Austin Booker’s Hit on Jordan Love Sparks Controversy, But Was It Dirty?
The Chicago Bears came out of Saturday’s game with a hard-fought win over the Green Bay Packers, but the biggest storyline wasn’t the final score-it was the hit that knocked Packers quarterback Jordan Love out of the game. The collision came in the second quarter when Bears rookie edge rusher Austin Booker delivered a helmet-to-helmet blow that left Love with a concussion and sidelined for the rest of the game.
The play drew a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness. No arguments there. In today’s NFL, you make contact with a quarterback’s helmet, especially with the crown of your own, and you’re getting flagged-end of story.
But for the Packers, that wasn’t enough.
Several Green Bay players, including left guard Aaron Banks, made it clear they felt the punishment should’ve gone further-calling for an ejection and even hinting at a possible suspension for Booker. Their frustration was palpable, and it’s not often you hear that kind of public outcry from a team that usually keeps things close to the vest.
So, do they have a case?
Let’s break it down.
The replay shows Booker coming off the edge and winning late on the rep. Love, meanwhile, was caught up with Bears defensive lineman Gervon Dexter.
Booker’s angle was high-no question-but it wasn’t a launch at the head. It was a play that changed in real-time.
As Booker closed in, Love dipped his head to brace for contact, and that adjustment is what caused the helmet-to-helmet collision. If Love stays upright, Booker likely hits him in the chest, not the facemask.
That’s a key detail. It’s not just about where the hit landed-it’s about how it happened.
Yes, it was a penalty. And yes, Booker will probably see a fine from the league office for leading with the helmet.
But the idea that this was some kind of targeted, malicious hit? That doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
It was a fast, physical play in a violent game. Booker wasn’t head-hunting-he was doing what edge rushers are taught to do: get to the quarterback by any means within the rules.
Sometimes, those plays toe the line. This one crossed it, but just barely.
Let’s also not ignore the emotional context. Booker was having a strong game.
He finished with half a sack, a quarterback hit, and four pressures. He was disruptive all night.
When a guy knocks your quarterback out of the game and keeps making plays, it stings. That’s human nature.
But frustration doesn’t equal intent.
Booker’s job is to finish plays. He’s not out there calculating angles like a physics professor-he’s reacting in real time, with split-second decisions.
That’s the nature of the position. You can’t expect a pass rusher to throttle down in the moment of impact when the quarterback is still in play.
That’s how defenders lose jobs in this league.
So, while the Packers’ frustration is understandable-losing your QB1 to a concussion is never easy-it’s a stretch to argue that Booker deserves anything more than the flag he already received. The league will take a look, as it always does, but based on the film, this doesn’t meet the threshold for ejection or suspension.
This wasn’t dirty. It was unfortunate. And in today’s NFL, there’s a big difference between the two.
The Bears got the win. The Packers got the worst kind of loss.
And Austin Booker? He’ll keep doing what he’s paid to do-get after quarterbacks.