George McCaskey Took A Subtle Dig At The Packers During Owners Meeting

One thing people can say about George McCaskey is he's a people person. For all his missteps as Chicago Bears team chairman over the years, he has always treated the fans with patience and respect. He is a genuinely likable guy if not the greatest football mind. He also cares deeply about the franchise. Winning matters to him. The history and prestige of this organization matter to him. The rivalries also matter. So, it was probably an enjoyable time watching the Bears take down the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions over the past few weeks.

However, nothing is better than watching the Green Bay Packers lose. He got to experience such a moment last Monday night when the New York Giants stunned them on primetime TV 24-22. The primary culprit in this disaster was unheralded backup quarterback Tommy DeVito, who threw for 158 yards, ran for 71, and had a touchdown pass. He also made some pivotal throws on the final drive to put New York in field goal range. It was an epic breakdown by the Packers' defense. McCaskey could resist a chance to take a dig at them during league meetings two days later.

It occurred during a discussion about expanding international games from four to eight in 2025.

Every owner voted in favor of the motion—everyone except McCaskey. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports caught wind of his explanation why. It was an all-timer.

McCaskey spoke up in the meeting on this topic. According to sources, he told membership that fans will want to see some of the best quarterbacks come to town, and he wanted to preserve the right to host those games.

"We have generational talents coming in," McCaskey said, according to a source in the room. "Fans want to see Patrick Mahomes coming in. They want to see Josh Allen coming in. They want to see Jalen Hurts coming in. They want to see Tommy DeVito coming in."

The room burst into laughter.

"It was the best line of the entire meeting," one source in the meeting said, adding it was a good-natured and well-received quip.

George McCaskey will take victories however he can get them.

Green Bay looked like a team on track to cruise into the playoffs. Everybody talked about how head coach Matt Lafleur didn't lose in December. His team had won three straight games, including big ones over Detroit and Kansas City. Nobody could stop the Packers. Then they crapped the bed on national TV against a 4-8 team without its starting quarterback. Green Bay is now clinging to the #7 spot in the playoff race, with the Rams, Seahawks, Falcons, and Saints all in dangerously close pursuit. One more loss could torpedo their season.

No doubt George McCaskey hopes that comes from his Bears. The two teams will meet again in the season finale at Lambeau Field. Green Bay crushed Chicago in the first matchup 38-17. No doubt the Bears have had revenge on their mind for months. It would be sweet revenge to get their first win against them since 2018 in what might be a win-and-in situation. That might be asking a lot for this team, but there is no shame in dreaming. Either way, bravo to McCaskey for that shot.