Packers Poised to Exploit Bears' Weakened Secondary in 2026

Green Bay looks to capitalize on Chicago's offseason losses in the defensive backfield.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:04pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a football game between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette.The Packers' passing attack looks to capitalize on the Bears' depleted secondary in their divisional matchups.Chicago Today

The Green Bay Packers are entering the 2026 season with high expectations, and they may have an easier path to success against their NFC North rival Chicago Bears. After the Bears lost several key contributors in their secondary this offseason, the Packers are well-positioned to take advantage of Chicago's weakened defensive backfield in their two matchups next season.

Why it matters

The Packers-Bears rivalry is one of the fiercest in the NFL, and the outcome of their head-to-head games can have major implications for the division title and playoff positioning. With the Bears' secondary taking a step back, the Packers have an opportunity to gain an edge in the divisional race.

The details

The Bears lost starting cornerback Nahshon Wright in free agency, and they also face injury concerns with Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon. The team's depth at defensive back is also a concern, with Terell Smith and Zah Frazier both missing the 2025 season due to injury. The Bears were able to sign Coby Bryant from the Seahawks, but they still have an opening at the other starting cornerback spot that could be filled by a rookie draft pick, potentially leading to a learning curve.

  • The Packers and Bears are scheduled to face off twice during the 2026 NFL season.

The players

Jordan Love

The Packers' starting quarterback, who had success against the Bears' defense last season.

Malik Willis

The Packers' backup quarterback, who also had a strong performance against the Bears in 2025.

Nahshon Wright

A former Bears starting cornerback who signed with the Jets in free agency.

Jaylon Johnson

A Bears cornerback who has struggled with injuries in his career.

Kyler Gordon

Another Bears cornerback who has had injury issues.

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What’s next

The Packers and Bears will face off twice during the 2026 NFL season, with their first matchup scheduled for Week 4 and the second in Week 14.

The takeaway

The Packers have a golden opportunity to gain an advantage over their division rivals, the Bears, due to the significant losses and injuries in Chicago's secondary. This could give Green Bay a leg up in their two meetings next season as they look to reclaim the NFC North title.