Green Bay, Wisconsin – 12/08/2025
The Green Bay Packers further solidified their hold on the NFC North lead with a 28-21 victory over the Chicago Bears, but after the game, head coach Matt LaFleur barely mentioned tactics or the offense’s performance. What truly infuriated him was the officiating crew’s handling of the game, especially the repeated situations involving Micah Parsons, who was constantly held and grabbed yet almost never drew a flag.
In the post-game press conference, LaFleur remained composed but firm when addressing the heated argument he had with the officiating crew in the third quarter. He made it clear that it wasn’t about one single play, but a recurring pattern all night long:“I tried to stay calm, but what happened tonight went way beyond the point of staying quiet. Anyone who goes back and watches those plays will understand why I had to speak up. If that’s not holding… then we’re apparently playing a different sport.”
Micah Parsons, the player the Packers defense has placed enormous trust in this season, was literally “taken out” by the Bears. His jersey sleeve was torn, his rushes to the quarterback were stopped by blatant illegal actions, yet most went uncalled. For an all-around talent like Parsons, being neutralized by dirty play without protection only fueled LaFleur’s anger.
Still, Parsons fought to the very end. He finished the game with one tackle and two quarterback hits, numbers that don’t jump off the stat sheet, but his real value was immense as the pressure he generated forced the Bears to constantly adjust their protection schemes. Even without a sack, Parsons’ presence remained the factor that allowed Green Bay to maintain control and dictate tempo in critical moments.
LaFleur stressed that he didn’t want the officials to become the main story, but emphasized that the Packers and Parsons deserve fairer officiating. In a playoff race this tight, every single play can swing a game. Green Bay left Lambeau with the win, but also with a strong warning to the NFL: if the obvious penalties against Parsons continue to be ignored, the Packers will not stop speaking up to protect their defensive star.
