Davante Adams takes a swipe at the Bears with comments so brutal they’ve got NFL fans talking from Green Bay to Chicago.
I’ve covered the Packers-Bears rivalry since Adams was drafted in 2014, and trust me, this latest chapter adds serious fuel to what was already football’s oldest grudge match.
When a star receiver flat-out refuses to ever consider joining a team? That’s personal. And that’s exactly what happened when Adams appeared on the “Up & Adams” show last December.
What Did Davante Adams Actually Say About the Bears?
The NFL receiver dropped his bombshell during a December 2024 appearance on the “Up & Adams” show with host Kay Adams.
The exchange went viral almost instantly:
When asked if he would ever consider playing for the Chicago Bears, Adams didn’t hesitate:
“No.”
Kay Adams gave him a chance to soften his stance, asking if he would never play for the Bears.
Adams doubled down without blinking: “Never.”
He expanded on his feelings with remarkable candor:
“Look, I’m not playing too much longer as it is, so on my last days in this league, after all I’ve been blessed with, I will not be going to Chicago. I respect everyone I play, but I’m not playing for the Bears. No.”
CBS Sports covered the exchange, noting how unusual it is for a player to so emphatically rule out a specific team.
“Can I Set a Record?”: Inside the Packers’ Mindset Against Chicago
Adams wasn’t finished dropping truth bombs about the Packers-Bears rivalry.
What he revealed next gave fans unprecedented insight into Green Bay’s locker room mentality when facing Chicago during his eight seasons there (2014-2021).
The wide receiver shocked viewers with this admission:
“Back in the day, being a Packer playing the Bears, we didn’t go into that game ever worrying about are we gonna win the game. We were thinking about how crazy we were gonna go in the game.”
Then came the real kicker:
“Like, can I set a record? Can I score twice? It was like that type of feel.”
Realizing the harshness of his words, Adams attempted to soften the blow:
“Not to be disrespectful, it’s just naturally as a Packer, you hate the Bears. And we have respect for every team we play, but you just don’t respect them to the level of, you know, they’re a top-tier team that can compete with us.”
Sports Illustrated described Adams’ comments as a savage shutdown of his former division rival.
Green Bay Dominance: The Numbers Behind Adams’ Bold Claims
You might think Adams is just talking trash, but his Packers career stats against Chicago tell the real story:
- Games Adams played vs Bears: 16
- Packers record in those games: 13-3 (81% win rate)
- Adams’ receptions against Chicago: 81
- Adams’ receiving yards vs Bears: 924
- Touchdowns Adams scored on Chicago: 10
- Games with 100+ receiving yards: 4
- Games with multiple receiving touchdowns: 3
The statistical dominance is undeniable.
When Adams talks about treating Bears games as opportunities for personal records rather than competitive challenges, the numbers back him up completely.
NFL stat tracking site Stathead has the complete breakdown of Adams’ career performances against Chicago.
The Packers’ Tradition of Bears Trash Talk
Adams joins a long line of Green Bay players who’ve publicly dismissed their rivals from Chicago.
Remember October 2021? Aaron Rodgers scrambled for a touchdown at Soldier Field, then turned to Bears fans and shouted those now infamous words: “I still own you!”
This verbal dismantling of Chicago has become almost a rite of passage for Packers stars.
What’s fascinating is how this rivalry mindset sticks with players even after they leave Wisconsin.
Adams now plays for the Jets after a stint with the Raiders, yet his Packers identity still runs deep enough that he feels compelled to continue the Bears bashing tradition.
Reddit threads exploded with fan reactions to Adams’ comments, with one Packers supporter noting how Adams is “still dunking on the Bears even after leaving Green Bay.”
Two Fan Bases, Two Very Different Reactions
NFL social media lit up after Adams’ interview, with reactions falling into predictable camps:
Packers fans loved every second of it. They celebrated Adams for maintaining the Green Bay tradition of Bears disrespect, appreciating his loyalty to the rivalry years after his departure.
Bears fans fired back with their own criticisms. Most questioned why anyone should care about the opinion of a receiver who’s no longer in his prime.
Their strongest counter argument focused on what they view as Adams’ hypocrisy. As one Bears fan on Reddit pointed out: Why is Adams so vehemently against joining Chicago while happily playing for the Raiders and Jets? Both franchises have struggled just as much as the Bears in recent years.
A thread in the Bears subreddit highlighted this contradiction, with fans noting Adams willingly joined teams they described as “a mess” or “struggling franchises” while acting like the Bears were beneath him.
Beyond Trash Talk: What This Teaches Us About NFL Identity
This story goes deeper than just a former Packer taking shots at the Bears.
It reveals something fascinating about how NFL rivalries permanently shape players’ identities.
Adams hasn’t worn a Packers uniform since 2021.
He’s gone through two additional NFL teams (Raiders, Jets) and several seasons away from Green Bay.
Yet the Packers-Bears rivalry has been so deeply ingrained in his professional identity that he would categorically eliminate any possibility of ever joining Chicago.
This speaks volumes about how formative team cultures and rivalries are in the NFL.
For eight years, Adams absorbed the Packers’ organizational attitude toward the Bears. That mentality didn’t leave when he changed jerseys.
Some analysts suggest Adams’ comments reflect broader negative perceptions of the Bears organization within the league.
One report noted that his refusal might signal how players view Chicago as “a place where careers go to die” or as fundamentally “incompetent.”
Whether that’s fair or not, Adams’ comments certainly add to that narrative.
FAQs About Davante Adams and the Bears Rivalry
Why does Davante Adams have such strong feelings against the Bears?
Adams spent his formative NFL years (2014-2021) with the Packers, where the Bears rivalry shapes everything. The team dominated Chicago 13-3 in games Adams played, creating not just confidence but a sense of superiority. The Packers culture teaches players to “hate the Bears” as part of team identity.
Has Adams always performed well against Chicago?
Yes. Over 16 games against Chicago, Adams averaged 5+ catches and nearly 60 yards per game with 10 total touchdowns. His personal success reinforced the mindset he described of using Bears games as opportunities for statistical achievement rather than competitive challenges.
Would any amount of money change Adams’ mind about playing for Chicago?
Adams was unusually definitive with his “Never” response. While most athletes avoid burning bridges with potential employers, Adams seemed comfortable closing that door permanently. Given his current age (32) and career trajectory, his stance appears unlikely to change regardless of financial offers.
What makes the Packers-Bears rivalry different from other NFL rivalries?
This rivalry dates back to 1921, making it the NFL’s oldest and most played matchup (over 200 games). The geographical proximity, divisional importance, and historical significance create a unique intensity that deeply affects players on both sides. For Packers players especially, defining themselves against Chicago becomes part of their professional identity.
Do Adams’ comments reflect how NFL players view the Bears organization?
Some analysts believe Adams’ willingness to publicly dismiss Chicago signals broader negative perceptions about the Bears within league circles. With the team struggling (4-10 record with an eight-game losing streak when Adams made his comments), his remarks may reinforce the narrative of organizational dysfunction.
Davante Adams takes a swipe at the Bears that shows how NFL rivalries permanently shape player identities, transcending uniform changes and lasting long after final whistles.
