What happened: Xavier McKinney stated that every matchup against the Chicago Bears brings new fuel for his unit. The 27-year-old safety credited last year's playoff loss with driving the team's preparation and urgency in the rivalry.

Why it matters: Rivalry motivation matters most when a defender backs up the talk with ball production in high-leverage moments. Carrying postseason urgency into regular-season meetings gives McKinney a mental edge that consistently tilts the field against the Chicago Bears.