Packers’ Stunning Collapse in Chicago Caps a Season of Highs, Lows, and Big Questions
At halftime of the Wild Card game in Soldier Field, it looked like the Packers were cruising. Up 21-3, the defense had rookie Caleb Williams rattled, the Bears offense was sputtering, and Green Bay fans were already thinking ahead to the Divisional Round. But then came one of the most jarring fourth quarters in recent playoff memory - 25 unanswered points, and a 31-27 loss that flipped a near-certain win into a gut punch that will stick with Packers fans all offseason.
A Fourth Quarter to Forget
The unraveling started with a single misstep. On a critical fourth-and-eight, Rashan Gary drifted inside, abandoning the edge and giving Williams the escape lane he needed. That one play cracked the door open - and the Bears stormed through.
What followed was a defensive collapse that exposed every soft spot in a unit that had looked solid for most of the game. Blown coverages, late rotations, and a secondary - one of the most expensive in the league - that completely lost its footing under pressure. Caleb Williams, who had looked every bit a rookie for three quarters, suddenly looked like a seasoned vet, torching Green Bay’s defense with poise and precision.
And it wasn’t just the defense. Kicker Brandon McManus left points on the field with multiple missed kicks - a brutal margin in a four-point loss.
A botched snap on Green Bay’s final drive sealed the deal. What could’ve been a statement win turned into a postseason collapse that now defines the season.
Comparing This Exit to Last Year’s
This year’s ending feels different - and not in a good way.
Last season, Green Bay exited the playoffs with a 22-10 loss to the Eagles. It stung, sure, but it was the kind of loss you could live with.
The Packers were simply outplayed by a better team. Jordan Love was efficient, the defense under Jeff Hafley had stabilized after years of inconsistency, and the team felt like it was building something real.
There was frustration, but also optimism. The 11-6 record, the seventh seed, the signs of growth - it all pointed to a team on the rise.
Fast forward to this season, and the tone has shifted. The Packers finished 9-7-1.
They started hot, with wins over the Lions and Commanders and Love looking sharp, spreading the ball confidently. But the momentum didn’t last.
Injuries hit hard. Tight end Tucker Kraft tore his ACL in Week 9.
Then, Micah Parsons - a midseason trade acquisition who had been playing at a Defensive Player of the Year level - went down with a knee injury in Week 15. Depth issues that seemed manageable early in the year became glaring down the stretch, and the team limped into the postseason.
Hafley Heads to Miami, and a New Era Begins on Defense
The latest twist came just days after the playoff loss: defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is headed to Miami to take over as head coach, replacing Mike McDaniel. It’s a big move - and it leaves Green Bay with a significant hole to fill on the defensive side of the ball.
Hafley deserves credit. He inherited a defense that had been a mess and brought structure, clarity, and competence. For a fanbase that had endured the rollercoaster of Dom Capers, Mike Pettine, and Joe Barry, that competence felt like a breath of fresh air.
But the cracks started to show this season. That fourth-quarter meltdown against the Bears exposed a secondary that simply didn’t hold up when it mattered most. And for all the talent added - including the Parsons trade and the $188 million contract handed out in the offseason - the results didn’t match the investment.
Now, with Hafley gone, the Packers are turning to a new voice.
Jonathan Gannon Takes the Reins
Enter Jonathan Gannon. The former Eagles defensive coordinator, whose 2022 unit led the NFL in sacks (70), ranked first in pass defense, and finished eighth in points allowed, is now tasked with unlocking the full potential of this Packers defense.
Other candidates were in the mix - including Vikings passing game coordinator Daronte Jones and Eagles assistant Christian Parker - but Gannon brings a proven track record of maximizing talent. He’s known for building aggressive, pressure-heavy schemes that can disrupt even the most polished offenses. And with the pieces Green Bay has on paper, the ceiling is high.
Cap Moves and Roster Flexibility
One of the more notable offseason moves so far: the release of cornerback Trevon Diggs. Shedding his $15 million cap hit gives the Packers some breathing room. There’s still a chance Diggs returns on a restructured deal, but for now, it’s a cap-clearing move that signals a more aggressive financial strategy.
And that flexibility matters. Coaching salaries don’t count against the cap, so Green Bay can go big on coordinators and staff without it impacting the roster. That’s a key piece of the puzzle as they try to retool and reload for another playoff push.
A Different Feel This Offseason
Compared to last year, this offseason already feels louder, more chaotic - and more urgent. In 2024, there was continuity: same coaching staff, a young core trending upward, and a clear sense of direction.
This year? It’s a bit messier.
There’s a willingness now to gamble on star power instead of waiting for slow, steady development. Parsons.
McKinney. Gannon.
These aren’t moves made by a team content to wait. This is a front office signaling that the window is open - and it’s time to go for it.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Despite the heartbreak in Chicago, there’s reason to believe the Packers aren’t far off. The NFC North is wide open.
The Bears won the division at 11-6, but they’re not invincible. The Lions took a step back due to injuries, and the Vikings are in full rebuild mode with J.J.
McCarthy.
Green Bay finished 9-7-1 - second in the division - and the gap between them and the top isn’t as wide as it might seem. The NFC, as a whole, feels more fluid than it has in years.
There’s no juggernaut standing in the way. And with the right tweaks, this team has the pieces to make a deeper run.
The question now is whether the Packers can take that next step. The talent is there.
The urgency is there. And after a brutal playoff exit, the motivation should be sky-high.
This offseason isn’t just about fixing what went wrong - it’s about deciding what kind of team the Packers want to be. And if the early moves are any indication, they’re not interested in waiting around.