One way the Chicago Bears could come out losers in the Aaron Rodgers trade

Aaron Rodgers no longer unofficially owns the Chicago Bears.

The Green Bay Packers traded Rodgers to the New York Jets for a couple of draft picks. Just like that, Aaron Rodgers can no longer claim dominion over the Bears like he has since he became Green Bay’s starting quarterback in 2008.

Rodgers dominated the Chicago Bears with a 24-5 record. That record included guiding the Packers to their biggest win in the NFL’s oldest rivalry when Green Bay beat the Bears in the 2010 NFC Championship Game. Rodgers threw for 6,965 yards along with 57 touchdown passes and just 10 interceptions against the Bears.

It is safe to say the Bears organization and fans are happy to see Rodgers out of the NFC North.

The Packers-Bears rivalry has been in Green Bay’s favor ever since Brett Favre took over as the Pack’s starting quarterback in 1992. He went 22-10 against Chicago. Rodgers took the baton and flipped the division series record to the Packers. Green Bay also passed Chicago on the NFL all-time franchise victories list.

Yep, the Pack have been kicking in the Bears’ teeth for 31 years. Now that Rodgers is gone that is all about to change. At least, that is the hope.

The Chicago Bears have Justin Fields, and he is emerging as possibly the best quarterback in the division. He must get better with his accuracy, timing, and decision-making. Fields can also hold onto the ball a bit too long. His playmaking ability has Chicago excited for what he can become.

If he develops into what the Bears think he can be, then Chicago might finally end its quarterback problem that goes back to the 1950s. Also, the hope is Fields can deliver some payback to those cheeseheads now that Rodgers is gone. Now it is Green Bay’s turn to deal with quarterback misery for the next 31 years.

Although, Bears fans could come out on the bad end of this deal if Jordan Love develops into a great quarterback.

Love now takes over as the Packers starting quarterback. He looked bad in his only career start in 2021 against the Kansas City Chiefs. He flashed some potential last season against the Philadelphia Eagles when he was called upon to relieve an injured Aaron Rodgers.

That flash was only one quarter.

Love will probably struggle in the beginning. All NFL quarterbacks do. The Packers seem to have something in the water because that organization knows how to develop quarterbacks.

Favre made the Pro Bowl in his first year as a starter. He was a quarterback that the Atlanta Falcons had no trouble giving up on. Rodgers struggled in his first season as a starter. He then went on to a Pro Bowl the next season and won a Super Bowl the following year.

Mark Brunell, Matt Hasselback, Matt Flynn, and Aaron Brooks all spent time as an apprentice to either Favre or Rodgers. They all went on to become starters with other teams (well, Flynn signed a contract for starter’s money).

It is not out of the question that Love could carry on the tradition of great quarterback play in Green Bay. If that happens and Fields does not develop, it may be another generation of misery for the Chicago Bears.