From the moment the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers were put on the calendar, everyone was circling those two games as the big matchups of the 2025 season for residents of the Windy City.

Green Bay has some extra motivation going into this game after remembering the words Bears head coach Ben Johnson uttered in his introductory press conference.

“I kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year.”

Many within the Packers organization didn’t forget about that. It’s different, though, for Packers star defensive player Micah Parsons, who isn’t focused on the rivalry as much as on the type of opponent the Bears are.

“Rivalries are for the people. They’re for the fans.”

“I just don’t like them because I just see the disrespect that comes with the Bears. I play for respect. You know how to earn someone’s respect is beating the s**t out of them.”

Parsons just opened a pandora’s box he can’t close now with Bears

This Chicago Bears team has undoubtedly done more and should have already earned the respect of every team in the NFL. Parsons might be forgetting that Chicago leads the NFC North division at 9-3 and holds the NFC’s top seed.

After constant criticism for not beating teams with winning records, the Chicago Bears went back-to-back weeks, taking down the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles. One of those teams, the Eagles, beat the Packers not too long ago. Interesting.

Sure, the Packers can continue to brag about the dominance in the rivalry over the last 10 to 15 years, but the messaging this year is that this isn’t the same Bears team. Those from the past were no match for Green Bay. This Chicago Bears team is different.

Green Bay is about to face the number one rushing attack in the NFL, currently averaging 153.8 yards per game. The Bears’ defense has created an NFL-high 26 turnovers on the season.

These things don’t happen by accident. The Chicago Bears have earned every yard and turnover this season.

Chicago is ready to quiet the cheeseheads on the other side and, once and for all, become the real owners of these rivals. All it will take is one game to silence all of Wisconsin and prove why Illinois rules supremacy in the NFL’s oldest and greatest rivalry.