Ben Johnson didn’t mess around during his intro press conference as the new Chicago Bears head coach. After praising Minnesota’s Kevin O’Connell and Detroit’s Dan Campbell, Johnson couldn’t help himself and took a shot at Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
“I kind of enjoyed beating LaFleur and the Packers twice a year,” Johnson said, referring to his time as the Lions’ offensive coordinator. It was a big statement considering Johnson’s Lions teams went 5-1 against the Packers during his three seasons in Detroit, including season sweeps in 2022 and 2024.
LaFleur’s Response to Johnson’s Comments
When asked about Johnson’s comments at the NFL annual meeting, Matt LaFleur didn’t get ruffled—but he wasn’t happy.
“I’m sure he’s playing to the fans a little bit,” LaFleur told The Athletic. “It is what it is. I’m not going to lose too much sleep over that.”
While LaFleur is downplaying it publicly, you can bet he’s keeping track. These comments will come back to haunt him when the Packers and Bears play each other in 2025 and add to the already spicy rivalry.
Packers vs. Bears: A Lopsided Rivalry
Despite Johnson’s past success against the Packers while with the Lions, his new team—the Bears—hasn’t fared nearly as well. Since LaFleur took over as Green Bay’s head coach in 2019, the Packers have dominated the Bears, posting an impressive 11-1 record.
However, Chicago managed to snap an 11-game losing streak against Green Bay last season with a thrilling 24-22 victory in Week 18. That win gave Bears fans hope that their team might finally be turning the corner—and with Johnson now at the helm, they’re optimistic about flipping the script in 2025.
Can Johnson Revitalize the Bears?
The Bears have been busy this offseason, signaling their intent to compete in the NFC North. They’ve signed six free agents expected to start this season, including three new starters on the offensive line—a unit that struggled mightily in 2024.
With seven picks in this year’s NFL Draft, including the 10th overall selection and two second-round picks, the Bears are poised to add even more talent to their roster. If Johnson can replicate the offensive success he had in Detroit, the Bears could emerge as legitimate contenders in the division.
The NFC North: A Division on the Rise
The NFC North is going to be a tough division this year, thanks to Johnson in Chicago. With O’Connell in Minnesota, Campbell in Detroit, and LaFleur in Green Bay, every game in this division is going to be a fight.
For the Packers, a healthy Jordan Love will be the key to their 2025 success. Love was hurt all of 2024 but showed flashes when he was on the field. If he can stay healthy, the Packers can win the division again, they last won it in 2021.
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