Chicago Bears Coach Ben Johnson Targets Green Bay Packers Ahead of Lambeau Field Meeting
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson brings an unmistakable animosity toward the Green Bay Packers into Sunday’s matchup at Lambeau Field, openly expressing a desire to make the division rival quit.
The rivalry reaches its latest chapter as the Bears travel to Green Bay for a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. The game window was recently shifted from the higher-profile 4:25 p.m. ET slot. Johnson’s unfiltered dislike for the Packers has quickly become a defining characteristic of his tenure in Chicago, mirroring the sentiments of the team’s fan base.
Bears Players Embrace Johnson's Desire to Beat Packers
Bears players have embraced their head coach’s direct approach to the historic NFC North matchup. Receiver Luther Burden III detailed the message Johnson delivered to the team regarding the upcoming contest.
“He wants to beat them really bad like everyone else in the room, like every Chicago fan. Beat them real bad, and make them quit,” Burden said, via Cassie Carlson of Fox32.
Johnson’s anti-Green Bay stance included an explicit exclamation in the locker room following a playoff victory, where he shouted, “Fuck the Packers! Fuck them!” During an appearance on PFT Live during Scouting Combine week, Johnson elaborated on why the animosity benefits the sport.
“The Bears and the Packers, they should not like each other,” Johnson said. “I think it’s as simple as that. And I think that’s gonna make this rivalry, this game, something that people are going to watch here going forward.”
Matt LaFleur Adopts Player-Centric Focus for Green Bay
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has chosen a contrasting public approach when addressing Johnson’s remarks. LaFleur explained his decision to avoid engaging with the verbal jabs during a media session on Monday.
“Because this game is about players and so we’ll keep it about the players,” LaFleur said, via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. “I’m not the one out there they’re playing.”
Despite declining to take the bait, LaFleur acknowledged the deep significance of the matchup and the atmosphere surrounding the two franchises.
“Don’t get me wrong. I love the rivalry. It’s awesome. It’s great. It’s intense. You can feel it on gameday. You can feel it throughout the course of the week and also the significance, I mean, they’re the defending [NFC] North champions. So what a great opportunity, great challenge for us in our home stadium to play against the defending champs,” LaFleur added.
Johnson Bypasses Diplomatic Coachspeak to Resonate with Fans
Johnson understands the dynamics of the rivalry from personal experience, having previously earned his stripes as a rival assistant coach when he and the Detroit Lions spoiled Aaron Rodgers’s final game in Green Bay. Modern NFL coaches frequently move between organizations, typically avoiding personal animosity because a rival franchise could become a future employer.
Johnson’s willingness to bypass traditional diplomatic coachspeak resonates directly with a Chicago fan base that has watched the Packers dominate the division for years. Having already established himself in the NFC North, Johnson has positioned himself to lead the Bears for the foreseeable future, potentially earning the long-term devotion of the city if he delivers victories against their most historic adversary.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Bears-Packers Matchup
What time is Sunday’s game between the Bears and Packers?
The game kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET at Lambeau Field. The contest was moved from its originally scheduled 4:25 p.m. ET television window.
What specific remarks did Ben Johnson make about Green Bay?
Alongside shouting profanities about the Packers in the locker room after a playoff win, Johnson stated on PFT Live that the two teams simply should not like each other, aiming to make the rivalry appointment viewing for fans.
How did Matt LaFleur respond to Ben Johnson’s comments?
Matt LaFleur declined to engage with the remarks, telling reporters on Monday via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic that the game belongs to the players on the field rather than the coaches on the sidelines.