The Green Bay Packers expected another tense, physical night against the Chicago Bears. What they did not expect was for Jordan Love‘s evening to end before halftime, leaving the rivalry game suddenly overshadowed by concern rather than competition.
#Packers QB Jordan Love just took a massive helmet-to-helmet hit. Down on the field and injured. Likely to be evaluated for a concussion: pic.twitter.com/2hL4w7xawu
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) December 21, 2025
The moment came with 8:15 remaining in the second quarter. Facing first and 10, Love tried to escape pressure by scrambling upfield. The Bears defense closed quickly.
As Love lowered his head, defensive end Austin Booker arrived, and the two collided helmet to helmet in a hit that immediately froze the stadium.
Love stayed down for several moments. Trainers rushed onto the field while teammates gathered nearby. When he eventually stood up, he did not head toward the sideline. Instead, he walked directly to the locker room, a clear sign the situation was being treated with urgency.
Soon after, the Green Bay Packers confirmed what many feared: “QB Jordan Love is being evaluated for a concussion. His return is questionable.”
The update shifted the tone of a game that had already been short on offense. Just as in the teams’ first meeting earlier this season, points were hard to find. Green Bay struck first with a 26-yard field goal from Brandon McManus, then added another kick late in the second quarter to build a 6 to 0 lead.
Before leaving the game, Love had completed 8 of 13 passes for 77 yards. It was not a flashy stat line, but he had kept the offense steady in a game built around patience and field position. His absence immediately changed how the Packers operated.
A sudden pivot for Green Bay’s offense
As the second quarter wound down, Green Bay made the call official. Love was ruled out for the remainder of the game with a concussion, ending his night and placing him into the league’s concussion protocol.
Backup quarterback Malik Willis took over under center. His role was limited as the Packers focused on managing the clock and protecting the lead. Willis completed 1 of 3 passes for six yards in the second quarter, with the offense clearly aimed at getting to halftime without further damage.
