A simple handshake between Matt LaFleur, Ben Johnson has a bear, Packers fans are buzzing
Despite that Green Bay Packers‘ commanding a 21-3 halftime lead, the The Chicago Bears advanced to the Divisional Round after an incredible comeback in Saturday’s Wild Card match. And after a 31-27 thriller, fans were treated to NFC North beef.
The dark relationship between Ben Johnson and Matt LaFleur appeared on the national stage on Saturday. And the head coaches of the rivals did not disappoint with a particularly icy handshake after the game that bordered on the hostile.
Beef dates from Johnson’s eyebrow-raising introductory press conference when he was hired as the Bears’ coach last January. While referring to NFC North coaches Dan Campbell and Kevin O’Connell with respect, Johnson told reporters he “kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year.”
The Bears’ return prompts an icy handshake after the game
LaFleur was reportedly upset by the remark, but had to wait until December to get his revenge. After the Packers beat the Bears at home in Week 14, LaFleur shook Johnson’s hand very unfriendly.
It’s unclear how the coaches handled the Bears’ Week 16 win over Green Bay. But the latest installment in the LaFleur-Johnson saga came after Saturday’s Wild Card game. And, for the third time in the last four years, Johnson beat LaFleur twice in a season.
LowXpress wrote:
“Some grudges never end…”
Ami added:
“Ben Johnson just put Lafleur in the friend zone”
Bears Up would be a Million commented:
“Exactly what Lafleur did last time. Hope Green Bay fired him and sent the franchise into a 20 year rebuild. Green Bay is bullshit!!!!’
@Domthgreat noticed:
“You can’t fake this kind of animosity”
Geekedouttv wrote:
“That rivalry with them is cinema”
John Mackevich added:
“Ben Johnson is the real deal”
J Jordan noticed:
“I didn’t even look at that man”
2026-01-11 05:58:00
