The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears will meet for the first time this season on Sunday and the 211th time in their rivalry’s history. The Packers lead the all-time series and have dominated the rivalry lately. However, there’s a different feeling around this Chicago Bears team in 2025.
The first matchup between the two rivals will come at Lambeau Field on Sunday, and the Packers will get a key piece of their offense back – receiver Jayden Reed.
Analyzing the Packers’ Saturday Roster Moves
The Packers made three roster moves on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s contest with the Bears, and none was more important than the activation of Jayden Reed.
Reed is the Packers’ No. 1 receiver and has been out since Week 2, when he broke his collarbone, and has also been dealing with a foot injury. The Packers’ receiver began practicing a couple of weeks ago and logged three straight limited practices this week. Now, the Packers have activated Reed to be eligible to play on Sunday.
Packers’ coach Matt LaFleur said earlier this week that Reed’s addition to the offense not only opens up the playbook but also that the toughness he plays with radiates throughout the team. LaFleur added that Reed is a “YAC (yards after catch) machine” and brings a lot of experience.
The Packers’ receiver quickly made an impact as a rookie in 2023 and has only carved out a more sustainable role in Green Bay since. Reed ranked in the top 25 among all receivers in the NFL each of the last two seasons, according to PFSN’s WR Impact.
Now, the Packers will have their top receiver back for their biggest game of the season. The Bears have an up-and-down history against Reed. They’ve limited him to two catches in three of their four matchups, but he also has a 100-yard game and a game with a touchdown.
While Reed was the headline move of the day, the Packers also claimed defensive lineman Quinton Bohanna off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks.
That also meant the Packers released receiver Malik Heath. Heath was in his third year with the Packers out of Ole Miss. He’s only started two games in his three-year career, but he’s played in 37 games.
Since he was drafted, Heath has been a player who has stepped in and played meaningful snaps when the Packers’ receiver depth has been tested.
With Reed back, Mathew Golden getting healthy, and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt out for the season, the Packers made the decision to bring in added defensive line help at the expense of Heath.
Bohanna brings five years of experience and has played in 45 NFL games. The defensive lineman likely won’t be ready for Sunday, but he could play a role down the stretch of the season.
However, Reed will play Sunday, and his return should give the Packers’ offense a boost against their division rival.
