Packers vs. Bears: 5 things to know about Green Bay's Week 5 opponent
· Yahoo Sports
The Green Bay Packers (2-2) will attempt to avenge two disastrous losses to end last season and create the team's biggest win of the 2026 season when the rival Chicago Bears (3-1) come to Lambeau Field for a Week 5 showdown on Sunday. The Bears have won back-to-back games with a backup quarterback under center, and Chicago ranks in the top 10 in both points scored and points allowed through four games.
Here's a closer look at the Bears entering Week 5:
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Last week
The Bears dominated the visiting New York Jets, even if the scoreboard showed nothing more than a 23-12 win. The Bears ran 89 plays for 492 yards while the Jets had only 32 plays for 157 yards. Chicago ended up with more first downs (34) than New York had plays and more first downs via penalty (8) than the Jets had total first downs (7). The Bears made seven trips into the red zone and created 232 rushing yards, including 146 from Kyle Monangai, while holding the Jets to zero conversions on third down (0-for-7). The only things preventing a massive blowout on the scoreboard were two giveaways and a 2-for-7 performance scoring touchdowns in the red zone. Chicago turned the ball over on downs after a 93-yard drive to start the game and then later settled for three field goals of 30 yards or less. The Jets got a late touchdown on a 58-yard touchdown pass from Geno Smith, which accounted for more than a third of the offense's total yards. The Bears held the ball for almost 43 of the game's 60 minutes.
Newcomers
The Bears have two new starters on offense in slot receiver Kalif Raymond (21 catches for 220 yards), the former Lion, and center Garrett Bradbury, the former Viking. The defense has been remade, with veteran Devin Bush at linebacker, first-round pick Dillon Thieneman at safety, fourth-round pick Malik Muhammad in the slot and veterans Kentavius Street and Neville Gallimore and sixth-round pick Jordan van den Berg along the defensive line. Safety Coby Bryant, the team's big free agent signing, suffered an injury during training camp and started the season on injured reserve. With Bryant out, veteran Xavier Woods is the other starter at safety. Scott Daly, who was in Green Bay for a few weeks in September, is back in Chicago as the long snapper.
Quarterback play
Backup Tyson Bagent is expected to start at quarterback while Caleb Williams continues to recover from a hamstring injury suffered in Week 2. In his first start of 2026 last week, Bagent completed 25 of 34 passes for 268 yards and an interception. His average depth of target was 5.8 yards, but Bagent was decisive and accurate, and 14 of his 25 completions created first downs. The 26-year-old hasn't played extensively in the regular season since 2023, but he appears comfortable operating in Ben Johnson's scheme.
Injury situation
For the second straight week, the Packers will face a backup quarterback. Caleb Williams has a hamstring injury and isn't expected to play. Safety Coby Bryant, left tackle Braxton Jones and defensive lineman Shemar Turner are on IR or PUP and won't play, but the Bears did open the practice window of slot cornerback Kyler Gordon, so it's possible he returns this week. With Jones out at left tackle, the Bears have used Theo Benedet as the starter, but Ozzy Trapilo is an option as he works his way back from last year's knee injury.
Players to know
- RB Kyle Monangai: The second-year running back now leads the Bears in rushing yards after last week's 146-yard performance. Veteran D'Andre Swift has lost two fumbles through four games, possibly pushing Monangai into a featured role for the Bears vaunted run game. A punishing runner, Monangai is averaging 5.4 yards per carry in 2026.
- EDGE Dayo Odeyingbo: After missing most of his first season in Chicago due to injury, the former Colt now leads the Bears with 3.0 sacks and 13 pressures through four games. Odeyingbo, Montez Sweat and Austin Booker are Chicago's primary pass rushers.
- RT Darnell Wright: The 2023 first-round pick looks like the game's most dominant right tackle to start 2026. Wright has allowed only four pressures, hasn't committed a penalty and is PFF's highest-rated run blocker.
- WR Luther Burden III: He leads the Bears in targets with 29. Burden lines up wide and in the slot, can create separate in the intermediate areas and is a dangerous player after the catch. In Burden and Kalif Raymond, the Bears have two shifty receivers who are getting the ball underneath coverage and making things happen.
- S Dillon Thieneman: The rookie first-round pick looks the part. Thieneman leads the Bears in tackles with 30, and he's proven to be a capable player defending the run (79.2 run defense grade) and in coverage (one interception, only four receptions allowed).
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers vs. Bears: 5 things to know about Green Bay's Week 5 opponent