Chicago Bears defense has to be feeling a little bit more confident going into Sunday night. It’s not every day a 27-year old superstar pass rusher joins your ranks a week before the start of the season. That’s what happened when the team traded for Khalil Mack. Suddenly a top 10 defense received a player who is good for 10 sacks a year and demands constant double teams every week.
After enduring ugly 35-14 and 26-6 defeats the past two years up at Lambeau, this might be the first chance the defense has to shine against their arch nemesis, Aaron Rodgers. However, that isn’t the only reason they should feel confident. There is another far more overlooked development that people haven’t talked about this offseason.
That is the departure of former All-Pro wide receiver Jordy Nelson. Green Bay decided to part ways with him after a long and productive run. His 2017 didn’t go too well, though the injury to Rodgers may have had something to do with that. Now it’s Rodgers who must adjust to life without Nelson. It isn’t a thing he is used to since they’ve been together dating back to when the QB became the starter in 2008.
While he’ll never admit it, Rodgers is going to miss Nelson a lot. The numbers prove it.
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Bears defense has every reason to celebrate the Jordy Nelson exit
Since becoming the starting in 2008, Rodgers has had Nelson in the lineup. However, there were instances where the two-time MVP had to go without his favorite target. Did it end up making a difference at all? I dug deeper into the numbers and came away with a shocking revelation.
Rodgers with Nelson in the lineup since 2008
- 2662-of-4035 completed
- 32,561 yards
- 265 touchdowns
- 66 interceptions
- 105.76 passer rating
Rodgers without Nelson in the lineup since 2008
- 491-of-801 completed
- 5,612 yards
- 47 touchdowns
- 11 interceptions
- 96.19 quarterback rating
While Rodgers’ numbers without Nelson are still impressive, they are definitely tilting a little more towards mortal. In his career, the Pro Bowl wide receiver was a Bears killer. He caught 68 passes for 1,060 yards in 17 games against them, both of which were career-highs. His eight touchdowns were also the second-most he ever had against any team.
The last time Rodgers didn’t have Nelson in the huddle against the Bears? He played his worst game ever against them during the infamous Thanksgiving defeat on Brett Favre Night in 2015. He went 22-of-43 for 202 yards, a TD, an interception and a pedestrian 62.4 quarterback rating. So there’s no way people can try to explain away that not having Nelson doesn’t matter. It does.
The best part is this defense is hands down more talented than the one that performed so well that night. If they play up to their customary level, it could be a long night for Rodgers and that normally confident Packers offense.
