Justin Jones is America's favorite Chicago Bear

Chicago Bears fans hate the Green Bay Packers. That's stating the obvious. The Bears-Packers rivalry is the oldest in the NFL, and while the Packers have had the upper hand in recent years, the closely contested 100-year series has created deeply rooted disdain for the Green and Gold.

In a perfect world, Chicago Bears players would hate the Packers too. It's understandable why they might not. They're professionals; players like Lucas Patrick and Robert Tonyan used to be Packers. Expecting them to hate some of their former teammates is unreasonable. But that's fandom. Logic and reason need not apply.

But we get it. Bears players respect the history of the rivalry and know how important winning the games against the Packers is every year to the fans (and their standing in the NFC North). But that hatred? It's not there.

Unless you're Justin Jones, who proclaimed his dislike for the Packers in the most honest of ways Tuesday when he met with the media following the Chicago Bears' mandatory minicamp practice.

"Their fans are really sh***y," Jones said. "So, yeah, I wanted to go back up there and play (Aaron Rodgers), and I wanted to beat them, and I wanted him to be there so he could see it.

"They're just freaking obnoxious, just yelling about things that don't even matter. ... Half of them don't even know football. It's so weird to me."

That sound you hear is Bears fans around the country standing and applauding.

Justin Jones is slated to begin the season as the Bears' three-technique defensive tackle. He was fine in that role in 2022, but there was speculation throughout the offseason that Chicago would search for an upgrade.

While the Bears did sign Andrew Billings to strengthen the run defense, a three-tech wasn't added in free agency. Perhaps it's a sign that Chicago believes in Jones, who's entering his second season in coach Matt Eberflus' defense.

But GM Ryan Poles did use two draft picks -- a second and third-rounder -- on defensive tackles. South Carolina's Zacch Pickens, who the Bears selected in the third round, poses the biggest threat to Jones right away. Gervon Dexter Sr., Chicago's second-round choice, will need more time to develop as a reserve.

Even if Jones becomes a rotational player in 2023, you can bet on Chicago Bears fans cheering his name whenever he's on the field. Sacks and tackles for loss are great. But sometimes, a player sharing the same passion as the fans puts him in the best graces. Justin Jones is there.