Green Bay, Wisconsin – January 9, 2026
As the NFC Wild Card Round approaches, tensions between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears remain high following a contentious moment in Week 16. During that overtime contest, Bears defensive end Austin Booker delivered a helmet-to-helmet hit on QB Jordan Love, a play widely regarded as “personal” by Packers fans and players alike. Critics argued that the Packers’ offensive line allowed Booker too much penetration, leaving Love vulnerable.
Zach Tom, Packers’ veteran right tackle, took the opportunity ahead of the rematch to deliver a message to Chicago:
“We’ve seen what they tried last time. That doesn’t happen again. We play hard, and our wall will protect Jordan and shut down any attack. We won’t let anyone cross the line on our field. The next time they come after him, they’ll hit our wall — not him.”
Love himself chimed in, showing leadership and deflecting blame from his teammates:
“That wasn’t on the O-line or Zach or anyone on our team. They did their jobs. That hit wasn’t their fault — they’ve been perfect protecting me all season. We’re focused on moving forward, not looking back.”
The Packers’ offensive line, often criticized for allowing penetration late in Week 16, now looks ready to form an impenetrable front. As Green Bay prepares for the Wild Card showdown at Soldier Field on January 10, the combination of Tom’s resolve and Love’s trust sets the tone: the Bears’ pass rush will face a reinforced, disciplined wall, and any attempt to target the quarterback personally will be met with the full strength of Green Bay’s line.
