For the better part of the last decade, “Bears vs. Packers” has been more about history than actual football. Every year we’d hear about the oldest rivalry in the NFL, Vince Lombardi, frozen tundra, and all the legendary moments—then Sunday would roll around and the Packers would remind Chicago who’s been running the division. It got predictable, but for the first time in what feels like forever, this rivalry has its juice back. Jordan Love has given Green Bay another franchise QB, Caleb Williams has bears fans believing again, and both teams finally look like they’re headed toward meaningful football at the same time. Whether you represent Green and Gold or Navy and Orange, you can’t tell me this matchup doesn’t feel different heading into the 2026-2027 season.

Both organizations are walking into 2026 with legitimate expectations instead of another “maybe next year” speech. Green Bay is coming off another playoff appearance under the wing of Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love, but still have so much more to prove this upcoming season. The ceiling for Love remains incredibly high. Heading into his 4th season as the starting QB, the expectations are no longer about potential—they’re about results. Green Bay had extended 2 major targets for Love in Christian Watson and Jayden Reed this off season, while deciding to trade Romeo Doubs to the Patriots. One big player that I believe will see tremendous upside this season is WR Savion Williams. With Doubs and Wicks off the roster, Williams is going to see a lot more time in the WR3 spot. The 6’4″ WR is heading into his second year in the league and should have more opportunities within LaFleur’s offensive scheme.

On the other side of this rivalry, the Chicago Bears finally look like a team with a real direction. For years, Chicago has been searching for the answer at QB, along with stability at HC. The arrival of Ben Johnson to Chicago changed the entire feeling around this organization. Johnson immediately took over and gave the bears something they haven’t had in years: an offensive identity. Most importantly, he gave Caleb Williams the structure needed to unlock his true talents. Williams now enters this season with a completely different expectation. He’s no longer the young QB trying to prove he belongs—he’s the guy expected to lead his team deep into January. I believe the big goal for Chicago this year is going to be proving to the league that last year wasn’t a one-year surprise. The Bears have built a roster capable of competing in the NFC, but the next step is consistency. A big question heading into the season will be whether Chicago’s young core can continue to develop while handling the pressure that comes with expectations. With D.J. Moore gone, I believe Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III will exceed expectations. Now the excuses are gone. The Bears aren’t rebuilding anymore. For the first time in a long time, the league can’t just show up and expect Chicago to fold.

A big area of concern for this upcoming season is the Packers Defense. I know this may be a cold take for some, but if you watched Green Bay play every single week last year, you’ll understand what I am about to say. Micah Parsons is arguably the make-or-break for the Packers success this year. At the beginning of the offseason, Parsons stated that he is aiming to be back on the field by week 2-3. About a month into his rehab, he started backtracking his statement, saying that he wants to focus on longevity rather than rushing back into play. Now I am all for that, but from what I witnessed last season, the Packers defense may be in some trouble without Parsons for the first 2 months of the year. With Parsons on the field, the defense was able to scheme different looks to pressure offenses into making mistakes, leading to huge success. When Parsons is off the field, the Packers lose that level of “fear.” QB’s are able to sit in the pocket much longer, the pass rush becomes much easier to game plan against, and the secondary is forced to cover for longer periods of time. Simply put, Parsons is that guy. He doesn’t just make tackles or rack up sacks, he changes how offenses prepare for an entire game. Without him at 100%, Green Bay will need everyone to step up early in the season and prove this defense can survive until their biggest piece returns. If Green Bay can stay afloat while Parsons gets fully healthy, this defense has the potential to become one of the most dangerous units in all of football. I truly believe the Packers can make a big run this year, which starts by taking care of Week 1.

Now, before anyone accuses me of going soft, let me make one thing clear: I still am and will always be a Packers fan. I grew up near Chicago surrounded by Bears fans, which means I’ve spent plenty of Sundays listening to the trash talk, the excuses, and every reason why “this is finally the year”. Rooting for the Bears will never happen. I would rather watch a Packers loss than celebrate a Bears win (which is how all rivalries are supposed to work) but being a true football fan also means giving credit where credit is due. For years, Chicago was the little brother in this rivalry. Green Bay has the legacy, the consistency, and the advantage that makes Bears-Packers feel more like a yearly reminder than a true competition. But what Chicago is building deserves respect. I may never wear orange and navy, but I can recognize when a rival is starting to become dangerous.

Hope y’all enjoyed the first update from myself as I prepare for a long 2026-2027 season. I am super excited to be back in my natural habitat—on the couch, cold drink in hand, surrounded by the boys, and firing off takes that are equal parts passion, bias, and occasionally correct. This is what it’s all about—the arguments, the heartbreak, the ridiculous overreactions, and the moments that make you come back every Sunday. I can’t wait to share every hot take, cold take, and everything in between throughout the season. GO PACK GO!

~ Coach Tales