For Bears fans, the Packers have long been the team at the center of everything. That dynamic has shifted in a big way, and Colston Loveland already sounds like someone who understands exactly what that means.
On the “Bussin' With the Boys” podcast, Loveland drew a direct line between life at Michigan and what he’s seeing in Chicago.
“As far as in the building, ‘What are you doing to beat Ohio State every day,’ that’s how it was in Michigan,” Loveland said. “Every TV, everything.
That’s how it is at the Bears. Everyone’s only talking about the Packers.
You can’t go a day without talking about them, talking about beating them, talking about the bad things. It’s very comparable.”
That mindset makes sense for a player who spent his college career in one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries. At Michigan, Loveland learned that beating Ohio State could feel like the entire mission. Now he’s seeing that same kind of obsession in Chicago.
The difference is that the Bears are no longer living only for one rivalry. They’ve moved into a place where real Super Bowl expectations exist, and they’re coming off a season in which they took control of the division.
Loveland is already part of the reason the Bears feel different. Against the Packers last season, he caught 15 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown in three games. He also played a key role in ending Green Bay’s season, finishing that matchup with eight receptions for 137 yards and a critical two-point conversion.
That kind of production is exactly why Packers fans should expect to keep seeing him in the middle of these games. He closed last season on a strong note after a slow start to his career, and he looks ready to be a problem for Green Bay for a long time.
The NFC North is still a grind, and every team will be coming for the Bears in 2026 and beyond. Ben Johnson’s group is not finished, but it has a strong foundation and plenty of talent.
Put that together with a city, a fan base and an organization that is completely locked in on beating its most hated rival, and the Packers-Bears matchups should keep delivering. And if Caleb Williams ever decides to buy some stock in the divisional rivals, like Rodgers once did, that would only add another layer to it.
In Other News...
One Bears Newcomer Could Make Ryan Poles Look Very Smart
The Bears spent the offseason trying to shore up the middle of their defense, adding three veteran defensive tackles in free agency and then taking Jordan van den Berg in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. It was the kind of depth-building approach Chicago needed after last seasons issues with quarterback pressure and run defense, and it also gave Ryan Poles multiple chances to find a useful piece without having to bet everything on one move.
Neville Gallimore is the one newcomer who stands out as the most intriguing swing. Signed to a two-year, $12 million deal, he arrives as the clearest bet among the free-agent additions, and if he can provide steadier push inside while helping the Bears hold up against the run, the front office will look a lot sharper for having made him the centerpiece of the group. [Read more 🡒]
Bears May Have One Low-Cost Answer To Their Pass Rush Problem
The Bears pass rush remains one of the clearest roster issues heading into the next stretch of team-building, especially after a 2025 season in which Chicago finished second-worst in pass-rush win rate. Outside of Montez Sweat, the defense still lacks a dependable edge threat, and so far the front office has not made a major move to change that.
One possible path has surfaced in the form of a low-cost trade idea, with analyst Moe Moton pointing to Kansas City as a team that could be willing to deal a young defensive end for a late 2027 pick. The appeal is obvious for Chicago: a player with upside, a price that would not cripple future flexibility, and a chance to add another body to a pass-rush group that still needs real help rather than another stopgap. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Are Running Out Of Time To Fix One Lingering Problem
The Bears have spent the offseason trying to shore up a pass rush that never quite held up in 2025, and the concern is easy to see. Montez Sweat did not deliver the kind of impact Chicago needed, Austin Booker still has to prove he can handle a bigger role, and Dayo Odeyingbo is working back from a torn Achilles, leaving the front without much certainty as the roster takes shape.
That is why a veteran like Jadeveon Clowney keeps surfacing as a logical fit. The three-time Pro Bowler was productive for Dallas last season, and his ability to affect the quarterback would give Chicago a proven edge rusher at a spot where the defense badly needs one. For now, though, it remains just a possibility, and the Bears are still waiting to see whether they can turn that interest into an actual move. [Read more 🡒]