Packers beat Bears 31-7 as Franklin criticizes Burden

The Green Bay Packers defeated the Chicago Bears 31-7 at Lambeau Field on Sunday, and Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin criticized Bears receiver Luther Burden III after the game over Burden’s pregame remarks about making Green Bay quit. Burden had said the Bears wanted to beat the Packers and make them quit, describing a message he attributed to Chicago coach Ben Johnson. He made the comments after the Bears’ 23-12 win over the New York Jets. The remarks were repeated in Green Bay’s locker room before the teams met. After the Packers’ win, Franklin said Burden had quit during the game and did not want to play anymore. Franklin also questioned Burden’s record in the league. His accusation was a postgame assessment; the available accounts do not independently establish Burden’s intent. Burden caught four passes for 47 yards in the loss, according to multiple reports. He was Chicago’s leading receiver. Franklin’s comments followed a lopsided result in which Green Bay held the Bears to seven points. Chicago’s quarterbacks, Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum, both saw action, while the reports said Caleb Williams was unavailable because of an injury.