Chicago Bears fans had plenty to smile about after Week 1, and Green Bay handed them the kind of satisfaction that never gets old. The Packers built a big cushion against a Minnesota team that had to lean on backup quarterback Carson Wentz, then watched the whole thing fall apart in the fourth quarter. By the end, Green Bay had coughed up 22 points and turned what looked like a comfortable win into another familiar-looking collapse.
For Bears fans, the late-game unraveling probably felt like déjà vu. Green Bay controlled the game for three quarters, with Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love both posting strong numbers, but once Minnesota landed its first real punch, the Packers never recovered. Chicago supporters have seen enough of these finishes to recognize the pattern: a team that can look sharp for most of the afternoon and still leave the door wide open when it matters most.
That has become a real issue for the Packers, one that stretches back to last season when injuries were used as part of the explanation for why they couldn’t close games out. Now it looks less like a one-off and more like a defining flaw. Even against a Vikings roster that was supposed to sit near the bottom of the NFC North, Green Bay couldn’t protect a lead that should have been safe.
The quarterback change only added to the embarrassment. Chicago fans could point to Green Bay’s own role in the mess after the Packers took a dirty show on Kyler Murray. Murray was completely lost in the game, and Wentz came in as a clear upgrade, clearly catching Green Bay off guard and putting together an impressive afternoon.
From a Bears perspective, the bigger takeaway is simple: a rival that keeps melting down late is a rival that can be pushed aside. Green Bay’s inability to finish against a team expected to struggle in the division only strengthens Chicago’s belief that the North is there to be taken. And if the Packers keep showing this same weakness, it could have major implications when the Bears and Packers meet twice in 2026.
That possibility alone is enough to keep Chicago fans locked in on what comes next. If Green Bay really is headed for another season of late-game breakdowns, even missing out on a wild-card spot wouldn’t be out of the question. For Bears fans, that would be a welcome turn - and a chance to see the hated rival counted out early while Chicago tries to establish itself as the class of the North.
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Bears Center Battle May Be Heating Up Faster Than Expected
The Bears brought in Garrett Bradbury to steady the middle of the offensive line, but the early returns have given the team plenty to think about. After arriving from the Patriots, Bradbury drew a low grade from Pro Football Focus and was flagged for a holding penalty in Week 1, the kind of start that can quickly put a veteran center under a brighter spotlight in Chicago.
Logan Jones has made the competition even more interesting. The rookie second-round pick has already earned praise from coach Ben Johnson for his mental fortitude and football IQ, and that kind of trust can matter fast when a team is looking for answers up front. If Bradbury does not clean things up soon, the Bears may not wait long to see whether Jones is ready for a bigger role. [Read more 🡒]
Bears May Need Zavion Thomas Sooner Than Expected Against Vikings
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Brian Flores has built a reputation for forcing quarterbacks to adjust, and Johnsons history against that defense gives Chicago a reason to feel it can answer with some creative work of its own. If the Bears want another way to stress the Vikings on Sunday, Thomas is one of the more obvious candidates to help stretch the field and create space, which is why his role bears watching even if his rookie debut offered only a glimpse. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Defense Has No Excuse Against A Shorthanded Vikings Offense
Minnesotas offense is walking into Week 2 with a much thinner margin for error after running back Jordan Mason was set to land on injured reserve with a thumb injury, and the quarterback situation is shaky as well with Kyler Murray in concussion protocol. For the Bears, that changes the tenor of a matchup they already badly need to clean up defensively after a rough Week 1 showing.
Chicago does not have much room to waste an opportunity like this. Even with the Vikings shorthanded, the Bears will need to tackle better, tighten up in coverage and do the little things that were missing last week if they want to make Minnesota pay for the absences and get their season pointed in the right direction. [Read more 🡒]