In the rugged heart of the NFC North, where football rivalries burn hotter than a Chicago summer, the “Who Will Be King” podcast delivers a no-holds-barred roundup of the division’s 2025 aspirations. Hosted by Pay from Frustrated Chicago Sports Fans (Chicago Bears), alongside June and Foster from Bleachers to Speakers (Detroit Lions), and Dave from Vikings 1st & SKOL (Minnesota Vikings), this Fans First Sports Network production crackles with bold predictions, fiery debates, and unfiltered fan passion. Recorded on May 21, 2025, the episode dives into season forecasts, OTA updates, NFL rule changes, and the simmering drama around Bears’ quarterback Caleb Williams. From Detroit’s playoff reseeding gambit to Green Bay’s failed tush push ban, the hosts tackle it all, capping the show with a “stock market” game betting on young stars like Jaymyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams, and J.J. McCarthy. For fans of the Bears, Lions, Vikings, and the NFC North’s relentless grit, this episode is a must-listen touchdown.

Kicking Off with 2025 Predictions: Optimism Runs High
As the NFL’s Organized Team Activities (OTAs) kick off, the hosts waste no time forecasting the 2025 season, each brimming with optimism for their teams. Pay, representing the Bears, splits his prediction between 11 and 12 wins, citing a potential rest of starters in the final game against Detroit. “I got us at 11 or 12, depending on how that last game goes,” Pay says, noting the Bears’ trio of predictors—himself, Tiff (10-7), and Q (11-6)—reflect cautious hope. Foster and June, Lions faithful, peg Detroit at 11-6 or 12-5, banking on health and offseason upgrades. “I’m feeling 11 and six-ish, 12 and five-ish, same as last year,” June declares.

Dave, the Vikings’ voice, goes boldest, proclaiming a 13-4 record and division crown. “We’re going 13 and four, winning the division, baby,” he asserts, fueling the competitive fire. The hosts acknowledge the May 21 timing breeds positivity, as Pay quips, “We never assume the negative until it slaps us in the face.” These predictions set the stage for a season where the NFC North’s parity promises drama.

OTAs: The First Glimpse of 2025 Potential
With OTAs underway, the episode shifts to the early team-building phase, where players don shorts and dreams take shape. Pay notes the Bears are in day two of OTAs, while Foster estimates Detroit’s start around May 28, and Dave confirms Minnesota’s on May 27. “You have three phases for OTAs,” Pay explains. “First is meet and greet, light conditioning… second is on-field stuff, and third is basically a mini-camp.” The hosts jest about Aaron Rodgers’ notorious OTA absences, underscoring the voluntary nature of these sessions.

For fans, OTAs offer a tantalizing preview, though Pay cautions, “You always look great in shorts.” The discussion highlights the division’s hunger to translate offseason work into regular-season wins, with each team eager to integrate new talent and schemes.

NFL Owners’ Meetings: Playoff Reseeding and Tush Push Turmoil
The episode’s meat lies in dissecting the NFL owners’ meetings, where two NFC North proposals stirred debate. Detroit’s push to reseed playoffs after the first round, based on regular-season records, was pulled at the last minute. Dave explains, “They want to run scenarios and discuss it further… especially with the NFL going to 18 games.” The move aims to keep late-season games meaningful, as last year’s Week 18 saw nine teams rest starters, diluting viewership. June defends the proposal, citing Minnesota’s 14-3 record last season forcing a road wildcard game. “Being in the toughest division, they had to go on the road first round,” he laments.

Green Bay’s bid to ban the tush push, led by a safety-driven plea, fell short in a 22-10 vote, needing 24 for passage. Dave recounts Jason Kelce’s compelling defense: “He did a very convincing presentation that it was a safe, legit play.” The hosts revel in the Packers’ defeat, especially after the Eagles’ 22-10 playoff win over Green Bay, mirrored in the vote. Pay laughs, “The Eagles tweeted a picture of the tush push against the Packers with the caption ‘Push on Cinema.’ I loved it.” June predicts the play’s days are numbered if the Eagles keep winning, as its lack of visual appeal clashes with the NFL’s high-scoring agenda.

Caleb Williams’ Chicago Conundrum: A Quarterback’s Discontent
A fiery segment tackles Bears’ rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, whose pre-draft dissatisfaction with coaches Matt Eberflus and Shane Waldron sparked headlines. Pay doesn’t mince words: “They had no business having the reins to a potential franchise quarterback like Caleb.” He argues Eberflus should’ve been fired alongside Justin Fields, and Waldron’s Seattle hire was a misstep. “Caleb was right. His bosses were stupid,” Pay insists, though he’s optimistic about new leadership in 2025.

The hosts contrast Williams’ admiration for Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, a “quarterback wizard,” with his Chicago reality. Dave revels in the fodder, predicting it’ll fuel trash talk through Week 1’s Bears-Vikings clash. “It’s gonna last at least through Week 1,” he grins. June questions Williams’ long-term commitment, but Pay counters, “In the NFL, if the team wants you, you ain’t going nowhere,” citing Kirk Cousins as a rare exception.

Stock Market Game: Betting on NFC North’s Young Stars
The episode’s highlight is a “stock market” game, where hosts pick young players as investment prospects. Foster chooses Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal over Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, citing Skubal’s Triple Crown-worthy 2024. “He’s the undisputed best pitcher right now,” Foster says, acknowledging Gibbs’ electrifying potential but prioritizing Skubal’s dominance.

Dave, unwavering in his Vikings loyalty, picks quarterback J.J. McCarthy over Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards or Twins’ Byron Buxton. “For a long-term investment, it’s J.J. McCarthy all day long,” he declares, emphasizing football’s dominance in Minnesota. June opts for Lions receiver Jameson Williams over Pistons’ Jaden Ivey, calling him a “volatile stock” like Bitcoin. “I don’t have a lot of money, so I can risk it,” June jokes, noting Williams’ 1,000-yard season versus Ivey’s unproven ceiling.

The game sparks debate on risk versus reliability, with Pay suggesting Williams’ “go to the moon” potential comes with off-field risks, while Ivey offers steadier returns. The segment encapsulates the hosts’ passion for their teams’ futures, blending football with cross-sport comparisons.

The NFL’s Global and Financial Future
The hosts also explore the NFL’s evolving landscape, from international expansion to pay-per-view fears. Pay predicts more global games, like 2026’s Australia matchup, will be packaged for streaming giants like Netflix. “They’re gonna sell it to somebody… and it’s probably gonna come out of our pocket,” he warns. Dave counters with the NFL’s eyeball-driven ad revenue model, but Pay envisions a $69.99 Super Bowl, quipping, “That’s a check.”

The discussion touches on a 2% viewership drop in 2024, blamed on uncompetitive Week 17-18 games, reinforcing the need for playoff reseeding. A nod to NFL players in 2028 Olympic flag football sparks skepticism, with June and Foster citing injury risks, referencing a Patriots player’s career-ending flag football injury. Dave notes Justin Jefferson’s Olympic dreams, but Foster retorts, “You’ll be alright, bud.”

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Closing: Join the NFC North’s Royal Rumble
“Who Will Be King” is more than a podcast—it’s a battleground where NFC North fans’ hopes, gripes, and dreams collide. Pay, June, Foster, and Dave deliver a masterclass in rivalry-fueled analysis, from Caleb Williams’ Bears saga to Detroit’s playoff push and Minnesota’s McCarthy gamble. With laughs, jabs, and insider takes, this episode captures the division’s pulse as the 2025 season looms. Subscribe to Frustrated Chicago Sports Fans, Bleachers to Speakers, and Vikings 1st & SKOL on YouTube, and catch the next clash on Fans First Sports Network. Will the Bears roar, Lions pounce, or Vikings conquer? Tune in to find out who wears the NFC North crown.

FAN WITH US!!!
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.