The Chicago Bears completed yet another impressive comeback this past weekend against the Green Bay Packers, reversing a 21-3 half-time deficit to win the game 31-27.
Yet, head coach Ben Johnson drew criticism after the game on multiple accounts. Firstly, Johnson gave a very cursory handshake to Packers head coach, Matt LaFleur, after the win.
And afterwards, during the team’s footage from the locker room after the game, Johnson was seen leading chants of “F*** the Packers“.
Instead of apologizing, or claiming that the heat of the moment got to him post-game, Johnson doubled-down on his comments from the weekend on Monday, per ESPN’s Courtney Cronin.
Ben Johnson Refuses To Back Down On Post-Game Words
“Ben Johnson on his ‘F— the Packers’ comment from the postgame locker room: “There’s a rivalry that exists between these two teams.” Cronin reported on Monday. “Something that I fully recognize and am a part of…I don’t like that team. [Chairman] George [McCaskey] and I have talked and we’re on the same page.”
Despite many anticipating backlash, it seems that the Bears’ ownership have no problem with Johnson’s expletives after the team’s first playoff win since 2010.
The Bears have always had more virulence towards the Packers, who have – certainly in recent years – been the far more successful of the two franchises, than the other way round.
And under Ben Johnson, the team has an added fire in their belly – particularly when it comes to games against Green Bay – now knowing that the team can at least compete with anyone in the NFC conference.
Bears Will Look To Bring Fire To Divisional Game
Whilst the team clearly needed little to get motivated to face Green Bay, the Los Angeles Rams will present a different – and in many ways sterner test than the Packers.
The Rams have the man favored to be the 2025 NFL MVP, Matthew Stafford, quarterbacking them, who has been throwing the best receiver in football in Puka Nacua.
LA also have a mean pass rush and defensive front, with numerous players capable of getting to the QB in edge rushers, Byron Young and Jared Verse, alongside interior defensive linemen, Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner.
However, having established themselves as one of the elite fourth-quarter teams in the NFL, it seems like there is no question Chicago will be in with a fighting chance until the very end to get a result at Soldier Field, when the two matchup during Sunday afternoon’s game, in which the Rams are currently 3.5 point favorites.
Ben Johnson Doubles Down On Controversial Locker Room Chant