LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) – Each Bears head coach over the years has seemed to have an appreciation for the franchise’s 103-year history. Part of that has meant recognizing the significance of matchups against the Packers, which represents the NFL’s oldest rivalry.
Unlike many of his predecessors, current Bears coach Matt Eberflus has been quick to downplay the importance of facing the Packers for the first time in his tenure. Eberflus has claimed that Green Bay never came up as he interviewed with the McCaskey family back in January with the hope of being hired as Chicago’s head coach.
“I just stay focused on us,” Eberflus said.
On Sunday night at Lambeau Field, the Bears (1-0) and Packers (0-1) will meet for the 205th time in their storied rivalry. It’s the first game against the Packers for the Bears’ new regime, while holdovers on the roster and inside Halas Hall have endured so much previous pain against their rival to the north.
"I want to win every game that I play,” said Bears second-year quarterback Justin Fields, who went 0-2 against the Packers as a rookie in 2021. “But of course just the tradition with this rivalry, it means a lot to us as a team, to the fan base, to the people upstairs. It just means a lot to everybody in the building."
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Bears linebacker Roquan Smith has played in eight games against the Packers in his career – and lost seven of those. Chicago hasn’t won against Green Bay since Dec. 16, 2018 at Soldier Field.
Meanwhile, Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers is 23-5 in his career against the Bears (playoffs included). In Green Bay’s win in Chicago last October, Rodgers screamed “I own you” to the fans at Soldier Field. Smith and many players who played in that game took note of Rodgers’ verbal shot at their team.
Smith anticipates Rodgers will have another edge to his game after the Packers suffered a 23-7 loss to the Vikings in their opener Sunday.
“The guy is obviously one of the greatest to ever play the game,” Smith said. “And you know as a competitor myself, I love going against people like that. I'm sure he will be a little bit pissed off after this last game. Hey, you wouldn't want it any other way. A pissed-off him, get the best version of him and then we get the dub and it will be even sweeter."
Injury report
Rookie receiver Velus Jones Jr. (hamstring) practiced in limited fashion Wednesday after he missed Chicago’s opener Sunday. Veteran offensive lineman Riley Reiff (shoulder) was also limited.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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