After splitting the season series against the Green Bay Packers, the Chicago Bears could be on the verge of facing their divisional foe for an unprecedented third time.
As things currently stand, the Bears would be the No. 2 seed in the NFC, meaning they would face the Green Bay Packers, who own the No. 7 seed in the wild-card round. Now, that scenario could change if the Bears lose and the Philadelphia Eagles win in Week 18.
However, if it is Packers-Bears part three, there will be a new player jumping into the fray on the Green Bay side. On Wednesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Packers claimed cornerback Trevon Diggs off waivers.
The Cowboys suddenly released Diggs on Tuesday after six seasons in the Lone Star State, in which he was named to two Pro Bowls and made first-team All-Pro. For the Packers, this move reeks of desperation as Nate Hobbs was placed on injured reserve, and the starting CB duo of Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine has been hit-or-miss.
Since he was signed this week, it's unlikely that Diggs will play in Week 18, but maybe there’s a chance he’ll suit up in the playoffs, potentially against the Bears. If that’s the case, Chicago fans should not be worried about Diggs; if anything, quarterback Caleb Williams should look forward to seeing the ex-Cowboy.
Packers’ Trevon Diggs Signing Doesn’t Move Needle in Potential Rematch
When Diggs has been on the field this season, opposing quarterbacks have had no fear of throwing towards his side of the field. According to Pro Football Focus, quarterbacks have a perfect passer rating of 158.3 and an 80.0% success rate on 20 targets, all while averaging 17.9 yards per completion. That’s not great. And to make matters worse, he doesn’t have an interception or a pass breakup.
The Bears actually saw Diggs earlier this season when Dallas visited Soldier Field in Week 3. The veteran cornerback allowed one completion; however, that lone reception was a 35-yard touchdown catch by Rome Odunze, who opened the scoring in the 31-14 win over the Cowboys.
Now, could Diggs flip the switch and show folks that he’s healthy and what he did in Dallas was a fluke? Without a doubt, he could. However, if you’re Williams or Bears head coach Ben Johnson, you welcome seeing Diggs, as the passing offense has been putting up points. And your wide receivers (D.J. Moore, Luther Burden III, and Rome Odunze) can do a little bit of everything and give this Packers’ secondary fits.
Therefore, while adding Diggs looks great on paper for the Packers, the Bears’ offense and WR core still hold the upper hand, leaving Johnson & Co. nothing to be worried about as the postseason arrives.