Chicago Bears: Five NFC North stars to watch out for

1. Aaron Rodgers

Expecting anyone else? Of course, you weren’t.

Until further notice, Rodgers remains both the best quarterback and the best player overall in the NFC North. If the Chicago Bears want to be the best team in the NFC North, he’s the wall they have overcome.

Until further notice, Rodgers remains both the best quarterback and the best player overall in the NFC North. If the Chicago Bears want to be the best team in the NFC North, they’ll have to beat him at some point.

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Of recent relevance, the Bears have managed to beat the Packers just twice in the past five years. Some of those games were complete and utter stompings. Some of them weren’t. But each and every one of them stung. And it seems like each time they get close to topping him in a big moment, Rodgers keeps finding ways to rip their hearts out.

Like in 2013, when he ended the Bears’ playoff hopes with a last-second touchdown pass to Randall Cobb. Or last year, when he hit launched a 60-yard bomb to Nelson to set up Mason Crosby for a game-winning field goal, stealing a hard-fought game from Chicago.

At age 33, the arguable best—read: not “greatest”, but most skilled—quarterback in the game could be around to bother the Chicago Bears for several more years. It’s up to them to do something about it.

Next: Predicting the Bears' 53-man roster to start season

In particular, they need to beat him when it matters. Of course, that always seems to be the point where he elevates his game the most. That’s what the great ones do. And as much as Chicago Bears fans love to hate him, you can’t deny that what he’s doing can only be defined as great.