Packers' Peppers: 'John Kuhn cost me my job'

The last time the Green Bay Packers faced off against the Chicago Bears, linebacker Julius Peppers found himself a step away from ending the Packers' season. 

As fate would have it, Packers fullback John Kuhn made a crucial block on Peppers, freeing up Aaron Rodgers to find a wide-open Randall Cobb for a 48-yard touchdown to send the Packers to the playoffs. The Bears' season ended, as did Peppers' time with the organization. 

With a new season underway, Peppers is now wearing green, and hasn't forgotten Kuhn's block on that crucial fourth-and-8 play. 

"He actually cost me my job," Peppers said to Packers.com. 

“If I would have made the play, I probably wouldn’t be here now," Peppers added. "It was one of those things. At the time, it was like the worst thing that could’ve happened, but now, it’s probably the best thing that could’ve happened."

This weekend, the 1-2 Packers return to Soldier Field with Peppers in tow. After four years on the Bears' defensive line, he downplayed the gravity of the return. 

“It’s not really that big of a deal this time. It was more of an emotional experience when I went back to Carolina for the first time,” said Peppers. "This time it’s more business. It’s more of a business trip."

The Packers will need to take care of business to keep pace in the NFC North. The Bears come into Week 4 on the heels of wins against the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers.