Bears HC Ben Johnson makes his stance on Matt LaFleur and the Packers crystal clear after icy post-game handshake
There’s no bad blood. It’s just part of how the game should be.
The rivalry between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers has never been more alive than it was this past week after the Bears eliminated the Packers in the first round of the NFC playoffs.
For years, the Packers have been bullying the Bears and showing no remorse in the process. Former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, rightfully, claimed “I still own you” to Bears fans in attendance at Soldier Field, and it seemed like that ownership would be passed on to quarterback Jordan Love.
That is, until the Bears finally stood up to the bully. With quarterback Caleb Williams, the Bears have won three of the last four games against the Packers, including two of the three games this season under new head coach Ben Johnson.
After Saturday’s thrilling playoff win, Williams made a bold statement: the Bears are here and not going anywhere anytime soon. And since the day the Bears hired Johnson, he hasn’t been afraid to lean into the head-to-head rivalry, either.
Ben Johnson explains the cold shoulder that’s been given to Matt LaFleur
“Certainly, the opponent, in and of itself, means a lot to the city, this organization,” Johnson told reporters on Monday. “That’s something that we certainly play into a little bit as coaches and players. We know how big it is when Chicago plays Green Bay.”
It’s been this way for over 100 years. This is the greatest rivalry in the National Football League, and this kind of competition is supposed to be filled with fire and hate in the hearts of everyone involved. That’s the beautiful nature of sports rivalries.
And yet, the Bears’ head coach got a lot of flak on Saturday after cold-shouldering Packers head coach Matt LaFleur with yet another quick handshake and no words exchanged after the game. It’s nothing personal against LaFleur; it’s just how Johnson feels about this rivalry.
“There’s a rivalry that exists between these two teams,” Johnson added. “Something that I fully recognize and I’m a part of. I don’t like that team.”
The good news: LaFleur feels the exact same way based on his comments from the last time Johnson cold-shouldered him at midfield during the regular season.
“Absolutely not,” LaFleur explained. “It’s Packers-Bears. It’s a great rivalry, and certainly with what was at stake in regards to positioning in the NFC North, that’s the only thing that matters.”
It’s sounding like the rivalry between Johnson and LaFleur will continue
After eliminating the Packers on Sunday, the Bears’ win over the archrival carried some more potential implications in Green Bay. LaFleur has one year remaining on his current contract with the team, and Saturday’s loss was the third one-and-done playoff season under his tenure.
Many wondered what LaFleur’s future would look like going into a pivotal offseason and whether or not the Packers’ new CEO and president, Ed Policy, would cut ties with his current head coach. After meeting with LaFleur on Sunday night, it seems we have an answer.
“Packers now are expected to try to work out a deal in the coming days to keep head coach Matt LaFleur in Green Bay, per sources,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter posted on social media Monday morning.
A lot can still change, and it’s worth noting the word “try” in that post. But it certainly sounds like the Packers are willing to run things back with LaFleur, meaning this rivalry between him and Johnson can continue into 2026 in the NFC North.
Chicago Bears News
Bears HC Ben Johnson fulfills his bold offseason promise against Packers HC Matt LaFleur and it might be his last opportunity to do so
The rivalry between Ben Johnson and Matt LaFleur might be over.
