June football being the desert that it is, save a few scrub brush of things that are interesting in the horizon, I have discovered something that I wasn't looking for. Something that happened to me that I wanted to share. I don't know if I was as surprised as I was relieved to know that this animosity that has been building up has a reason behind it.
I want to gauge where others are at with a statement: I think the Bears have actually surpassed the Packers in the "most annoying fan base" rankings. Before I get to why, I want to start from 3rd place and work my way up.
3rd place: Minnesota Vikings Fans. Ya'll are just pleasant. Like us, no Super Bowls to your name. Sure, you've had 4 appearances since the 70's, but mostly your just happy to be a relevant franchise. If anything, you show more frustration with your front office (and rightfully so) than with actual rivals. Every discourse I've had with a Vikings fan has been one that is rational and cordial. It doesn't hurt that you have one of the best (if not the best) WR in football and a dominate defense. Sure, your not the greatest to play, especially at home, but annoying? Not even close.
2nd Place: Green Bay Packers Fans. I'm not sure if its like a hangover with you all...but I get it. Lombardi had the shots of NFL Championships and Superbowls 1 and 2. Pretty historic. Thats enough to get you drunk. But then you add in the 97' and 2010, I think you've been in a stupor. You should have sobered up in that long stretch but you just kept drinking...in fact, you've been drinking so long that you don't remember what its like to be sober. But, just like every college binge drinking weekend, the hangover is coming. And you know it. Recent events I believe have sobered up alot of Packers fans to realize that the perennial relevant franchise is in a pretty precarious position. JLove might not be the QB everyone thought he was....No WR's....Oline worries and a defense that is....interestingly built. Every once in a while a move happens and you have another drink. Again, I get it. But they are less loud and boisterous as they once were.
1st place and Grand Prize: Chicago Bears. Where to start. See, at least the Packers have history to lean on...they've been a dominate franchise in the past. The '85 Bears were amazing, and yes, you have a Superbowl to your name. But lets not pretend that the 2026 Bears are anywhere close to that. Sure, the Ben Johnson thing is annoying. I loved him in Detroit, but he has not had nearly the success he did as a coordinator. (I know its still young). But the comparing the Bears offense to the Lions because Ben Johnson is there is ludicrous, and unfounded. Accurate Passer? Nope. Caleb Johnson. Stud WR's? Nope....Odunze, maybe and some other guys. Top 3 RB in the NFL? Not the last time I checked.
At best, Bears are a TEMU Lions team...but holy crap. If I have to hear one more time about how the Bears are going to own the North this year I'm going to punch myself in the face until I give myself CTE. Every other franchise took a step back last year and you stayed the same. Congratulations. Your 7 comeback wins is fun, but is it really an indicator of having a quarterback with "ice in his veins"? I don't think so. And also, Caleb Williams as a personality is just kind of annoying. Like, whats his thing? Is it the painted fingernails? Is it his "creativity"? TBH, I think his play style is more fear than "creative". He mostly runs around and looks scared and hopes something happens.
When its all said and done, I believe the Bears go 8-9 this year. They may not be the basement dwellers anymore, but tops of the NFC really belongs to 1 team. Hint: its not the Bears.
Rant over.