The Chicago Bears have had an incredible turnaround when you consider how the 2025 season started. Fast forward to now, when Chicago has won six of its last seven and is currently second in the NFC North, sporting a matching 6-3 record with the Detroit Lions.
While the Lions hold the current tiebreaker, there is nothing but excitement from Bears fans — especially as the Green Bay Packers continue to slide. The Packers appeared to be the class of the division at one point, but have only managed to score 20 combined points in back-to-back losses.
Adding to the Packers' misery, The Athletic's Matt Schneidman reported on Wednesday that starting Green Bay center Elgton Jenkins is unlikely to return from his leg injury this season. Losing the standout blocker is yet another blow to a Packers team that has left the door ajar for both the Bears and Lions to take over the NFC North.
Packers' Worsening Season Is Working in Bears' Favor
It's nice to watch the Packers flounder after years of frustration, not only up against head coach Matt LaFleur, but dating back to the days of Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers. Watching the Packers start to implode while the Bears are taking off is a step beyond exciting, especially if the former's slump leads to Green Bay missing the playoffs.
Things have grown so frustrating for the Packers that a portion of fans are actively calling for LaFleur's job. Much of this angst is due to the fact that the Packers have dropped very winnable games to the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns this season. Add in Monday's home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, where they only managed to score seven points, and there is every reason for Packers fans to pray for the season to end sooner rather than later.
For the Bears, the Packers' dysfunction is complete perfection that they can only hope continues in what appears to be a downward spiral for the hated rival. Adding to this potential fall is the fact that Chicago is scheduled to play Green Bay twice in the remaining schedule, while the Packers will be forced to play the Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, Lions, and Minnesota Vikings as well. This leaves no layups on a schedule that is further setting the table for a potential fall from contention, one that the Bears are going to be able to help aid.
The Bears are now in great positioning and appear to be the lone threat to the Lions for the division title. This is the version of the franchise fans were expecting when head coach Ben Johnson took over this season. Now, not only are the Bears playing at an incredible level, but fans can sit back and enjoy as it continues to come at the expense of a hated rival.
It is hard to imagine a better setup for the Bears as the roster prepares for the home stretch of the 2025 season.