Green Bay Packers players pushed back hard at Chicago Bears rookie receiver Luther Burden III after he said before Sunday’s game that his coach wanted the team to make the Packers quit. The comments drew sharp responses from multiple Packers in the aftermath of a 31-7 win at Lambeau Field, with Burden declining to speak to reporters afterward.
Burden had told reporters in the days leading up to the game that coach Ben Johnson’s message to the Bears was clear. “He wants to beat them really bad like everyone else in the room, like every Chicago fan. Beat them real bad, and make them quit,” Burden said, according to ESPN.
What Packers Players Said About Burden
Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin did not hold back when asked about Burden’s remarks after the game. “You got guys that never really made a real play in this league talkin’ bout making somebody quit. That’s weird.
We don’t do that. He quit today, by the way. He ain’t wanna play anymore,” Franklin said, per Bleacher Report.
Packers safety Javon Bullard had already responded to Burden’s comments before kickoff. “We’ll see them boys Sunday. We’re trying to kick their ass. That’s the idea,” Bullard said, according to Sports Illustrated.
Receiver Christian Watson took a more measured tone but still acknowledged the exchange shaped Green Bay’s approach. “I mean, we definitely flipped that on their head. But we’re focused on us, but yeah, we knew what it was going to be, and we did it,” Watson said, per ESPN.
What It Means
Franklin’s jab that Burden “quit today” was a direct reference to the rookie’s own pregame language turned back on him. Burden finished with his stat line disputed between sources: ESPN reported six catches for 47 yards, while Bleacher Report listed four receptions for the same yardage total. Either way, Burden did not speak with reporters after the final whistle, leaving his side of the postgame exchange unanswered.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur had tried to steer his team’s focus inward during the week rather than dwell on what the Bears were saying publicly, according to ESPN. The result suggests that approach held, even as individual players like Franklin and Bullard clearly took note of Burden’s comments and used them as motivation.
Context Behind The Exchange
The Bears entered the rivalry game without starting quarterback Caleb Williams, who was injured, turning instead to Tyson Bagent under center. Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson framed the matchup as more than just another game on the schedule. “Yeah, this game is personal.
I wouldn’t expect them to lay down just because they’re up. And for us, we got to fight back. Just as men, at some point, you’ve just got to play for pride and the name on the front and the back.
We just got to keep fighting,” Johnson said, per ESPN.
That sentiment did not translate to the scoreboard, where Green Bay controlled the game from start to finish in a lopsided result.
What’s Next
Neither Burden nor other Bears players had responded publicly to Franklin’s postgame criticism as of Sunday night. The Packers and Bears will each turn to preparations for their next matchups, with any further comments from Burden or Chicago’s locker room likely to surface as the week progresses.
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