The Jordan Love Era: Can He Keep the Packers’ Dominance Over the Bears Alive?
The Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. It’s a rivalry steeped in history, tradition, and, more recently, Green Bay dominance. As the NFL landscape evolves, one question looms large for fans on both sides of the Fox River: Can Jordan Love maintain the Packers’ stronghold over their rivals from the Windy City? With the Packers winning 11 straight games against the Bears, tying the longest winning streak by either team in the history of the series, the pressure is on.
The Legacy of Domination
For years, the Bears have been living in the shadow of Lambeau Field. The numbers paint a clear picture: The Packers hold an all-time record of 108-95-6 against the Bears. The transition from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers only intensified this disparity. Rodgers, in particular, seemed to relish playing against the Bears, boasting a career record of 25-5 against them. His infamous “I own you!” declaration in 2021 only added salt to the wound for Chicago fans.
Many hoped that Rodgers’ departure would signal a shift in the balance of power. However, the 2024 season saw Jordan Love step up and continue the Packers’ winning ways against the Bears, securing two more victories and extending the Packers’ winning streak. In fact, Jordan Love has more wins against the Chicago Bears (3) than the Bears have wins against the Green Bay Packers in the last 8 years (1).
Jordan Love: The New Sheriff in Town
Jordan Love’s ascension to the starting quarterback role in Green Bay marked a new chapter for the Packers. After spending three seasons as Rodgers’ backup, Love inherited a team with high expectations and a fanbase eager to see if he could live up to the legacy of his predecessors.
Love’s first season as a starter in 2023 was a mixed bag, but it showed flashes of brilliance. By 2024, Love had clearly established himself as the Packers’ franchise quarterback, signing a four-year contract extension worth $220 million.
In 2024, Love completed 268 of 425 passes for 3,389 yards, with 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He led the Packers to an 11-6 record and a playoff berth. While these numbers might not be eye-popping, they represent a solid foundation upon which Love can build.
The 2024 Season: A Year of Growth
The 2024 season was not without its challenges for Love. An MCL sprain suffered in Week 1 against the Eagles in Brazil threatened to derail his season. However, he only missed two games and returned to lead the Packers to a strong finish.
While Love’s passing yards and touchdown numbers decreased compared to 2023, his completion percentage improved, and he demonstrated a better command of the offense. He also showed resilience in the face of adversity, bouncing back from slow starts and injuries to lead the Packers to key victories.
The Bears’ Perspective: A Struggle for Relevance
For the Bears, the past decade has been a period of frustration and rebuilding. Despite drafting Caleb Williams #1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, the team still found themselves in crisis mode after firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron just nine games into the season. Head coach Matt Eberflus was fired after the Thanksgiving game in Week 13. The Bears finished the season with a 24–22 win over the Packers, their first win over their division rival since the 2018 season.
The Bears have struggled to find stability at the quarterback position, cycling through 15 different starters since 2000, while the Packers have enjoyed consistent success with Favre, Rodgers, and now Love.
Can Love Maintain the Dominance?
The question remains: Can Jordan Love continue the Packers’ dominance over the Bears? Several factors suggest that he can:
- Love’s Development: Love has shown steady improvement since taking over as the starter. With another year of experience under his belt, he is poised to take his game to the next level.
- The Packers’ Supporting Cast: The Packers have surrounded Love with a talented group of young receivers and a solid offensive line. This supporting cast will be crucial to his success.
- Matt LaFleur’s Coaching: Head coach Matt LaFleur has a proven track record of developing quarterbacks and creating successful offenses. His guidance will be invaluable for Love.
- The Bears’ Instability: The Bears continue to struggle with coaching changes, roster turnover, and quarterback development. Until they find stability in these areas, it will be difficult for them to compete with the Packers.
The Future of the Rivalry
The Packers-Bears rivalry is one of the most storied in NFL history. While the Packers have dominated in recent years, the Bears are determined to turn the tide. With Caleb Williams now at quarterback, the Bears have a reason for optimism.
However, Jordan Love and the Packers are not about to relinquish their hold on the rivalry. As Love continues to develop and the Packers maintain their organizational stability, they are well-positioned to remain the dominant force in this historic matchup.
The Jordan Love era is underway, and the question of whether he can keep the Packers’ dominance over the Bears alive will be a central storyline in the years to come. For Packers fans, the answer is a resounding yes. For Bears fans, the hope is that their team can finally rise to the challenge and restore some balance to this classic rivalry.