The Packers will be starting Aaron Rodgers at quarterback in their NFC North-deciding game against the Bears on Sunday, ending his long absence from the lineup because of a broken left collarbone.
It isn’t news that has thrown Bears coach Marc Trestman for a loop. Like everyone else in the football world, Trestman was aware that Rodgers would be starting if he got medical clearance and he said Thursday that his team was prepared for things to play out this way.
“It didn’t surprise us,” Trestman said, via the Chicago Tribune. “If he could play, he would, and we prepared for that. That’s no disrespect to the job Matt Flynn has done. They have put over 60 points on the board the last two weeks alone. But if Aaron could play, we expected him to play, and we’re prepared for that. We know that Mike [McCarthy] was going to get his team ready to play, anyway, with whoever was available. He has proven he can do that year in and year out. And with Aaron back, they have a feeling they’ll be at their best, and we’re ready for that. Excited about it.”
Stopping an offense led by Rodgers is certainly a difficult task, but it shouldn’t change things for the Bears all that much. They’ve have had a hard time stopping offenses led by anyone this season and the defense’s ability to put forth a better effort will be essential to Chicago’s chances of extending their season beyond Sunday.