleticism and technique. When the trade fell through, Pay settled for Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou, a “Plan B” choice with strong hands and footwork, though his 6’3” frame raises concerns. “If the Bears go ahead and get him at 10, I’m loving that pick,” Pay says, envisioning a revamped offensive line.

Dave, picking for the Vikings at No. 24, selects East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., a high-upside player whose ACL injury last season dropped his stock. “If he hadn’t blown his ACL, he would’ve been a top 10 to 15 corner,” Dave argues, confident in Revel’s fit under defensive coordinator Brian Flores. However, Dave’s heart lies with North Dakota State offensive lineman Gray Zabel, who went to Baltimore shortly after. “Him at left guard and then eventually moving to center for the Vikings would be absolutely brilliant,” Dave says, revealing his love for “big round bellies” on the line.

Foster, representing the Lions at No. 28, opts for Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr., edging out Mykel Williams in a coin-flip decision. “He ran a 4.47, which put him in the upper echelon as far as edge rushers,” Foster notes, highlighting Pearce’s speed and potential to develop strength. Yet, Foster’s dream pick is Mike Green, a prospect he acknowledges likely won’t be available. “I could very well see us going offensive line at that spot as well,” he adds, trusting Lions GM Brad Holmes’ versatile draft strategy.

The mock draft segment underscores the hosts’ deep knowledge and the strategic chess game of draft week, with each pick carrying the weight of their team’s aspirations.

Rumors and Trades: Detroit’s Dilemma

The episode takes a dramatic turn as June and Foster address swirling rumors about the Detroit Lions’ roster, particularly regarding wide receiver Jameson Williams. A proposed trade with the Dallas Cowboys would see Detroit swap their No. 28 pick for Dallas’ No. 12 pick, plus a third-rounder, with Williams heading to Texas. “I don’t want Jamo to leave,” June declares, his emotional attachment clear. Foster echoes the sentiment, noting Williams’ development despite off-field issues. “That departure would be bittersweet,” Foster says, wary of replacing Williams with Texas receiver Isaiah Bond, who carries similar baggage.

The Lions’ cornerback situation also sparks discussion, with Amik Robertson potentially being pushed out by new additions and the return of injured players. Beat writers have even floated trading linebacker Alex Anzalone, a move June finds baffling. “He’s our best linebacker in my opinion,” June says. “What are we doing?”

In Chicago, Pay celebrates the Bears’ re-signing of nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon, now the NFL’s highest-paid at his position. “He brings a certain tenacity you love to see out of the secondary,” Pay says, hopeful for extensions for players like Jaquan Brisker. Dave, meanwhile, reports a quiet Vikings camp, though he hints at league-wide trade buzz and speculation about quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins and Shedeur Sanders. “This is the first time since like 2002 that all 32 teams have a first round pick,” Dave notes, anticipating draft-day chaos.

Draft Day Dreams and Nightmares

As the hosts look ahead to draft week, June poses a provocative question: which position or player would make them cringe if selected? Dave points to an edge rusher for the Vikings, given their depth with All-Pros and emerging talents like Dallas Turner. “They’re gonna be playing rock, paper, scissors for hours just to figure out who’s getting snaps,” he jokes. Pay vehemently opposes a running back or kicker at No. 10 for the Bears, still stung by last year’s fourth-round punter pick. “Ryan Poles, you are not allowed to draft a punter or kicker in this draft at all,” Pay warns, emphasizing the need for foundational players over “luxury picks.”

June and Foster agree that a tight end at No. 28 would infuriate Lions fans, given Sam LaPorta’s unicorn-like rookie success. “We have a starter at tight end,” June insists. Foster adds quarterback and running back to the list, wary of signaling a lack of faith in Jared Goff or Hendon Hooker. “That would speak volumes,” Foster says, referencing Atlanta’s controversial Michael Penix Jr. pick last year.

The hosts’ fears and hopes paint a vivid picture of the high stakes awaiting each team in Green Bay, where every selection could redefine their trajectory.

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Looking Ahead: Draft Week and Beyond

As the episode wraps, the hosts outline their upcoming content, from Pay’s NFL Draft watch party to Foster’s Knicks-Pistons playoff preview. Dave teases a deep dive into Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s draft strategy, while June urges listeners to subscribe to Bleachers to Speakers on YouTube, nearing 250 subscribers. “We remember when we just had one,” June says, grateful for their growing audience.

The conversation ends with a nod to the draft’s unpredictability, from Cam Ward’s potential as the No. 1 pick to Arch Manning’s rumored transfer to Ole Miss (a point of contention among the hosts and verified that he is staying at Texas). “The season may be over, but the talk never stops,” June declares, encapsulating the enduring passion of NFC North fandom.

For fans of the Bears, Lions, and Vikings, Who Will Be King offers a front-row seat to the drama, strategy, and heart of draft week. As June, Foster, Pay, and Dave await the moment when their teams’ futures are shaped, their voices echo the hopes and fears of a division where every pick is a chance to claim the crown.

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Follow us on Twitter ✖️ for more updates… Pay @TheRealPayday, host of the Frustrated Chicago Sports Fans, June @asgjune & 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.