The Chicago Bears were riding high after a dominant 31-3 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 15 - a statement game that showed just how far this team has come. But the celebration didn’t last long. Just hours later, news broke out of Green Bay that could dramatically shift the landscape of the NFC North heading into Week 16.
Late in the Packers' game against the Denver Broncos, star edge rusher Micah Parsons went down on a non-contact play - and the early reports are grim. It’s believed Parsons suffered a torn ACL, which would end his 2025 season.
For Green Bay, that’s a massive gut punch. Parsons has been nothing short of elite this year, leading the team with 12.5 sacks and continuing his historic run - he’s now the only player in NFL history to notch at least 12 sacks in each of his first five seasons. That kind of consistency and dominance off the edge is rare, and losing him this late in the season is a major blow for a Packers defense that’s leaned heavily on his playmaking ability.
This isn’t the first time Parsons has had to battle through injury - he missed four games last season with Dallas - but this one looks like it’ll shut the door on his 2025 campaign entirely.
For the Bears, the timing of this injury changes the equation heading into their Week 16 matchup with Green Bay. No one wants to see a player go down, especially someone as electric and game-changing as Parsons. But from a pure football standpoint, Chicago just caught a serious break.
Parsons was a nightmare for the Bears in their Week 14 loss to the Packers. He was everywhere - seven quarterback pressures, six hurries, two QB hits, and a tackle that helped swing momentum in Green Bay’s favor.
The Packers used him like a chess piece, moving him across the formation and forcing the Bears’ offensive line to constantly adjust. And more often than not, he won those matchups.
Without him, the Bears’ offensive line can breathe a bit easier. They no longer have to account for one of the league’s premier pass rushers lining up on either edge or stunting through the middle. That simplifies the protection schemes and gives quarterback Justin Fields a little more time to operate - which could be the difference in a game that’s likely to be tight.
Still, Chicago shouldn’t stray from what’s working. Even with Parsons out, the Bears’ best path forward is on the ground.
The status of wideouts Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III remains uncertain due to injuries, so the offense should continue to lean on the backfield tandem of Kyle Monangai and D’Andre Swift. Both backs have shown they can carry the load, and against a Packers front that just lost its most disruptive force, the run game becomes even more critical.
This is a pivotal moment for Chicago. With Parsons sidelined and momentum on their side, the Bears have a real shot to flip the script against Green Bay - and maybe even take control of the NFC North. The stakes are high, the opportunity is there, and now it’s up to the Bears to capitalize.