The Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears are entwined in one of the most storied rivalries in sports.
The two franchises have faced off 210 times since 1921, with the Packers leading the all-time series 108-96. Meanwhile, Chicago has Green Bay’s number in Hall of Famers, with the most of any NFL franchise.
There is no doubt that Green Bay and Chicago are home to two of the league’s most iconic franchises. Sharing the NFC North has only heightened the stakes, producing decades of memorable clashes.
Some key moments capture the sanctity of these midwestern clashes, such as:
BJ Raji’s game-sealing interception in the 2011 NFC Championship Game.
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Randall Cobb’s seemingly inevitable game-winning touchdowns.
Aaron Rodgers’ second-half comeback on one leg.
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But lately, Chicago hasn’t held up their end of the deal, and the historic rivalry is hurting for it.
The Bears’ Struggles
Chicago has found a way to be on the losing end of all of these moments. The Bears have turned in an abysmal 13-37 record against the Packers over the last 25 years. Their fall from grace includes just six winning seasons over the last two decades.
That is not a rivalry—it’s a one-sided affair. The foundation of a proper rivalry is the idea that either team could win any meeting.
Unfortunately, the Monsters of the Midway have seemingly lost their bite.
NFC North Flourishes
While the Bears keep stumbling, their division rivals have flourished.
Since 2021, the Lions and head coach Dan Campbell have strung together three consecutive winning seasons and two NFC North titles. In the same span, the Vikings have enjoyed two 13-win seasons.
The 2024 NFC North set the record for the highest single-season winning percentage (.662) by any division in NFL history. Chicago contributed just five wins to support that accomplishment.
Can anyone blame fans for no longer viewing Bears-Packers as the marquee matchup in the division?
Listen to the Fans
Football fans are fully aware that this rivalry is dying.
Ticket prices for the 2025 NFL season are indicative of a fan base that has simply lost interest.
Six of the top ten most expensive matchups for the 2025 NFL season include NFC North representation. Neither of the two matchups between the Packers and the Bears have cracked the top 10, while the Week 13 contest between the Packers and Lions ranks third. The demand to watch the Bears get pummeled by the Packers just isn’t there.
Pardon My Take’s co-host, Dan “Big Cat” Katz, is arguably the most entertaining Bears advocate since “da super fans”. Even he doesn’t hide from the truth. He sent a message loud and clear: the Bears are not a good franchise, and for their fans, Packers losses bring more joy than Bears wins.
A Shimmer of Hope
This historic rivalry can be salvaged, but it is up to the Bears to do so.
Chicago has a talented roster headlined by second-year quarterback Caleb Williams and new head coach Ben Johnson. If the Bears can claw their way out of football obscurity, this rivalry can return to what it once was.
For better or worse, the city responsible for more Popes than 4,000 yard passers, is in the driver’s seat to restore this once-great rivalry.
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