The Bears-Packers Rivalry is Alive and Well! And Other Bullets

Sep 09, 2018

My alma mater put up 38 points in the first half on the road against an SEC team. Seriously, check out the highlights:

The #Salukis put on a show in the first half against Ole Miss. #RunWithUs pic.twitter.com/nL8LKLD1na

— Saluki Football (@SIU_Football) September 9, 2018

As for what happened in the second half, allow me to direct you to the first-half highlights above…

Bears. Packers. Time to expect the unexpected:

Quote of the day goes to Kevin King on Mitch Trubisky:

“I think they’re going to come out and… honestly, I can’t tell you anything on him. I’m trying to make up sh*t up here.”#Packers #CHIvsGB #SNF #LockerTalkers pic.twitter.com/zX4uxbYPK2

— Chris Barriere (@chrisbarriereTV) September 5, 2018

The Bears-Packers rivalry is back and I won’t hear anything to the contrary. And while the Bears have been on the short end of the rivalry a bunch on the field lately, picking up some wins off of it could go a long way toward balancing the scales.

Green Bay fired Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers and had eyes on Vic Fangio as his replacement. Fangio was viewed as a logical candidate and at one point was the rumored top choice to take the gig. To that end, the Packers looked willing to be patient through the process in order to get their man. Somewhere along the line the Packers zigged when everyone expected them to zag and they hired Mike Pettine. After that, the Bears re-signed Fangio to what is believed to be one of the biggest contracts given to a DC and the rest is history.

Fangio wasn’t the only free agent the Bears and Packers both had heart eyes for this offseason. With an eye on improving its own passing game, Green Bay was also in on the Allen Robinson sweepstakes. The Bears made Robinson a top priority after the Jaguars decided not to hand out the franchise or transition tag to retain him, but the Packers were definitely lurking. Ultimately, Robinson choose Chicago over Green Bay after offers were made.

Robinson making a good impression on his offensive coordinator:

Allen Robinson

— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) September 6, 2018

After whiffing on two big splashes, the Packers sought to improve their secondary by signing cornerback Kyle Fuller to an offer sheet. Green Bay’s corners weren’t all that great in 2017 and the group certainly needed an upgrade. But with the Packers doing all the leg work in writing a contract, the Bears immediately matched the offer sheet to retain their top-performing cornerback from the 2017 season. Both sides said they were pleased with how things looked after the dust cleared, but it’s not hard to imagine the Packers feeling disappointed after watching a good one get away.

And then there was the Khalil Mack sweepstakes, where Green Bay was the odds-on favorite to get a deal done at one point. But then the Bears popped up as a team that potentially was hanging around the fringes hoping to strike a deal done until, eventually, doing so last week.

Now, Mack is a “semiannual menace” for the Packers.

There was also a point where the Bears and Packers were interested in pursuing free agents Sammy Watkins and Jimmy Graham. Green Bay scored with the Graham deal, but the Bears would move on and sign Trey Burton – who was also garnering interest from the Vikings and Lions.

No wonder the NFC North is expected to be a highly competitive battle ground. All the teams had their eyes on similar players, all of whom were getting interest from teams around the league. This probably isn’t a coincidence at all.

Speaking of Burton, here’s hoping this is a thing that happens early and often in 2018:

https://twitter.com/BN_Bears/status/1038791039052652544

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune writes the Bears’ escape from free agency hell should bode well for the team’s future. After rolling the dice on spending big money on middle-tier talents who produced less-than-desirable results in prior years, Bears GM Ryan Pace swung for the fences and connected with some big names and players who were popular in the free agent market. And while there is a high-risk, high-reward aspect in some of their moves, there aren’t too many arguments against betting on upside.

The Bears haven’t ever been known for winning bidding wars. They’re also not known for getting the better of the Packers … in any arena. So all of this is a pleasant surprise. But still … they’ve still got one more hurdle to clear, which they can get after starting at 7:20 p.m. CT.

written by

Luis C. Medina

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more bears news

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Defensive Linemen

The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team’s four picks (Nos....

Luis C. Medina

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bears

And Now Penei Sewell Has Signed a MASSIVE Extension With The Lions

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes is hard at work today! It's fitting that just a day before the 2024 NFL Draft kicks off in Detroit, the Lions have locked up two franchise, homegrown cornerstones just hours apart. This morning,...

Matt Rooney

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bears

Take a Look at the New Chicago Bears Stadium Renderings

The Chicago Bears unveiled plans for their downtown lakefront stadium proposal on Wednesday. And as you might expect, it is very kind on the eyes: https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1783185834490888461 The Bears even gave the project a code name — The Burnham Park Project: The...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bears

Amon-Ra St. Brown Signs MASSIVE Extention With Lions

We have a new highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL! According to a report from NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Lions have made Amon-Ra St. Brown the richest wideout in the NFL with a four-year, $120 million contract extension...

Matt Rooney

Apr 24, 2024

Joe alt notre dame bears offensive line target NFL Draft

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Offensive Linemen

Luis C. Medina

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bears

Stadium Stuff, Rome and Caleb, New Bears Hires, and Other Bears Bullets

The 2024 NFL Draft is just one day away. Soon, we'll get to hear those magic words: "The Chicago Bears are on the clock." And they'll mean something! ICYMI: The Bears, who are set to have a press conference at...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bears

Ian Cunningham is Getting an Extension From the Bears

Ian Cunningham is set to stick around for a little while longer. The Chicago Bears assistant general manager is getting some years tacked on to his contract, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. No details on how many more years are...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bears

The Bears Are Expected to Ask For Some Public Money For New Stadium

If you have followed pro sports stadium projects in the past, then you probably are aware that taxpayers tend to end up footing a hearty chunk of the bill. And while the Chicago Bears have not yet made public their...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Bears

Bears GM Ryan Poles Isn’t Necessarily Looking to Trade For More Draft Picks

Ryan Poles has done well in creating a bevy of picks in each of his first two NFL Draft classes as Chicago Bears general manager. And even though the Bears have a league-low four picks in this week's NFL Draft,...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft: 4.0

We’re just over 24 hours from the NFL Draft, and all I can say is finally. Finally, we’re done with the speculation. I’ll never forget the Bears Twitter Civil War of 2024 centered around the Caleb Williams vs. Justin Fields...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Phillies vs. Reds: Live Stream or on TV

The Philadelphia Phillies (15-9), with Zack Wheeler on the hill, visit the Cincinnati Reds (13-10) who will start Nick Martinez, at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday in the rubber match of the series.See how to watch the Philadelphia-Cincinnati matchup below.When...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

How to Watch

Brewers vs. Pirates: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Milwaukee Brewers (14-8), with Freddy Peralta on the hill, visit the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-11) who will hand the ball to Mitch Keller, at 12:35 PM ET on Thursday.Find out how to watch the Milwaukee-Pittsburgh matchup below.When is Brewers vs....

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

How to Watch

Dodgers vs. Nationals: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (14-11) visit C.J. Abrams and the Washington Nationals (10-12) on Thursday, with first pitch at 4:05 PM ET.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for TV and streaming options for the...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

NBA Picks

Magic vs. Cavaliers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 3 – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Cleveland Cavaliers are slight 1.5-point underdogs for Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on Thursday, tipping off at 7:00 PM ET on NBA. The Cavaliers have a 2-0...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Welcome Back to Iowa, Brennen Davis: Rocket Homer in His First Game Post-Rehab

What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Wurth 400 Odds from Dover Motor Speedway

Betting

Wurth 400 Odds from NASCAR Dover Motor Speedway: Betting Bubba Wallace at the Monster Mile

The Monster Mile roars to life this Sunday and the 2024 Wurth 400 odds have been revealed! Dover Motor Speedway welcomes NASCAR for its annual racing weekend and unlike last week’s Geico 500 from Talladega Superspeedway, the race favorites are...

Brian Twining

Apr 24, 2024

News

2024 Zurich Classic Tee Times, TV Channel, Live Stream

The fleur-de-lis flags are flying, and the beignets are hot! The 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans tees off this Thursday, bringing back the PGA Tour's electrifying two-man team format. TPC Louisiana is set to be buzzing with a unique...

Brian Twining

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese Officially Introduced, And She Sounds Motivated

The new face of the Chicago Sky franchise officially arrived on Wednesday. Angel Reese met with media members at the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield. The former LSU standout and NCAA National Champion is only nine days removed from hearing...

Elias Schuster

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Outfield Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong Coming Up

With Cody Bellinger headed to the Injured List with a rib fracture, the Cubs are in need of another outfielder: center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming back up to the big leagues for the second time. https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1783217891195625709 Crow-Armstrong, 22,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

The Bears-Packers Rivalry is Alive and Well! And Other Bullets

Read More

more bears news

Latest News

more bears news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular