The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, the NFL’s oldest rivals, will face each other in a highly anticipated Week One matchup. Of course, many fans are excited/anxious to watch Jordan Love start his first regular season game since taking over as the starting quarterback following Aaron Rodgers‘ trade to the New York Jets. (Love did start one game as Rodgers’ backup; a forgettable loss on the road to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021).
While all eyes will be on Love, there will be other important storylines to watch during the game (and again in Week 18, when the two teams meet again). 2023 is not just a big year for the Packers’ new starting quarterback, it is a time of uncertainty within the division. Green Bay can make a statement early if each of these three storylines progress in their favor on Sunday.
1. Chicago Bears Quarterback Justin Fields Is Looking for His First Win vs the Green Bay Packers
Apc Pack Vs Bears 4284 091822wag
When the Packers traded Rodgers to the Jets, there was no fanbase happier or more excited than Bears fans. One has to imagine that, in many ways, it is the closest joy they will ever feel to that which comes from one’s winning a Super Bowl.
Similarly, Bears quarterback Justin Fields also has begun to think of himself as the King of the North since Rodgers’ departure:
Justin Fields 2023 NFL script has him winning the NFC North. pic.twitter.com/E1Qyac5NyY
— Pepper Brooks (@pepbrooksESPN) September 1, 2023
Now that is some awfully big talk from a quarterback that is 1-8 against his division in his career. That includes a 0-4 record against the Packers. Fields and the Bears obviously think that flipping the switch from 3-14 to division winners is easy. Hopefully Green Bay can remind them of why they had the number one pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
2. The Return of Rashan Gary
Apc Packvsbears 1212211481djp
The return of Rashan Gary to the Packers’ defense is a development that cannot be understated. While he will be playing on a limited snap count for a while, Gary is a disruptor like no one else on the team.
His ability to return less than a year after tearing his ACL is nothing short of incredible. If the defense can take a step forward with him on the field, it will take a lot of pressure off of Love and the offense.
3. Green Bay Packers Tight Ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft vs Their Predecessors
If Week One saw the Packers taking on the Jets, it would be the most hyped game of the year. Love versus Rodgers would definitely be a spectacle.
Of course, that is not happening and may not happen for all we know. But what is interesting about the Week One matchup is the fact that it will see the Packers’ two rookie tight ends, Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft, on one side while the two players they replaced, Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis, are on the other.
It will be interesting to see how the play of the two pairs of tight ends contrasts.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
