I’m going to state the obvious: The Chicago Bears’ season is unraveling. What started as a promising 4-2 campaign with hopes for the playoffs, cheers of a competitive culture and a renewal of interest by the fans has spiraled into a skid that highlights the franchise’s longstanding issues. Perhaps none of these issues is more glaring than their inability to shed the “little brother” label when it comes to their storied “rivalry” with the Green Bay Packers. For the past 10 years, the rivalry has had a consistent setting; most years, Bears fans wait with anticipation for that autumn matchup against the Packers with thoughts of revenge on their minds. For Packers fans, it’s a tune-up game where they get to remind their “little brothers” about who is in control of this rivalry. Unfortunately for residents of the Windy City, the Big Brothers have reminded the Bears over and over about their place within this history.

Sunday’s 20-19 loss marked the Bears’ 11th consecutive defeat in the series, the longest streak in the history of a matchup that was once far more balanced. At this point, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to even call this a “rivalry.” After all, what defines a rival? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a rival is “one of two or more striving to reach or obtain something that only one can possess.” In the NFL, teams strive for a division title, a conference championship, and ultimately, the Super Bowl. While you can occasionally bypass a divisional crown to achieve the other two, the goal is to secure all three—a mark of a truly competitive franchise. In a true rivalry, both teams act as barriers to each other’s success, fighting to achieve these shared goals. But when it comes to Bears-Packers, what have the Bears accomplished? Since 2014, they’ve claimed just one division title and beaten the Packers only twice. Meanwhile, Green Bay has consistently made the playoffs and relegated the Bears to irrelevance within the NFC North. For all intents and purposes, this isn’t a rivalry anymore. The numbers make that clear. The Packers now lead the all-time series 108-95-6, a commanding margin that reflects not just a recent trend but a seismic shift in dominance over the decades. The brutal truth is that the Bears haven’t beaten Green Bay in their last 10 attempts and rivalries thrive on competition, but this one feels more akin to an annual asswhooping than a rivalry.

This trend and these losses have left some unanswered questions: Where is the leadership? Where is the accountability? As with any struggle in sports, there comes a point when blame needs to be assigned. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, viewed as the future of the franchise, has shown flashes of brilliance but his development remains inconsistent—a reflection of the instability surrounding him. One week, he dazzles with performances like his four-touchdown outing against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The next, he struggles with bad habits, such as holding onto the ball too long or failing to take his checkdowns, as seen in the November 10th loss to the New England Patriots. While this inconsistency led to the firing of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, one wonders about the decisions that went into hiring Waldron in the first place . In Caleb’s first game without Waldron, he displayed impressive poise, clutch decision-making, and determination, sparking hope that he might still develop into the player Chicago desperately needs. But was his inconsistency simply a product of Waldron’s poor coaching, or does it point to deeper rot within the organization? That’s where head coach Matt Eberflus comes into focus. Under Eberflus’ leadership, the Bears’ flaws have only become more pronounced. Caleb’s struggles aren’t the first time this has happened to a young Quarterback. Justin Fields went through a similar process during his team, including struggles from the offensive coordinator role. So, when you add Justin’s & Caleb’s inconsistent development, it all reflects back on Eberflus’ decisions. Whether it’s questionable hirings, puzzling personnel groupings, or baffling in-game calls, the blame logically necessitates his inclusion. His puzzling decisions have been obvious during this current season. In Week 8’s loss against the Washington Commanders, Eberflus inexplicably allowed Washington to gain extra yards late in the game, setting up room for an improbable Hail Mary that stunned them. Then, in Sunday’s loss to Green Bay, he burned precious time by opting for a 40 plus yard field goal instead of trusting his offense to gain more yards for a closer attempt—or better yet, a touchdown.

“Tough Times don’t last, Tough People do” - Matt Eberflus

The Bears’ issues increasingly point to Eberflus’ struggles as a head coach, and these cannot be ignored any longer. For Chicago to move forward, the leadership at the top must be held accountable. The question now should not be whether Eberflus can right the ship, it should be about who can replace him so that the Bears can become a true contender because 3 years of Eberflus’s direction have failed to produce it.

That withstanding, pinning all the blame on Eberflus would miss the bigger picture. This team is a product of General Manager Ryan Poles’ vision. He entered the offseason with significant resources—ample cap space and draft capital—but the roster still feels incomplete. Poles opted to pursue high value skill players while ignoring the glaring holes on the offensive and defensive line. Those costly decisions have been apparent during this recent skid. The patchwork offensive he produced cannot protect Williams consistently, with them allowing a season high NINE sacks against the New England Patriots, which was coming off a 6 sack performance the week before. On the defensive side of the ball, the lack of interior pressure has allowed this talented defense to fold in critical moments. In their matchup against the Packers, their only sack came when Jordan Love scrambled towards the end zone, after he failed to find an open receiver.

This isn’t just about losing to Green Bay. It’s about what those losses represent. Rivalries are supposed to bring out the best in a team, to push them to rise above their limitations. Instead, the Packers games have become a microcosm of everything wrong with the Bears: poor execution, questionable leadership, and a glaring lack of identity. I’ve stated this numerous times during my time covering this team: Chicago deserves better. Bears fans, who hold the Bears to near religious significance in their hearts, deserve a team that matches their passion and resilience. Instead, they’ve been left with a franchise that can’t seem to get out of its own way. The clock is ticking for Poles and Eberflus. If they can’t right the ship soon, this season will end up being another tick in the hamster wheel from hell.

To break free from this frustrating cycle, the Bears need more than just tweaks—they need wholesale change. They need new leadership, a bold vision, and an unflinching commitment to accountability. While the Bears have slid into the role of lovable losers, their divisional rivals are moving in the opposite direction. The Detroit Lions, once the league's perennial punchline, have transformed into a powerhouse, poised to secure another division title and even contend for a Super Bowl. The Packers remain a consistent threat, and the Vikings—despite losing their first-round quarterback to injury—have rallied behind Sam Darnold and clawed their way into playoff contention.

These realities should light a fire under Bears President & CEO Kevin Warren. Brought in to usher the franchise into a new era, Warren must recognize that the transformation begins with assembling a staff that shares his passion, vision, and sense of urgency. Right now, GM Ryan Poles and HC Matt Eberflus have delivered a product that feels more like a relic of the past than a step toward a brighter future. The only question left now is simple: What will Kevin Warren do to turn this franchise around?

Little Brother: The Chicago Bears' Struggles Against the Packers and Themselves Continue