It isn’t talked about much because of other distractions over the past decade, but one thing has stuck in my craw about the Chicago Bears in that time. It is how little seriousness they gave to the Green Bay Packers rivalry. One of the great things about Lovie Smith, for all his faults, was he understood right away how much beating the Packers meant to Bears fans. Since his departure in 2013, it feels like those running the organization failed to grasp the same reality. They’d give that classic line that sounds smart but isn’t at all. “Every game is equally important.” No, guys. It isn’t. That is why it’s time to appreciate this new Bears generation. Jaquan Brisker is the latest example.
The second-year safety is working his way back from an injury that has kept him out for multiple weeks. He admitted he’s anxious to return because he wants to play Green Bay. He wants to feel the energy of the Soldier Field crowd when the Bears finally beat them.
“I didn’t even get to play last year, the second game here in Chicago, so I didn’t really get the vibes. I wasn’t even at the stadium.
“But now, I’m itching. I’m waiting. It’s Packers week, so I know it’s going to be live in the stadium. Fans everywhere. It’s going to be loud. People hate Green Bay. I hate Green Bay. I can’t wait. They didn’t get to see me last year. They are going to get to see me this year.”
It is clear how serious Brisker is about this. He’s embraced the rivalry from the outset. He isn’t the only one, either. Other young members of the roster have taken up the battle cry, including Justin Fields and others.
Jaquan Brisker is getting the Bears into the right mindset.
Treating Green Bay like just another opponent is a recipe for failure. A good example is when Ohio State coaches stopped treating Michigan like the arch-rivals they were in the 1980s and 1990s. The Wolverines won 14 of 21 matchups during that stretch. Not until Jim Tressel took over as head coach and embraced the rivalry did the Buckeyes flip the script. Brisker’s comments indicate the Bears are regaining a similar mindset to the Packers. Maybe this generation will be the one to finally tip the scale back in Chicago’s favor.
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It won’t be easy. Green Bay hasn’t dominated for this long by being a bad team. Their roster is still flush with talent. Aaron Rodgers might be gone, but wounded animals are often at their most dangerous. Jaquan Brisker wants to help set the tone this season. He and the defense can do that by getting the Jordan Love era off to a rough start. One thing is certain. The Bears will come out with plenty of intensity in this game. If the defense can force a few turnovers, it might be what the team needs to finally get over the hump.
I don’t see how the Packers are that much better than the Bears. I really don’t, I may be proven wrong, but where is it? Gary is hurt, Kenny Clark is a man and so is Alexander, but what do they have on Offense? 2 second-year WR, a rookie WR, and nothing at tight end. Aaron Jones is beyond his prime, and AJ Dillon is middle of the road. Give me the Bears weapons any day vs what the Packers are trotting out there. I also like the LB and Secondary of the Bears better than Packers as a whole.… Read more »
Maybe I’m on an island here but if you don’t give a sh!t about the Packers they can’t get in your head or own you
I’m with Jaquan. This is when you’re allowed to go full meatball. If you can’t be irrational (as a fan) against your rivals, when can you be? That’s why I wasn’t accepting a Bears loss prediction in the Week 1 prediction article. To win, you’ve first got to believe it in your head and heart. The talent is there and they’ve put in the work. Having the right mindset, energy and adrenaline can raise your play on the field to accomplish things you otherwise may not be able to do. The Packers may have more ESTABLISHED talent, but I don’t… Read more »
Please don’t be another Justin Jones. Do what you are getting paid to do and things should be fine. College football comparisons? The pep rallies are over.