Even after two years out of the NFC North, and amid ongoing uncertainty around his career, former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers does not pass up an opportunity to bash the Chicago Bears. The free agent and four-time MVP sat in on the “Ya’ Neva Know Podcast” live episode, an event that had many young Bears fans in attendance.
If they had not already, those kids got their indoctrination into the NFL’s oldest rivalry.
Former Packers QB Aaron Rodgers Ribs Bears (Again)
Aaron Rodgers Still Owning Bears
Rodgers interacted with several fans, including those of the Bears. Host Mike Stud said Rodgers “loves” the city of Chicago but doubted he would ever don the uniform.
The veteran QB also loves sticking it to his former division rival, though, and that showed true when one fan tried to ask him about his future plans, suggesting he retire. Instead of answering, Rodgers launched into the “best thing about Bears fans.”
“Every year [they say], ‘This is our year. This is our year. We added this guy, and that guy, and we got a new coach from Detroit. Oh, man. Look out. This is it,” Rodgers said on the May 23 episode of YNK. “And what does every coach that signs with the Bears say? ‘We got to beat the Packers,’ right? Packers don’t give a s***.”
He infamously jawed at fans that he “owns” the Bears during a game in 2021.
The Packers won that game 24-14.
Rodgers is 24-5 against the Bears in his career. He last lost to the Bears in Week 14 of the 2018 season.
The Bears did beat the Packers in Week 18 of the 2024 season, snapping a streak of 11 straight losses. However, that contest saw the Packers pull their starters early in preparation for the playoffs, which the Bears missed for the fourth straight season.
The Bears’ last playoff win came in 2010.
They lost to Rodgers and the Packers in the NFC Championship Game that season, leading to Rodgers’ lone Super Bowl appearance and victory.
Bears, Packers Coaches Taking Different Approaches to Rivalry
Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears quiets the crowd against the Green Bay Packers. Mandatory credit: Clocker Sports
There is a saying that it is only a rivalry if both teams win regularly. The Bears cannot claim that just yet, but good luck convincing new head coach Ben Johnson that the rivalry is not alive and well.
Johnson pointed to his 5-1 record against Packers head coach Matt LeFleur during his introductory press conference.
“This is the toughest division of football right now. There’s three teams that made the playoffs this year. I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for the coaches and the players in this league,” Johnson told reporters in January. “Dan Campbell, Kevin O’Connell, you’re talking about two guys that are up for Coach of the Year awards as the season ends here. And to be quite frank with you, I kind of enjoyed beating Matt LeFleur twice a year.”
LaFleur took a less forward approach when discussing Johnson on the “Pat McAfee Show.”
“We got a great division. You can’t discredit what the teams have done. And I think Chicago’s done a nice job of adding to their roster, and you get a good football coach, as as he said himself, in Ben Johnson,” LaFleur joked with McAfee in April. “I do respect Ben. … He’s one of the best play callers in the game.”
LaFleur is 11-1 against the Bears, and Packers quarterback Jordan Love has been a willing participant in the transfer of Rodgers’ “ownership” of their hated rival. It is up to Johnson, Caleb Williams, and the Bears to turn the tide in their favor.
