The Green Bay Packers are bracing for a heated clash with the Chicago Bears in Week 5 of the NFL season, with linebacker Zaire Franklin openly acknowledging the deep-seated rivalry between the two teams. Franklin told local reporter Vince Lovergine that there is “a lot of bad blood” between the clubs, adding, “Nowadays most rivalries are on social media and the offseason you’re hanging out. I don’t think anybody wants to hang out with the Bears in the offseason.”
The Packers have had a mixed start to their 2026 campaign, winning some close games but struggling with consistency. Their upcoming game against Chicago is already drawing attention given the history and tension that defines one of the NFL’s oldest rivalries.
Last season, the Packers and Bears met three times, including in the NFC Wild Card round, where the Bears won two of those matchups. Green Bay jumped out to a 21-6 lead entering the fourth quarter in the playoff game, but Chicago staged a remarkable comeback, scoring 25 points in the final quarter to secure the victory.
Green Bay will be eager to avoid a repeat of that collapse when they face the Bears this Sunday. The Packers want to build momentum early in the season and string together wins, while Chicago will be without their starting quarterback Caleb Williams. Despite his absence, the Bears have proven they can be a dangerous team, making the matchup far from straightforward.
The rivalry extends beyond the field. Franklin’s comments suggest there’s a genuine animosity that fuels the competition. Unlike many modern rivalries that simmer mostly online or in fan forums, the Packers and Bears maintain a personal edge, with players acknowledging they don’t socialize during the offseason.
This week’s game is already shaping up as a test of discipline and focus for Green Bay, which has faced some defensive challenges. The team recently worked out five linebackers after losing Edgerrin Cooper for the season, an effort to shore up their defensive depth ahead of this critical NFC North contest.
The Bears-Packers rivalry has long been defined by its unpredictability and intensity, with each encounter carrying weight far beyond the standings. This season’s Week 5 meeting will add another chapter, with Franklin’s remarks setting the tone for a contest fueled by history and genuine rivalry.
According to Yahoo Sports.
