In an unfortunate moment, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love left Week 16’s NFC North showdown at Soldier Field with a concussion after a second-quarter sack by Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker.
The hit was seen by some (mostly those aligned with the Packers) as dirty, but the general consensus is that it was a football play by Booker, with no ill intent involved.
The tape shows Love stepping up as Booker arrives, with the Packers QB’s head dropping late as contact is made. Booker was flagged for roughing the passer, which is understandable, and he’ll likely get fined by the league this week. When Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune asked him about the hit on Love, the Bears’ second-year edge said there was no hostility involved.
“I’m just playing football, making a tackle,” Booker told Biggs. “He ducked his head and football plays happen.”
Bears DE Austin Booker Had More to Say About His Concussion-Inducing Hit on Packers QB Jordan Love
GettyChicago Bears pass rusher Austin Booker said he’s praying for Jordan Love after the Packers QB suffered a concussion Week 16.
Biggs also mentioned the possibility of the NFL fining him for his hit on Love, and Booker noted that’s out of his hands.
“If they want to, they can,” he said, per Biggs. “Shoot, we’re just playing football. Whatever happens, happens. I pray for him but he’s out there on the football field just like everybody else. Injuries happen every day. Football is football.”
Bears head coach Ben Johnson also made it crystal clear he doesn’t think the hit on Love was a cheap shot.
“We talked about — you get in these big games and you can get a little bit emotional because it’s a division rival and you want to make an impact. We don’t want to shy away from that — we want to play aggressive, and we want to be a very physical team,” Johnson said, adding:
“Booker’s [hit] against Jordan Love, that’s one hundred percent a flag where he ends up getting concussed. It’s not what anybody wants. But at the same time, that one is a more difficult one to coach just from a technique perspective. We’re trying to go after the quarterback and it’s a bang, bang, play like that.”
Former Bears center Olin Kreutz said on the 670 The Score’s postgame show that it was a “football play,” and not something worthy of attaching the word “dirty” to. Former Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton also said he didn’t think Booker “did anything wrong” on the hit that ended Love’s night.
Bears Have Another Huge Showdown Looming Week 17
Next up, Booker and the 11-4 Bears face another huge test when they head to Levi’s Stadium Week 17 to take on the San Francisco 49ers (also 11-4).
The 49ers have been excellent on offense this year, and QB Brock Purdy is fresh from a five-TD performance in the Niners’ Week 16 win over the Colts. Caleb Williams and the Bears are still flying high after their win over Green Bay, and they should have opportunities against a 49ers defense that has amassed the fewest sacks in the league (18).
One early storyline to keep an eye on: the status of Niners tight end George Kittle. He exited Monday night’s win over the Colts with an ankle injury and said he’ll take it day by day, with his availability against Chicago in question. If Kittle doesn’t play, it’ll be a huge break for Chicago, as he’s a difference-maker for San Francisco.
Bears DE Austin Booker Breaks Silence on Hit That Ended Jordan Love’s Game