Chicago Bears Ben Johnson Adds More Fuel To The Packers Rivalry With Latest Quip
The NFL’s oldest rivalry doesn’t need much help staying intense, but Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson seems determined to pour gasoline on the fire anyway. In a recent interview at the NFL Scouting Combine, Johnson didn’t hold back his feelings about the Green Bay Packers, adding another memorable chapter to the long and storied history between the two franchises.
Johnson’s blunt comments are a clear signal that the temperature of this NFC North feud is only going to rise. For fans of either team, the message is clear: the animosity is real, and it starts at the top.
“Who Likes the Packers?”
While speaking with Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Johnson was asked a simple question: “What’s the deal with the Packers?” His response was just as simple and far more pointed.
“Who likes the Packers?” Johnson said bluntly, before elaborating on his view of the rivalry. “The Bears and the Packers, they should not like each other. I think it’s as simple as that. That’s going to make this rivalry, this game, something that people are going to watch here going forward.”
These remarks are just the latest in a series of shots Johnson has taken at Green Bay since becoming the Bears’ head coach. After a thrilling Wild Card victory over the Packers last season, Johnson went viral for an expletive-laden rant in the locker room expressing his disdain for his team’s rival.
While his combine comments were more measured, the sentiment was the same. He also confirmed that he and Packers head coach Matt LaFleur have no relationship and don’t speak, adding, “I’m good with it.” This public acknowledgment of a frosty relationship between the head coaches only adds to the drama.
Revitalizing a Historic NFL Rivalry
The Bears-Packers rivalry dates back to 1921, but for much of the last decade, it has been a one-sided affair. Before Johnson’s arrival, the Bears had dropped 11 straight games to Green Bay, a painful stretch for a proud Chicago fanbase.
Johnson seems to have taken that history personally. His public dislike for the Packers feels like a strategic move to instill a new mentality in his locker room—one that refuses to be intimidated by the team up north. After splitting the regular-season series last year and then knocking Green Bay out of the playoffs, the Bears have finally started to close the gap.
Johnson’s attitude is a throwback to the old days of the “Black and Blue” division, where genuine dislike between teams was the norm. His comments ensure that every matchup between these two teams will be appointment television, fueled by authentic animosity.
The Future of the Feud
Under Ben Johnson’s leadership, the Bears have established a clear identity. With a rising star at quarterback in Caleb Williams and a head coach who embraces the role of the villain, Chicago is poised to challenge for NFC North supremacy for years to come.
Johnson’s approach is a stark contrast to the often-sanitized, cliché-filled world of NFL coaching. He understands that rivalries are built on passion, and his willingness to be candid about his feelings makes the Bears-Packers games more compelling. He isn’t just coaching a team; he’s embodying the spirit of a rivalry that defines both franchises.
One thing is certain: as long as Ben Johnson is patrolling the sidelines in Chicago, the games against Green Bay will have an extra edge. The handshakes will be brief, the trash talk will be genuine, and the NFL’s oldest rivalry will be as heated as ever.
