5 Packers players to watch vs. Bears in Week 1
We’re just hours away from the start of the 2023 NFL season for the Chicago Bears, and they kick things off by renewing their historic rivalry with the Green Bay Packers. The Bears and Packers meet for the 207th time, but this matchup will look a bit different than ones in the past.
For the first time in over three decades, the Packers will open the season with someone other than Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers starting at quarterback as they enter a new era. All eyes will be on fourth-year quarterback Jordan Love as he officially takes over for Rodgers. But while Love is easily the most intriguing player on Green Bay, there are others to watch for as well.
Here are five Packers players we’ll be watching on Sunday.
1. QB Jordan Love
There may not be a more intriguing player across the NFL on Sunday when Love takes the field as the new Packers starting quarterback. Love is entering his fourth season in the NFL but is starting just his second regular-season game. Aside from a rushed road start in 2021 and getting mop-up duty in 2022, Love is basically a mystery as a quarterback and is about to finally provide answers this Sunday against the Bears.
The Packers will likely look to establish the ground attack early on with Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon to give Love some breathing room, but sooner or later, Green Bay will need to open up the passing game. Will Love be up for the challenge, or will the Bears defense take advantage of him and make his head spin in the pocket? We’re close to finding out the answer.
2. WR Jayden Reed
Green Bay’s receiving corps is young and unproven, but they could look a lot more green than expected on Sunday. Starting second-year receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs were both on the injury report Wednesday, and one or both could be in danger of missing the opener. If that were to happen, rookie Jayden Reed would be the top option in the passing game for Love.
Reed was drafted by the Packers in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Michigan State. He went higher than most predicted but has the ability to play multiple receiver positions and impressed during the preseason. He’s also a native of the Chicagoland area and could look to make a statement in his hometown. Even if Watson and Doubs play, Reed will get his touches. If they don’t, he’ll be targeted early and often.
3. LT David Bakhtiari
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At 31 years old, Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari is now the longest-tenured player on the team following the departures of Aaron Rodgers, Randall Cobb, and Mason Crosby. Bakhtiari is no stranger to this rivalry, but Bears fans may have forgotten about him over the last few years. Due to injuries and other medical procedures, Bakhtiari hasn’t played in a Bears-Packers matchup since November of 2020. He hasn’t played a snap at Soldier Field since 2019. Now he makes his return against a defensive line that looks completely different than the one he saw three years ago.
Despite the injuries, Bakhtiari still plays at an elite level when he’s healthy. The former All-Pro didn’t allow a single sack last year while playing just under 600 snaps, according to PFF. The Bears defensive line will have its work cut out for them on the left side and will need to beat Bakhtiari in order to get to Love.
4. LB Rashan Gary
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Moving from the offensive line to the defensive line, edge rusher Rashan Gary presents a tough matchup for the Bears young tackles. In Week 2 last year, Gary embarrassed Larry Borom and notched two tackles for a loss, one sack, and one QB hit. He was on his way to a Pro Bowl season before he was lost for the year with a torn ACL.
Gary has worked to rehab his knee, and the expectation is that he will be ready for Week 1, but he could be on a snap count. Even if he’s still ramping up to get back to 100%, the Bears need to keep an eye on Gary when he’s on the field. He could be a problem for Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones, and entering a contract year, he’s going to want to prove his worth every chance he gets.
5. LB Quay Walker
When the Bears run the ball on Sunday, you can expect Packers linebacker Quay Walker to be busy trying to make plays. Walker, the second-year linebacker, is looking to take his game to the next level after a so-so rookie campaign. He filled up the box score most weekends, finishing the season with 121 tackles (five for a loss), 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and seven pass breakups. But Walker struggled in run defense at times and became more known for his outbursts than his playmaking abilities.
Walker was ejected in two separate games for altercations with opposing individuals on the sidelines. His second ejection came against the Detroit Lions in Week 18, the last regular-season game Walker played. Now he returns to action on Sunday, and it remains to be seen if he not only improves as a run defender but also improves his demeanor. If not, Walker might have yet another early exit if things go south.
