The Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears: NFL’s Oldest Rivalry

31 May 2026

When you think about football rivalries, there are a few that stand above the rest. But none stand quite as tall—or as long—as the rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. This is more than just a game; it's a battle steeped in history, tradition, and, quite frankly, a bit of bitterness. Welcome to the NFL's oldest and most iconic rivalry.

A Rivalry Rooted in History

The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears rivalry dates back to 1921, making it the oldest continuous rivalry in the NFL. That's right, over 100 years of head-to-head battles, blood, sweat, and tears. Think about that for a second: the world has changed in ways we couldn’t even imagine back then, but one thing has remained constant—Packers vs. Bears.

From their first meeting in November 1921, these two teams have faced off over 200 times. That's more games than any other rivalry in the league, and with each passing year, the tension only seems to grow. It’s a clash of cultures, cities, and even football philosophies.

Green Bay, a small town with a population of just over 100,000, vs. Chicago, one of America's largest cities. It’s the classic David vs. Goliath matchup—except, in this case, David’s been holding his own for over a century.

The Early Years: A Rough Start

The early years of the Packers-Bears rivalry were dominated by Chicago. In fact, the Bears (then known as the Decatur Staleys) handed Green Bay a 20-0 defeat in their first-ever matchup. Ouch. Over the next decade, Chicago consistently had the upper hand, winning multiple NFL championships in the 1920s and 1930s.

But Green Bay wasn’t about to stay down for long. Under legendary coach Curly Lambeau, the Packers began to claw their way back into contention. By the 1940s, they had flipped the script and were regularly contending for NFL titles. What we had now was a true rivalry—two teams that hated losing to each other and had the talent to make every matchup must-see TV (or radio, back in the day).

The Lombardi and Halas Eras: Legends on the Sideline

You can’t talk about this rivalry without mentioning two of the most iconic names in NFL history: Vince Lombardi and George Halas. These two coaches were the epitome of old-school football: tough, demanding, and always about winning.

Lombardi transformed the Packers into a dynasty in the 1960s, winning five NFL championships and the first two Super Bowls. His Packers were defined by their precision, power running game, and stout defense. Chicago, on the other hand, was known for its bruising defense, a tradition Halas instilled in the Bears and one that would define the franchise for years to come.

Games between these two teams during this era were like watching heavyweight boxers go at it—punch, counterpunch, and whoever could survive the longest would come out on top. The Lombardi-Halas era only intensified the rivalry, adding layers of respect and animosity between the two franchises.

The 1980s: The Bears Strike Back

Fast forward to the 1980s, when the rivalry reached a fever pitch. The Packers were struggling, but the Bears? Oh, they were thriving. Led by Mike Ditka, the Bears had one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history, known as the "Monsters of the Midway."

The 1985 Bears were a juggernaut, finishing the season with a 15-1 record and steamrolling their way to a Super Bowl victory. The Packers, meanwhile, were in the middle of a rough patch, and the Bears took full advantage. Chicago won 15 of the 20 matchups between the two teams during the 1980s. If you were a Packers fan back then, it was tough sledding.

But rivalries have a way of reigniting when you least expect it, and that’s exactly what happened in the 1990s.

The Brett Favre Era: Packers Dominate

Enter Brett Favre, a gunslinger from Mississippi who would go on to change the course of Packers history—and this rivalry—forever. Favre became the Packers' starting quarterback in 1992, and from that moment on, Green Bay began to dominate the rivalry.

Favre was the ultimate competitor, the kind of guy who would throw a touchdown pass with three defenders hanging off his jersey. Under his leadership and that of coach Mike Holmgren, the Packers won 13 straight games against the Bears from 1994 to 1998. Favre's fiery style and never-quit attitude epitomized what Green Bay fans loved—and what Chicago fans loved to hate.

The Packers' dominance in the 1990s culminated in a Super Bowl XXXI victory in 1997, a moment that further cemented their superiority in the rivalry at the time.

The Rodgers Era: A New Chapter

When Brett Favre finally left Green Bay in 2008, many wondered if the Packers would fall back into mediocrity. They didn’t. Instead, they found another future Hall of Famer in Aaron Rodgers. And guess what? Rodgers continued to torment the Bears, just like Favre did before him.

Rodgers has had some of his most iconic moments against Chicago. Remember his 2013 “miracle” touchdown pass to Randall Cobb that knocked the Bears out of playoff contention? How about his "I still own you!" shout to the Bears fans in 2021 after scoring a crucial touchdown? Yeah, Rodgers has been a thorn in Chicago’s side for over a decade.

Under Rodgers, the Packers have consistently been one of the top teams in the NFL, and their dominance over the Bears has continued. The Packers have won 23 of the last 30 meetings against Chicago, and Rodgers' career record against the Bears speaks for itself.

Memorable Moments in the Rivalry

With over 100 years of history, it’s no surprise that there have been some unforgettable moments in this rivalry. Here are a few that stand out:

1. The "Instant Replay Game" (1989)

In Week 11 of the 1989 season, the Packers defeated the Bears 14-13 in what became known as the "Instant Replay Game." With less than a minute remaining, Don Majkowski threw a touchdown pass to Sterling Sharpe. Initially, the play was flagged for an illegal forward pass, but after a lengthy review, the call was overturned, giving the Packers the win. Bears fans are still salty about this one.

2. Brett Favre's First Start Against Chicago (1992)

Favre's first-ever start against the Bears came in 1992. He led the Packers to a 17-3 victory, and the rest, as they say, is history. It was the beginning of an era of dominance for Green Bay.

3. The NFC Championship Game (2010)

The stakes were never higher than in the 2010 NFC Championship Game. With a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, the Packers defeated the Bears 21-14 at Soldier Field. It was a gut-wrenching loss for Chicago fans and a moment of pure joy for Green Bay, who went on to win Super Bowl XLV.

The Present and Future: New Faces, Same Rivalry

As of now, both teams are in a bit of a transition. With Aaron Rodgers recently leaving Green Bay for the New York Jets, the Packers are placing their hopes in young quarterback Jordan Love. Over in Chicago, the Bears are building around talented young QB Justin Fields.

While both teams have experienced ups and downs in recent years, one thing remains constant: the hatred between these two teams. Every time they face off, you can feel the tension in the air. Whether it's a battle for first place in the NFC North or a struggle to avoid the division cellar, Packers vs. Bears is always must-watch football.

The future is uncertain, but one thing’s for sure: this rivalry isn’t going anywhere. Whether it’s Love vs. Fields or some future quarterbacks we haven’t even heard of yet, the Packers and Bears will continue to battle it out for NFL supremacy. And every time they do, fans from both sides will be glued to their screens, hearts pounding, hoping for bragging rights.

Why This Rivalry Matters

At the end of the day, rivalries like Packers vs. Bears are the lifeblood of sports. They give us something to look forward to, to argue about at work, and to bond over with fellow fans. It’s not just about football; it’s about tradition, history, and community.

When the Packers and Bears meet, it’s not just another game on the schedule. It’s a chance to be a part of something bigger than yourself—a rivalry that spans generations, where the past always feels present, and the future is always uncertain.

So, whether you bleed green and gold or navy and orange, you know that Packers vs. Bears is more than just a game. It’s football at its finest.