Apparently some rivalries don’t extend off the field.
The longstanding rivalry between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers took a back seat, at least momentarily, as the current head coaches of both teams, Matt Eberflus and Matt LaFleur, were spotted sitting beside each other at the Marquette-UConn college basketball game on Wednesday night.
With Eberflus holding an 0-4 record against LaFleur, this unexpected camaraderie could hint at a lighthearted “if you can’t beat them, join them” attitude.
As the Bears diligently weigh their options surrounding the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, speculation abounds. They might opt to retain the pick and select Caleb Williams, as widely anticipated. Alternatively, they could explore trading down to a lower pick, potentially retaining current quarterback Justin Fields in the process.
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Meanwhile, LaFleur and the Packers are riding the wave of positive momentum after an impressive 2023 season. Their hard-fought entry into the playoffs culminated in a stunning upset victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round. With Jordan Love firmly establishing himself as a franchise quarterback and a promising young roster, the future looks bright for Green Bay.
Although Eberflus and LaFleur will resume their opposing roles when their teams face off twice again next season, their amiable display on Wednesday demonstrates that, under the right circumstances, Bears and Packers can indeed find common ground. However, this newfound camaraderie is unlikely to extend to the heated environments of Soldier Field or Lambeau Field.
