Packers Prepare for Familiar Foe as Jayden Reed Eyes Return
As the Green Bay Packers gear up for a crucial Week 14 clash with the NFC-leading Chicago Bears, head coach Matt LaFleur knows exactly what’s at stake-and what kind of challenge awaits. With playoff positioning on the line and a red-hot Bears team coming to town, the Packers are looking to get a key piece of their offense back in the mix: wide receiver Jayden Reed.
Reed’s Return Could Be a Game-Changer
Jayden Reed’s status for the Bears game is still up in the air as he works his way back from foot and collarbone injuries, but LaFleur made it clear this week just how much the third-year wideout brings to the table when he’s healthy.
“He’s got a ton of experience,” LaFleur said. “You guys see how we’ve used him-moving him all over the place.”
And that’s no exaggeration. Reed’s versatility has been a cornerstone of Green Bay’s offense.
Whether it’s jet sweeps, quick screens, or deep routes, he’s a threat every time he touches the ball. But what really sets him apart isn’t just the yards after catch-though he’s elite in that department-it’s the edge he brings to the offense.
“He’s a YAC machine,” LaFleur added. “But it’s all the little things-blocking, digging out safeties, doing the dirty work. He brings a dog mentality.”
That kind of grit can’t be measured on a stat sheet, but it shows up in the film-and in the way teammates respond to him. Reed was expected to return to practice on December 3, and while the team will monitor his progress closely, his presence-even as a decoy-could open up the field for others.
A Rare Scheduling Twist: Bears Twice in Three Weeks
In LaFleur’s seven seasons as head coach, the Packers have never faced the same opponent twice in a three-week span. That changes this December, with Green Bay hosting the Bears this weekend and then traveling to Chicago before the regular season wraps up.
It’s a quirky wrinkle in the schedule, and it forces both coaching staffs to think a little differently.
“You only show half your game plan,” LaFleur joked, before turning serious. “It’s a unique deal. There’s a little bit of an unknown to it.”
And he’s right. Game-planning for the same team twice in such a short window means both sides will have to anticipate adjustments-not just between games, but possibly in-game as well. It becomes a chess match, with each team trying to stay one step ahead without tipping their hand too early.
“You’ve got to find a way to win one game,” LaFleur said. “Just know there’s going to be adjustments. You have to stay ahead of your competition.”
These Aren’t Last Year’s Bears
Forget what you remember about the 2024 Bears. This year’s version is a completely different animal.
At 9-3, Chicago sits atop the NFC, and they’ve earned it. LaFleur pointed to a few key reasons why this team has made such a leap from last season’s 5-12 campaign.
“They’re doing a great job taking care of the football offensively,” LaFleur said. “And defensively, they’re getting takeaways.”
That’s not just coach-speak. The Bears lead the entire league with a staggering +17 turnover margin-eight better than the next closest teams.
They’ve forced 26 turnovers, more than any other team in the NFL. And they’ve only coughed it up nine times.
For comparison, the Packers have been solid in that department, leading the league with just seven turnovers. But their overall margin sits at +4, a far cry from Chicago’s dominance.
LaFleur also gave credit to Bears GM Ryan Poles for assembling a talented roster, and he noted the improvement at quarterback and in the run game. But it’s the defense that really stands out.
“They do such a good job of presenting similar looks and having different concepts off those looks,” LaFleur said. “They’re a problem.”
What It All Means
This isn’t just another Packers-Bears game. With both teams in the playoff mix and facing each other twice in three weeks, this could be the stretch that defines the season for Green Bay.
Getting Jayden Reed back would be a major boost, not just for his production, but for the attitude he brings to the field. And if the Packers want to hang with a Bears team that’s thriving on takeaways and disciplined play, they’ll need all hands on deck.
LaFleur’s message is clear: win the week, adjust as needed, and be ready for a chess match that’s just getting started.