It isn’t talked about much because of other distractions over the past decade, but one thing has stuck in my craw about the Chicago Bears in that time. It is how little seriousness they gave to the Green Bay Packers rivalry. One of the great things about Lovie Smith, for all his faults, was he understood right away how much beating the Packers meant to Bears fans. Since his departure in 2013, it feels like those running the organization failed to grasp the same reality. They’d give that classic line that sounds smart but isn’t at all. “Every game is equally important.” No, guys. It isn’t. That is why it’s time to appreciate this new Bears generation. Jaquan Brisker is the latest example.
The second-year safety is working his way back from an injury that has kept him out for multiple weeks. He admitted he’s anxious to return because he wants to play Green Bay. He wants to feel the energy of the Soldier Field crowd when the Bears finally beat them.
“I didn’t even get to play last year, the second game here in Chicago, so I didn’t really get the vibes. I wasn’t even at the stadium.
“But now, I’m itching. I’m waiting. It’s Packers week, so I know it’s going to be live in the stadium. Fans everywhere. It’s going to be loud. People hate Green Bay. I hate Green Bay. I can’t wait. They didn’t get to see me last year. They are going to get to see me this year.”
It is clear how serious Brisker is about this. He’s embraced the rivalry from the outset. He isn’t the only one, either. Other young members of the roster have taken up the battle cry, including Justin Fields and others.
Jaquan Brisker is getting the Bears into the right mindset.
Treating Green Bay like just another opponent is a recipe for failure. A good example is when Ohio State coaches stopped treating Michigan like the arch-rivals they were in the 1980s and 1990s. The Wolverines won 14 of 21 matchups during that stretch. Not until Jim Tressel took over as head coach and embraced the rivalry did the Buckeyes flip the script. Brisker’s comments indicate the Bears are regaining a similar mindset to the Packers. Maybe this generation will be the one to finally tip the scale back in Chicago’s favor.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
It won’t be easy. Green Bay hasn’t dominated for this long by being a bad team. Their roster is still flush with talent. Aaron Rodgers might be gone, but wounded animals are often at their most dangerous. Jaquan Brisker wants to help set the tone this season. He and the defense can do that by getting the Jordan Love era off to a rough start. One thing is certain. The Bears will come out with plenty of intensity in this game. If the defense can force a few turnovers, it might be what the team needs to finally get over the hump.
