The rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears is one of the most historic and intense in all of professional sports—not just the NFL. The animosity between the two fan bases runs deep: Packers fans openly despise the Bears, and Bears fans return the sentiment in kind. But in recent years, something has shifted. This once-fan-driven rivalry has increasingly taken hold among the players themselves—especially those wearing Chicago uniforms.
Much of this evolution can be attributed to the fact that Green Bay has controlled the rivalry for the better part of the last 30 years. Under legendary quarterback Brett Favre, the Packers posted a 22–10 record against Chicago. His successor, Aaron Rodgers, was even more dominant, finishing his career against the Bears with an astounding 24–5 record.
However, in Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season, the Bears finally notched a significant win over the Packers—a 24–22 victory at Lambeau Field. That game marked the first time Chicago had beaten Green Bay since head coach Matt LaFleur took over in 2019. While some downplayed the win due to Green Bay resting key players for the postseason, it was still a massive morale boost for a Bears team that has long lived in the Packers’ shadow. For Chicago fans and players alike, it was arguably the team’s most satisfying win in over half a decade.
Green Bay’s current quarterback, Jordan Love, has shown that he’s more than capable of continuing the Packers’ dominance. In his four matchups against Chicago, Love boasts a 3–1 record, a 121.0 passer rating, 891 passing yards, six touchdowns, and only one interception. Still, the Bears’ recent win has reignited the rivalry in a more personal way.
Enter Caleb Williams, the Bears’ rookie quarterback and former Green Bay fan. During a recent press conference, Williams didn’t mince words when discussing his new archrivals. “I mean, they suck, right?” he said, proudly declaring his 1–0 record at Lambeau Field. That candid remark highlighted how seriously Chicago players are beginning to take the rivalry again.
New Bears head coach Ben Johnson has also embraced the feud. When he was hired, he referenced how much he enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year while serving as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. This kind of open disdain from Chicago’s leadership is a far cry from the quieter, more respectful tone of past years.
In contrast, Packers players and coaches have largely shrugged off the growing war of words. Rather than respond with trash talk, they’ve taken a more measured approach, choosing to let their performance on the field do the talking.
While the rivalry has always burned hot among fans, it now appears to be rekindling among the players themselves, especially in Chicago. Whether this results in a power shift on the field remains to be seen—but one thing is certain: Bears vs. Packers is once again must-watch football.
