GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Bears’ most disappointing season in recent memory — maybe ever — came to an end Sunday in a most unexpected way. On matriarch Virginia McCaskey’s 102nd birthday, the 5-12 Bears beat the rival Packers at the final gun. Here are three takeaways:
A rare rivalry win
The Bears won at Lambeau Field for the first time since 2015. They hadn’t beaten the Packers at any stadium since December 2018, when the Bears clinched the NFC North. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams now has as many career wins against the Packers as Mitch Trubisky and Justin Fields combined.
Ugly
The Bears finished last in the NFC North for the second time in three years and the sixth time since 2014. They haven’t won a playoff game since 2010 and haven’t reached the playoffs since 2020. The three other NFC North teams are going to the postseason.
Cairo kicks it
Cairo Santos’ game-winning 51-yard field goal as time expired was the eighth kick he’s made from at least 50 yards this season, the most in franchise history. After setting a franchise record with 35 field goals last year, Santos had only 20 this season.
