The Green Bay Packers had this game circled on their calendars ever since last January. That was when Ben Johnson was introduced as the new head coach of the Chicago Bears. Johnson spoke glowingly of Dan Campbell and Kevin O'Connell, two NFC North head coaches, but when it came to Matt LaFleur, Johnson couldn't help himself but say that he enjoys beating him twice a year.
It was a completely out-of-left-field moment. LaFleur said on numerous occasions that he was taken aback by Johnson's comments, considering they don't know each other well. Sure, it could be a case of Johnson ingratiating himself into the Bears-Packers rivalry.
On Sunday, the Packers defeated the Bears 28-21 to retake first place in the NFC North. The Packers stopped a late comeback attempt by the Bears, secured by a Keisean Nixon interception off of Caleb Williams.
As is tradition after the game, the head coaches of the two teams meet up on the field, shake hands, and issue some compliments. For LaFleur and Johnson, it was an icy handshake to say the least.
Matt LaFleur wins one-sided war of words with Ben Johnson
The handshake lasted just a second, with maybe less than a handful of words uttered between both head coaches. There was no warm embrace. No hug. Nothing. They quickly moved on.
During his postgame press conference, LaFleur was asked about the handshake with Johnson. LaFleur downplayed how icy the exchange looked.
"It was a quick handshake, and we'll see them again in two weeks," he said, via ESPN's Rob Demovsky. When asked if he took any satisfaction in making Johnson eat his words, LaFleur said, "Absolutely not, it's Packers-Bears."
LaFleur is downplaying the exchange and the comments Johnson made to really get the Bears fanbase to buy in back in January. Plus, these two teams are set to meet again in two weeks in what should be another huge game with massive NFC North implications. This time, it will be in Soldier Field. History is on the Packers' side, as the Bears haven't defeated them at home since 2018.
First up, the Packers will take on the Denver Broncos, who are currently on a 10-game winning streak. As for the Bears, they take on the Cleveland Browns.
Round two is only two weeks away. With a win, the Packers and LaFleur could potentially knock the Bears out of playoff contention.