The Bears have had a whirlwind of an offseason-and we’re only a few days into February. After a promising 2025 campaign, Chicago’s coaching staff quickly became a hot commodity.
Several assistants have already been plucked away, which has forced new head coach Ben Johnson and the front office to stay on their toes. But amid the chaos, Bears fans got a bit of unexpected good news-this time, from their oldest rival up north.
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst spoke recently about Green Bay’s plans for their secondary, and his comments raised more than a few eyebrows in Chicago. According to reports, Gutekunst doesn’t believe the Packers’ cornerback room needs “wholesale changes.” He singled out Keisean Nixon for having a “very, very good year,” and indicated that Nate Hobbs is expected to return in 2026.
If you're a Bears fan, that’s music to your ears.
Let’s break this down. Green Bay’s secondary was one of their biggest question marks last season-and if the current plan is to run it back with the same group, the Bears’ passing attack should be licking its chops.
Start with Nate Hobbs. Last offseason, the Packers handed him a four-year, $48 million deal, hoping he’d anchor the outside.
Instead, Hobbs struggled to stay healthy and, when he was on the field, struggled to stop anyone. He played in just 11 games, gave up a career-worst 14.1 yards per catch, and allowed a 125.3 passer rating when targeted, according to Pro Football Focus.
That includes Week 16, when Caleb Williams completed all three of his passes against Hobbs for 37 yards in Chicago’s 22-16 overtime win.
Hobbs is better suited for the slot, but with Javon Bullard holding that spot down, the Packers have kept Hobbs on the outside-and opposing offenses have taken full advantage. If nothing changes, expect the Bears’ perimeter weapons to circle those matchups in red ink this fall.
Then there’s Keisean Nixon. While Gutekunst praised his performance, the numbers tell a different story.
Nixon surrendered seven touchdowns, a 105.4 passer rating, and 11.3 yards per catch when targeted-his worst statistical season in four years with the Packers. He also had a rough outing in the wild-card round, where Caleb Williams and his receivers caught five passes for 53 yards against him.
For a Bears team that’s assembling one of the more intriguing young receiving corps in the league, this is a matchup dream. Luther Burden III, Rome Odunze, and Colston Loveland are all poised to take major steps forward in 2026. Add in a third-year Caleb Williams, who already showed flashes of brilliance in 2025, and you’ve got a recipe for fireworks the next time these two teams meet.
But here’s the key: Chicago can’t afford to get complacent.
Yes, it’s fun to watch a division rival ignore glaring weaknesses. And yes, it’s absolutely in the Bears’ favor if Green Bay continues to roll out the same underperforming secondary.
But none of that will matter if Chicago doesn’t continue to build around its young quarterback. The offense still needs reinforcements-especially with free agency and the draft right around the corner.
The Bears have momentum, a rising star under center, and a division rival seemingly content with standing pat on defense. That’s a rare combination-and one they can’t waste.
For now, Bears fans can enjoy the view from the high ground. But the real work begins soon. Because if Chicago handles its business, and Green Bay stays the course, we could be looking at a major shift in the balance of power in the NFC North.