Packers Face an Uphill Battle as Bears Retain Key Offensive Piece
The Green Bay Packers’ offseason hasn’t exactly started with a bang-and depending on who you ask, it might feel more like a gut punch. After a season-ending playoff loss to the division-rival Chicago Bears, there was chatter among fans about whether it was time to move on from head coach Matt LaFleur. But the Packers' front office stood by their guy, opting for continuity over change.
That decision was followed by another shakeup: defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley left to take the head coaching job with the Miami Dolphins. In response, Green Bay brought in Jonathan Gannon to run the defense. Gannon, who last served as a defensive coordinator with the Eagles before becoming a head coach, wasn’t the splashiest hire-and some fans were left wondering why the team didn’t go after more buzz-worthy names like Jim Leonhard.
While Green Bay sorts through its own transitions, the rest of the NFC North is building momentum. The Vikings are holding onto defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who helped retool their defense last season.
The Lions hired Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator, a move aimed at keeping their offense humming. And now, the Bears have made a quiet but significant move of their own-one that could have real implications for the Packers.
Bears Keep Doyle, and That Matters More Than You Think
On Monday, it was reported that Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle withdrew his name from consideration for the Philadelphia Eagles' OC vacancy. Instead, he’s staying in Chicago alongside offensive play-caller Ben Johnson. On the surface, that might not seem like a seismic shift-Johnson is still the one dialing up plays-but Doyle’s return is a big win for Chicago’s offensive continuity.
Doyle played a key role in weekly game planning this past season, and with a full year under his belt, he’s only going to get better. That’s not great news for a Packers team that’s already had its hands full with the Bears’ offense.
A 1-2 Record Against Chicago Tells the Story
Including the playoffs, the Packers went 1-2 against the Bears this season-a stat that stings a little more when you consider how the final matchup went down. In the playoff loss at Soldier Field, Green Bay’s defense gave up 25 points in the fourth quarter alone. They held the Bears’ ground game mostly in check-93 yards on 28 carries and a touchdown-but had no answer for second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.
Williams lit up the Packers for 361 passing yards and two touchdowns, despite tossing a pair of interceptions. During the regular season, he completed just over 55% of his passes against Green Bay, racking up 436 yards, four touchdowns, and one pick. It’s clear the Bears’ offense, which ranked sixth in total yards per game (369.2), is trending in the right direction-and keeping Doyle in the fold only strengthens that trajectory.
Can Gannon Solve the Bears’ Puzzle?
Now the pressure is on Gannon to figure out how to slow down this Bears offense. That’s easier said than done. It’s been a few years since Gannon last served as a defensive coordinator, and he’s stepping into a division where the offensive minds are getting sharper and more aggressive.
The Packers need Gannon to hit the ground running. They also wouldn’t mind a little help from the coaching carousel-if the Bears were to lose defensive backs coach Al Harris to a coordinator job elsewhere, it could shake up Chicago’s defensive stability. But if Harris sticks around, and if Doyle continues to grow in his role, the Bears could remain a major thorn in Green Bay’s side.
Looking Ahead
The NFC North is shaping up to be a dogfight. While the Packers are resetting on defense and doubling down on LaFleur, their division rivals are stacking continuity and innovation. Chicago’s decision to retain Doyle might not have made headlines, but it’s the kind of move that could pay off in a big way-and Green Bay knows it.
For the Packers, the challenge is clear: fix the defense, keep pace with evolving offenses, and hope that their own internal changes bring more stability than chaos. Because right now, the Bears aren’t just staying put-they’re getting better. And that’s something Green Bay can’t afford to ignore.