The Chicago Bears are heading towards the 2026 season with reason for newfound confidence over a division rival. For far too long, the Green Bay Packers had beaten up on Chicago, with the Aaron Rodgers-led Packers going 24-5 against their rival. All of a sudden, the pendulum has swung with Ben Johnson breathing life back into the rivalry and striking a postseason blow that is going to be felt for years to come.
It isn't just the fact that the Bears went 2-1 against the Packers in the 2025 season, but what happened the last time the two sides met. Chicago overcame a 21-3 second-half deficit and would score 25 fourth-quarter points to melt what seemed an impossible lead and eliminate the hated rival.
This was more than just a moment from last season, but setting the precedent for the ultimate confidence in this version of the Bears. It is now a coaching staff and roster that not only doesn't fear the once dominant rival, but has reason to believe no lead is safe and that there is a clear mental edge when the two teams meet in the regular season.
Chicago has to feel as well that the flip side of this is their rival feeling as if no lead is safe and playing far tighter when facing a team they had bullied in recent seasons. Now, the Bears are the class of the NFC North, and the continued fallout from their playoff matchup with Green Bay serves as evidence of this.
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While both teams have undergone notable offseason changes, the core remains in place for both sides. It is worth noting as well that it is far from just the historical rivalry that plays into this narrative, but the head coaches themselves. All of this goes back to Johnson pointing out how much he enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur.
Fans would pay attention to this and later note what appeared to be very brief and cool interactions between the two coaches. Not only is there this dynamic for the Bears to play into, but the franchise now has the ultimate mental edge of understanding that even an unreasonable deficit can be overcome against a team that has proven they will fold when the lights are at their brightest.
It leaves Chicago respecting but not fearing any of its rivals heading into the 2026 season. This is a new feeling for younger Bears fans, who have spent much of the past two decades in frustration. Understanding the gravity of the divisional advantage the Bears now boast simply cannot be understated for a historic franchise that has long been overdue for what appears to be a chance at consistent revenge.
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