Matt LaFleur isn’t interested in turning Packers-Bears week into a war of words.
With Chicago coming to Lambeau Field in Week 5 for an NFC North matchup, the Packers head coach made it clear Monday that he’d rather keep the spotlight where it belongs - on the players who will decide the game.
“Because this game is about players, and so we'll keep it about the players. You know I'm not the one out there they're playing, so I think that's always been my mentality, and we're going to keep it about those guys,” LaFeur said via Rob Demovsky.
That doesn’t mean he’s ignoring the rivalry. Far from it. LaFleur said he appreciates what Packers-Bears means, especially with the Bears arriving on a two-game winning streak after their 23-12 win over the New York Jets in Week 4.
“Don't get me wrong, I love the rivalry. It's awesome, it's great, it's intense, you can feel it on game day, you can feel it throughout the course of the week, and also the significance. They're the defending North champions, so what a great opportunity for us in our home stadium to play against the defending champs.”
The matchup adds another chapter to the NFL’s oldest rivalry, one that has delivered decades of memorable games and plenty of familiar tension. Green Bay and Chicago have seen the league change around them, but the meaning of this one has stayed put.
And that’s the point: when these teams line up, it’s never just another divisional game. It ties the present-day NFL to its earliest roots, and as long as both clubs are in the same division, that history keeps rolling forward.
For now, the focus shifts to Week 5 and another chance for Packers-Bears to leave its mark.
In Other News...
Packers Fans May Need To Reassess MarShawn Lloyd Fast
MarShawn Lloyd has gotten a real look in Green Bay this season, and for stretches he has flashed the kind of versatility that made him an intriguing part of the backfield plan. He has appeared in multiple games, helped as a pass-catcher with nine receptions and a touchdown, and even earned more playing time as injuries and ball-security issues opened the door around him.
The challenge for Lloyd is what has happened when the ball has been in his hands as a runner. His 2.7 yards per carry is the lowest among the Packers running backs, and two recent fumbles have only sharpened the scrutiny. For a team trying to sort out its backfield hierarchy, that leaves Lloyd in a spot where the upside is still visible, but the margin for error feels awfully thin. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Still Searching For Depth At One Spot Fans Are Watching
The Packers kept working the edges of the roster this week with a set of tryouts that underscored how much the front office is still scanning for help. Green Bay looked at linebackers Deion Jones and Chris Paul, along with cornerbacks Cobee Bryant and Dwight McGlothern, in another reminder that the post-cutdown period is as much about staying ready as it is about finding a surprise fit.
With a full 53-man roster and practice squad already in place, any move would require Green Bay to clear space somewhere else, which is why these workouts matter even if nothing follows immediately. The team has been active with visits and tryouts since the deadline passed, and the pattern suggests the Packers are keeping a close eye on a few areas while leaving the door open for a roster shuffle if the right player becomes available. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Suddenly Have One Big Linebacker Decision To Make
Edgerrin Coopers season-ending Achilles injury left the Packers with an immediate opening in the middle of their defense, and it comes at a time when Green Bay has to decide whether to trust what it already has or look outside the building for help. The internal route would keep the answer simple, but the injury also exposes how much the defense was relying on Coopers presence in that spot.
One name worth watching is Matt Milano, a free agent with prior ties to the Packers coaching staff and the kind of background that fits the role Green Bay suddenly needs filled. His recent production has dipped some, but he still brings experience as both a pass rusher and a run defender, which is why he could surface as a real option if the Packers decide they need a more proven solution. [Read more 🡒]