In order to be the best, you have to beat the best, right? The Chicago Bears will get another chance to do that in the NFC North now that quarterback Aaron Rodgers is returning to the Green Bay Packers for the 2022 NFL season.

Early reports suggest Rodgers will sign a four-year, $200 million extension to remain in Green Bay, although in typical Rodgers fashion, he disputed the terms of his return on social media. Roughly one hour after news of the blockbuster Russell Wilson trade broke, Rodgers, who craves the spotlight of course, suggested that reports of the lucrative extension aren’t quite accurate. He did, however, confirm he’ll be back in the green and gold in 2022.

Rodgers just being Rodgers, right?

Unfortunately for the Bears, Rodgers being Rodgers means four more years and potentially eight more regular-season games of being owned. Sure, the Bears have had some success in spurts against the reigning back-to-back MVP, but let’s be honest: Rodgers wasn’t wrong when he suggested his name is on Soldier Field’s deed.

Next season was supposed to be the year the Bears finally had a glimmer of hope. Justin Fields, entering his second season and first with a normal non-COVID offseason, was supposed to be the most promising quarterback in the division who could pull a Joe Burrow and lead the Bears on a deep playoff run. Only the ghost of Rodgers would remain at Lambeau Field, not the undead zombie whose invisible championship belt feels like it tightens around Bears fans’ throats with every touchdown pass.

Rodgers was supposed to leave. He was supposed to take Davante Adams with him. He was supposed to end the streak of 30 straight seasons of the Bears defense being forced to defend against a Hall-of-Fame quarterback. Instead, Jordan Love, a quarterback who’s now inching dangerously close to becoming one of the legendary first-round busts, was going to take over and bring Green Bay back to quarterback reality. Three decades of All-Pro performances were in the books, right? It was… time.

Apparently not. Rodgers… is back. And he’s going to haunt the Bears—and the Lions and Vikings—for several more seasons. At least, we think he is. There’s always the chance that he gets offended or feels unappreciated or simply isn’t complimented enough and has a temper tantrum. He could demand a trade at any time; he might have one cleanse too many and decide it’s time to retire.

With Rodgers, anything is possible, including a third MVP in a row and another NFC North championship. A Super Bowl is a strong possibility for the Packers in 2022 as well. Anything, with Rodgers, is achievable.

In a weird way, it feels right that Rodgers is coming back. The NFL is undergoing a massive youth movement at quarterback, and with Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger retiring this offseason, there aren’t many of the old guard remaining. What’s bad for the Bears isn’t necessarily bad for the NFL. The league will benefit with Rodgers hanging around a little longer.

But seriously, does it have to be in Green Bay??