The rivalry between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers is one of the oldest and most intense in the NFL. One that demands quarterbacks to embrace the passion of the fanbase and represent it, just like Aaron Rodgers did for years and still does with the Bears, because of his time in Green Bay.
And this rivalry, which for years was dominated by the Packers, might be shifting. With Caleb Williams arriving in Chicago, both games in 2024 were highly competitive. Now, there is great anticipation for the 2025 matchups, with the Bears quarterback already sending a message to rival fans, heating things up ahead of the clash.
Caleb Williams Reignites Packers Rivalry With A Jab
As two of the oldest franchises in the NFL, the Bears and Packers have one of those rivalries that, no matter how bad one of the teams is, always draws the attention of fans to the matchup. There is always a lot of chatter surrounding the match-ups, be it media or players themselves. The games are always physical and fuel each team’s narrative for the season.
This makes every player joining either franchise immediately embrace the rivalry, just like Williams is doing now.
The quarterback, despite growing up as a Packers fan and having Rodgers as his biggest inspiration, showed his loyalty to the Bears by sharing what he now thinks about the Packers fanbase and his perspective as a player.
Caleb Williams on Green Bay Packers fans:
“They suck” pic.twitter.com/GmwrXqlarX
— Ryan Garcia (@RyanGarciaESM) June 20, 2025
“I play Green Bay. I mean, they suck, but… After the game, after we won at Lambeau, they just, I mean, they start throwing everything at you. They push you all, and the Lambeau leap, it’s a real leap. It’s not a little baby jump. You actually have to high jump, basically. And then, you know, they’re pushing you, mushing your face,” Williams said.
In 2024, the rivalry got even more interesting.
With Williams’ arrival, despite his rookie season being far from spectacular, the team’s potential rose, and that was clear in both games last season. In the first meeting, the Bears lost on a blocked field goal as time expired, frustrating fans who were hoping to end a 10-game losing streak against their rival.
In the second showdown, during Week 18, it seemed like the same story again. Chicago had a chance to beat their rival on the road in Green Bay, something that had not happened since 2013, and the kick by Cairo Santos, as the clock ran off, was good. The win especially ended a disappointing season, marking the last game longtime Bears owner Virginia McCaskey watched before passing away.
BEARS UPSET THE PACKERS IN WEEK 18 pic.twitter.com/MwkYHhCtbu
— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025
The teams will face off for the first time this season on Dec.7 at Lambeau Field, and then again on Dec. 20 in Chicago at Soldier Field. Both teams have high expectations for the season and are expected to fight for the division in an NFC North that is shaping up to be the most competitive in the NFL, just like it was in 2024.