The rivalry between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers is one of the oldest, and most iconic in the NFL. If you’re a football fan, even at 10 years old, then you’ve probably heard about the intense history between the two teams. But what makes this rivalry so special and how has it remained one of the most prominent rivalries for over 100 years?
The Bears-Packers rivalry dates all the way back to 1921, making the rivalry the oldest in the NFL. It all started when the founder of the Bears (formerly known as the Decatur Staleys), George Halas, took on Curly Lambeau’s Green Bay Packers in a game that swiftly became a football battle for Midwest dominance. From the start, the match-up had the recipe for an iconic rivalry with factors including geographic proximity, arguably the most passionate fan bases in the league, and two fantastic teams that were constantly competing for the top spot in the division.
Over the years, the Bears and Packers have met more than 200 times, with Green Bay leading the all time series in wins. That lead has been especially strong in recent years, as the Packers have dominated thanks to some of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. All the while, the Bears have been struggling to keep up with other teams, especially when it comes to QBs, which have been a sore spot for Chicago. The team was finally given some hope with the 2021 first pick in the NFL draft. They drafted quarterback Justin Fields who, at the time, was a beacon of light for the team. Unfortunately, Fields was a bust and the team continued to struggle. Once again, the Bears received the number one pick in the 2024 draft and they chose to select quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams didn’t perform too well during the start of the season, but luckily for Bears fans, he seems to be warming up to the league and becoming more comfortable during games.
One of the most memorable moments in this rivalry came in 2013 when Aaron Rodgers returned from an injury to throw a game winning touchdown on 4th and 8 to Randall Cobb, destroying the Bears’ hopes of making it to the playoffs. That moment truly set Rodgers as a villain in Chicago. Ever since, Bears fans have had to endure years of painful losses.
What makes this rivalry so much more important than other rivalries like the Bengals-Ravens or the Seahawks – 49ers is the deep, rich sense of tradition embedded within it. Bears Vs. Packers games are more than just about football, but regional and team pride. For people in Wisconsin and Illinois these games feel very personal. The rivalry goes far beyond the players. The real competition is in the stands, towns, and cities full of extremely passionate fans, both with their own bragging rights. The Bears were one of the original NFL franchises and have the most Hall of Famers in the NFL. They’ve also won nine championships including Super Bowl 20. On the other hand, the Packers have the most NFL championships overall including four Super Bowl wins. They also claim to be fully fan owned and the best fan-owned team in the world, with Lambeau Field being one of the toughest stadiums to play in. Over the past several years, the rivalry has been quite unbalanced. The Packers have consistently beat the Bears since 2019 with a 10 game win streak. Rodgers even humorously trolled Bears fans after a touchdown in 2021 shouting, “I still own you” which became a viral moment and added even more fuel to the fire. The Packers winning streak has continued to frustrate Bears fans, who are hoping the tide will turn under the new leadership of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
As the teams look to the future, both are going through transitions. The leadership of the Packers was handed to younger quarterback Jordan Love, while Aaron Rodgers is now playing for the New York Jets, and the Bears are in a rebuilding phase with Williams at quarterback. The rivalry however is stronger than ever, and no matter where the teams stand in the division, Bears Vs. Packers games will always remain must-watch match-ups.
