Ben Johnson, the first-year head coach of the Chicago Bears, surely wanted to make an impact during his introductory press conference after being hired away from the Detroit Lions.
And he most likely knew what he was doing when he mentioned Matt LaFleur, the head coach of the division foe Green Bay Packers, at his first encounter with the Bears’ media.
“To be quite frank with you, I kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year,” Johnson told the audience.
Johnson’s comments certainly had the intended effect of increasing interest in the Bears as a potential NFC North contender.
And, despite the fact that Johnson brought up LaFleur unprompted more than two months ago, most fans may have forgotten what he said, but reporters have not.
So, when LaFleur addressed to the media at the annual NFL owners’ meetings this week, he was asked if he had any thoughts on what his new divisional opponent said about him in January.
“It’s all good,” LaFleur added. “I’m sure he’s playing to the crowd a little bit. It’s what it is. “I’m not going to lose much sleep over that one.” Despite Ben Johnson’s opening press conference accusation of “beating Matt LaFleur twice a year,” LaFleur does not have a long history with Johnson, as he does with other head coaches.
“I’m sure he’s playing to the fans a little bit.” pic.twitter.com/C0vuSb4yih— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) April 1, 2025 Despite Johnson’s words, the Lions have only swept the season series against the Packers twice in the previous six seasons. Johnson was at Detroit, first as an offensive quality control coach and progressing to tight ends coach, passing game coordinator, and finally offensive coordinator. In fact, despite having a 6-6 career record versus the Lions, LaFleur won his first five straight games against their NFC North foes. The same year Johnson began working for the Lions, he became the Packers’ head coach.
Johnson has a lot of work ahead of him in his first season as head coach. The Bears were 5-12 in 2024 and fired both offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and head coach Matt Eberflus in the middle of the season after dismal performances.
The good news is that Johnson, an offensive guru, has one of the league’s best young quarterbacks in Caleb Williams to mold and work with, as well as a revamped offensive line that includes center Drew Dalman and guard Joe Thuney, as well as several talented skill-position players like running back D’Andre Swift, wide receivers D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze, and tight end Cole Kmet.
Leave a Reply