The Chicago Bears will kick off the 2023 NFL season against the rival Green Bay Packers today at Soldier Field.
It’s a new chapter in the NFL’s oldest rivalry, following the departure of Aaron Rodgers. Now, it’ll be Jordan Love taking the reins, where he’ll battle the likes of Bears quarterback Justin Fields.
Buy Bears TicketsChicago is looking to snap an eight-game losing streak against their rivals, with their last victory coming in Dec. 2018.
When the Bears and Packers face off, there will be plenty of familiar faces. Between the two teams, there are some player and coach connections. Let’s take a look:
1
Bears OC Luke Getsy
Getsy is entering his second season as the Bears offensive coordinator, where he’s being entrusted to develop hopeful franchise quarterback Justin Fields. But before Getsy came to Chicago, he spent seven years in Green Bay, where he held roles as offensive quality control coach, wide receivers coach, quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.
2
TE Robert Tonyan
Tonyan signed a one-year deal with the Bears this offseason, where he’ll serve as a 1-2 punch alongside starter Cole Kmet at tight end. Tonyan, a former undrafted free agent, spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Packers, where he proved to be a red-zone threat. Now, he’ll look to serve that same role for quarterback Justin Fields in Chicago. In six seasons, Tonyan recorded 137 catches for 1,437 yards and 17 touchdowns with the Packers.
3
TE Marcedes Lewis
Lewis signed a one-year deal with the Bears this summer, becoming the second former Packers tight end to follow Luke Getsy to Chicago. Lewis spent the last five years in Green Bay (2018-22), where he recorded 57 receptions for 582 yards and six touchdowns. Lewis is entering his 18th season, but he’s still one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL. He’s completes what’s a strong Bears tight end group with Kmet and Tonyan.
4
C Lucas Patrick
Patrick as signed by the Packers as an undrafted free agent back in 2016, where he went on to play for Green Bay for his first six years in the league, where he played both guard and center. As a free agent, Patrick elected to sign with the Bears — and reunite with Luke Getsy — in 2022. Patrick will get the start at center for Chicago in this Week 1 opener.
5
WR Equanimeous St. Brown
St. Brown was a sixth-round pick by the Packers in 2018, where he played four seasons with Green Bay. During his time with the Packers, St. Brown recorded 37 receptions for 543 yards and one touchdown. St. Brown signed a one-year deal with the Bears in 2022, where he saw significant action in his first season after injuries to key starters. The team re-signed him to another one-year deal this offseason.
