Mike McCarthy used to say he had no interest in participating in the "drama" leading up to a game. That's certainly the tone Matt LaFleur is giving off to begin Packers-Bears week.
It only took one press conference for Ben Johnson's comments about beating LaFleur to come up. In January, while addressing reporters for the first time as the Bears' new head coach, Johnson, unprompted, said he "kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year."
On Monday, a reporter asked LaFleur whether he had put any thought into Johnson's comments from earlier this year.
"No, not really," LaFleur said. Straight face. Serious expression. No-nonsense answer.
Matt LaFleur previously said Ben Johnson's comments could 'potentially' fuel Packers
It's the coachspeak answer you'd expect, albeit a little more blunt, and LaFleur was always going to play it down. His focus is on the game, and not on a spat with the rival head coach.
That said, we know he heard it. LaFleur's comments in the summer were a little different.
When speaking as a guest on the Bussin' With the Boys podcast in April, LaFleur provided a more open answer.
"I respect him as a football coach. He did a nice job," LaFleur said. "I thought the press conference was interesting, but I don't have beef with him."
When asked whether the Packers could use Johnson's comments as fuel, LaFleur simply responded, "potentially." That's all he needed to say. In other words, yes. Yes they will.
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Now, that was in a far more informal setting. It was the offseason. Time has passed, and LaFleur is undoubtedly all business and focused on the game plan. His Packers face the No. 1-seed Bears and can't afford a loss if they have any plans of regaining the NFC North title.
But even if LaFleur dismisses the comments publicly, his players will have heard them, too, and it's hard to imagine the Packers not having just a little extra motivation, if they even need it.
It's the biggest Packers-Bears game in over a decade. The stakes are the highest in this contest and the rematch in Week 15 since they played for the NFC North title in a win-or-go-home matchup 12 years ago.
From a neutral perspective, it's cool to see such a historic rivalry take center stage again. Right?
"To be honest with you, I don't really put too much thought into that," said LaFleur. "Yeah, I think it's cool for the fans and, certainly, when you have two good teams, and obviously Chicago is the No. 1 team in the NFC right now. It should be a great game."
LaFleur is only interested in winning. Like McCarthy, he doesn't care for the drama.