Packers Rumors: DL Jonathan Ford gets re-signed to practice squad

The Packers recently released center James Empey to sign defensive lineman Jonathan Ford to the practice squad on Friday.

Ford landing on the practice squad involved some roster gymnastics: the 2022 seventh-rounder first made the 53-man roster, was released in order for the Packers to claim Ben Sims and Zayne Anderson off waivers, and then was re-signed by the Packers after clearing waivers himself.

Ford played 83 snaps this preseason, recording four pressures and one run stop.

The ex-Hurricane was a healthy scratch for Green Bay for all 17 regular season games in his rookie campaign and will add high-upside depth to the D-line unit this year. Despite not having played a season game for the Packers yet, Ford could be elevated to the roster in the event of an injury. He and Chris Slayton are currently the only two defensive linemen on the practice squad waiting for their number to be called.

Packers Rumors: Green Bay owns the Bears and the Beers

Bears. Beers. Battlestar Galactica.

In 2023, the Packers can call themselves the rightful owners of two things: the Chicago Bears franchise (until Justin Fields proves them otherwise), and the title of the drunkest fanbase in America.

A recent study this summer found that Packers fans drink every other team's fans under the table. Based on a survey of 3,000-plus adults, the average Packers fan reportedly consumes 6.3 beers per game.

Honestly, this should come as no surprise whatsoever, given that Wisconsin is the drunkest state in the country. No. 1 in the alcoholic index rankings, No. 1 in the NFC North? We'll see about the second one.

One of the authors of the study said: "True Packers fans still have feelings about (Brett) Favre's exit, Aaron Rodgers' love of meditative retreats, or their team's postseason inconsistencies, making it easy to love a cold beer. Or six."

So... you're saying Rodgers' conspiracy theories and ayahuasca recreational usage drives fans to drink more? Hm, interesting. Jets fans better be ready to shotgun that PBR.

In any case, the owners of Lambeau Field thank Packers fans for their service. With the Packers franchise's future hazier than ever, expect those fans to be ordering beers by the pitcher in 2023.

Packers Rumors: Who needs a Xanax? Jordan Love causes anxiety for Bears fans

Quarterback Justin Fields is the one to watch in the NFC North. Or is it Jordan Love? Bears fans just might be equally anxious about both of them.

Good Morning Football's Kyle Brandt recently went on the Rich Eisen Show and gave his thoughts on the Packers-Bears season opener. According to Brandt, among the Bears fanbase, "there's so much anxiety about Jordan Love being really, really good."

To go from getting owned by Aaron Rodgers to getting owned by Jordan Love? Yeah, that will put the average Bears fan through the ringer.

Is there anything worse for a Bears fan's mental health than seeing Love line up with the offense on the 25-yard line, swiftly drive down the field, and score a touchdown? And then do it again, and again, and again?

The only bigger source of anxiety would be seeing Justin Fields go down due to injury. Chicago boasts a young and talented team that's decades in the making with a potential franchise quarterback front and (under) center. Consider the burden of expectations resting on Fields in his Year 3. Now tack on the pressure of a top-performing rival tearing the Bears' defense apart.

Feel that weight? It's called (football) seasonal depression.

From a Bears fan's point of view, Jordan Love is not allowed to succeed. He can't. It's just not fair.