Chicago, Illinois – December 18, 2025
The NFC North rivalry just found fresh fuel.

Ahead of the highly anticipated rematch between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams didn’t shy away from the moment — or the message. Still stinging from Chicago’s 28–21 loss at Lambeau Field in Week 13, Williams made it clear that the upcoming showdown is personal.

“We’re going to take back what we lost in Week 13,” Williams said this week. “And let’s be real — without Micah, the Packers aren’t the same. They’re not that team anymore.”

The comment immediately set off waves across social media and locker rooms around the division. With Micah Parsons officially ruled out for the season after tearing his ACL, Williams’ words landed as both a challenge and a provocation — aimed directly at Green Bay’s defensive identity.

From Chicago’s perspective, the confidence isn’t surprising. Williams showed flashes of brilliance in the first meeting, and the Bears believe the matchup tilts differently without the Packers’ premier pass rusher disrupting the pocket. To Williams, the rematch represents more than a playoff swing — it’s a chance to flip the narrative.

But if Williams was expecting a war of words, Jordan Love refused to take the bait.

Asked about Williams’ remarks, the Packers quarterback responded with calm, measured confidence — and a reminder of how Green Bay views itself.

“The Packers aren’t built around one player,” Love said. “We’re a team. A collective. Everyone has a job, and everyone steps up when it’s their turn. That’s how we’ve won, and that’s how we’ll keep winning.”

Love’s answer resonated inside the Packers locker room, where the message since Parsons’ injury has been consistent: no excuses, no panic. Green Bay leaned on that mindset in Week 13, surviving a late Bears push thanks to a clutch interception by Keisean Nixon and a decisive touchdown drive capped by Josh Jacobs.

For Love, the focus isn’t on what’s missing — it’s on what remains.

“We respect Caleb and what he can do,” Love added. “But we don’t play this game as individuals. We play it as 11 guys doing their job. That hasn’t changed.”

The contrast couldn’t be clearer. Chicago is leaning into emotion and revenge. Green Bay is leaning into identity and execution.

With first place in the NFC North still within reach and postseason positioning hanging in the balance, the rematch is shaping up as one of the most charged games of the season — not just because of playoff stakes, but because of pride.

Williams wants payback.
Love believes in the system.

And on Saturday night, one of those mindsets will define the division.