Getty Image / Todd Rosenberg
The Green Bay Packers have owned the Chicago Bears in recent years. Since 2004, the Packers have won 29 of the 40 regular season matchups between the two heated rivals.
But, the Bears are trying to change that as they undergo a massive rebuild that’s nearing completion. They acquired stud defensive end Montez Sweat at the trade deadline last year, and he wants the Packers to know that their dominance of the Bears is over.
Here’s Pro Football Talk with more.
During an appearance on the Green Light podcast with Chris Long, Sweat said he’s planning to put that streak to bed this fall.
“I’m telling you right now, I’m not losing to Green Bay this year,” Sweat said, via NBCSportsChicago.com. “I can’t do it. I can’t do it, man. I’m not losing to Green Bay this year.”
The Packers swept both matchups, winning in Week 1, 38-20, and Week 18, 17-9. As you can see, the Bears defense did a much better job the second time with Sweat in the lineup. But, it wasn’t enough, and had the Bears won, they would’ve been able to keep the Packers out of the playoffs.
Both teams should be among the best young teams in the league. Green Bay was the fourth-youngest playoff team ever last year with an average age of just under 26. Quarterback Jordan Love went from nearly getting benched midseason to playing great down the stretch. He looks he could be the next star Packers quarterback.
Meanwhile, the Bears won six of their last nine games last year, and have the first-overall and ninth-overall picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. They’re almost certainly going to take USC quarterback Caleb Williams with that first pick in the hopes that they can contend right away.
Montez Sweat would be a big part of that. The 27-year-old is a solid pass rusher, with 41.5 sacks in his five-year career. But, where he shines is setting the edge against the run. He may be the best in the league at that, which allows new Bears defensive coordinator Eric Washington to get creative with packages, personnel, and formations.
Still, calling his shot against the Packers is a bold move, even if the Bears should be much improved. I’m sure Packers fans will be eager to remind Sweat of his comments if Green Bay beats Chicago in one of their two matchups next year.