The Green Bay Packers snatched the all-time series lead back in 2017, and seriously, they have not looked back since. They put that ongoing rivalry belt out of reach for what feels like a solid decade, and if you ask me, that’s a tough pill for any true fan to swallow. It’s so wild, it’s forced writers who’ve been covering this thing since 2017 to completely reframe entire eras of the rivalry. We’re talking about going from “Money Mitch and Matt falter” to hoping Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson can finally kickstart some lasting success. Caleb, your table is definitely ready, but man, you’ve got your work cut out for you.
The New Reality: Packers Own the Belt
Look, history is hard to frame when you’re living it. Back in 2017, the author of this very story started fresh with a “Trubisky era” after the Packers took that all-time lead. That quickly morphed into “2017-2020: Money Mitch and Matt falter where others also faltered.” Then, for a minute, there was hope with “2021-present: Justin Fields rides to the rescue (we hope).” Now, in 2026, the only way to make sense of it all is to lump 2017 to 2023 into one big era, all while crossing our fingers that Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson can somehow turn the tide. Because 2017 wasn’t just when Green Bay pulled ahead in the series, it was when they basically locked up the bragging rights for the foreseeable future. So, if you want to understand the monumental task facing Caleb, we’ve gotta rewind way back.
A Legend’s Lesson: How the Bears Flipped the Script in 1933
Get this: the last time the Packers held the all-time series lead before 2017 was all the way back on September 24, 1933. Ninety-three years ago, can you believe it? On that day, the defending champion Chicago Bears were down 7-0 to Green Bay. But then, Bill Hewitt, a future Hall of Famer and absolute Bears legend, pulled off one of the most magnificent sequences to close out a game in franchise history.
First, with about five minutes left on the clock, Hewitt came up huge by blocking a Packers field goal. That kick would have pushed Green Bay’s lead to 10-0 and probably put the game out of reach. But Hewitt said “nope!” Then, back on offense, he took a handoff on an end-around, slowed down like he was setting something up, and heaved a 46-yard touchdown pass to Luke Johnsos. The Bears converted the extra point, and boom, tied game, 7-7.
Green Bay tried to mount a drive but got stuffed three times in a row, forcing them to punt with less than a minute to go. And what do you know, Hewitt struck again! The Chicago Daily Tribune reported it perfectly: Hewitt “flashed in front left end and this time the ball bounced laterally from Bill’s chest. Hewitt followed its bounding course, picked it up in front of a teammate who watched to protect him from any opponent, and finished his sprint behind the goal line.” That’s a blocked punt for a touchdown, folks! The Bears took the lead, 14-7. Green Bay got the ball back with almost no time left, “but their long pass, the final play of the game, was batted down.” Bears win! The Tribune absolutely raved about Hewitt’s majesty and what that win meant for the NFL’s Western.
So, yeah, Caleb Williams has a tough road ahead, trying to claw back that rivalry belt. But if history, specifically that crazy 1933 game, teaches us anything, it’s that one player, one moment, can completely change the vibe of this entire rivalry. The challenge is huge, but the potential for legendary status? That’s what’s on the line.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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