How Ryan Poles Is Solving The Real Reason For Packers' Control Of Rivalry

When thinking about the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers rivalry, most realistic fans will say it hasn't been a rivalry for the past 30 years. Since 1992, the Packers are 48-15 against the Bears. That isn't a rivalry. It's a slaughter. Everybody brings up the same subject when the inevitable question is asked. How is it possible Green Bay has managed to sustain that success over such a long period of time? It's the quarterbacks. Winning becomes far easier when you have two first-ballot Hall of Famers in Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. That is what GM Ryan Poles walked into.

Except there is one problem. The rest of the NFC North hasn't had nearly as much trouble. Green Bay is 38-24-2 against Minnesota and 44-20 against Detroit. Even the Lions are better against them. If it's not solely about having the better quarterback, what else is there to explain Chicago's futility? The answer is simpler than you think. It's always been about the trenches.

Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl linemen drafted since 1992:

• 10 offensive line
• 6 defensive line

Chicago Bears Pro Bowl linemen drafted since 1992:

• 4 offensive line
• 2 defensive line

This isn't even counting free agent additions and trade acquisitions. The discrepancy gets even larger if those are included. Yet the point is already made. Green Bay has owned the rivalry for the past three decades by owning the line of scrimmage.

Ryan Poles recognized the problem immediately.

The Bears have drafted nine offensive and defensive linemen in the past two off-seasons combined. For context, that is the same number Ryan Pace added between 2018 and 2021—a span of four drafts. Even better, only two of those picks were in the first three rounds. Three of Poles' were, including the Bears' 1st rounder this year. Pace never spent any of his 1st round picks on an offensive lineman. It's too early to know how good any of these players will be. Yet the message is clear. Poles is determined to make this team strong in the trenches.

The last time this was the case for Chicago was probably the mid-2000s. It's perhaps not a coincidence they were 7-3 against the Packers from 2004 to 2008. This opening game on Sunday will be telling for the Bears. They feel they've made improvements to their offensive and defensive lines. Green Bay remains strong in both areas. They're always a tough test. If Chicago imposes their will up front, it will be a sign Ryan Poles has them pointed in the right direction.

Elite quarterback play may have put Green Bay on top, but their line play is what kept them there. Now the Bears have to get there.