The Chicago Bears did the impossible and came back from 21-3 at halftime to defeat the Green Bay Packers 31-27 in what was one of the most improbable playoff wins in NFL history.
After the game, Bears head coach Ben Johnson was seen quickly shaking Packers head coach Matt LaFleur’s hand which garnered major attention as it’s clear Johnson isn’t a fan of LaFleur.
“There was probably a little bit more noise coming out of their building up north to start the week, which we heard loud and clear, players and coaches alike,” Johnson said. “So this one meant something to us.”
When addressing the locker room after the win, Johnson also didn’t hold back on his feelings about Green Bay.
“F*** the Packers! F*** them,” Johnson shouted. “I (expletive) hate those guys!”
Packers players, seeing Johnson’s actions, were not happy…especially safety Xavier McKinney.
Xavier McKinney on Ben Johnson: “He’s a Troll”
GettyXavier McKinney #29 of the Green Bay Packers gets into an altercation with DJ Moore #2 of the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter.
McKinney didn’t mince his words when expressing his thoughts regarding Johnson.
“He’s a troll, so it’s cool. I’m just not a troll. So I don’t know, that’s just him.”
For Packers players like McKinney, it’s an extremely frustrating way to end the season. Losing to a division rival the way it panned out stings, and to see the opposing coach act the way he did after the game only adds to the pain.
But this is how it should be. It’s great for the rivalry, and it’s better than seeing LaFleur and former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus sitting courtside together being all buddy-buddy during a college basketball game.
McKinney did add that Johnson is a “hell of a coach,” and has respect for him in that aspect.
Ben Johnson Doubles Down on Packers Rant
Johnson was asked about his explicit “F the Packers” declaration, and he’s doubling down, saying, “This is a rivalry. And [for] the city of Chicago, Green Bay — it needs to be a rivalry.”
Johnson says even Bears chairman George McCaskey is on the same page, adding, “And yeah, I just, I don’t like that team. So George and I have talked, and we’re on the same page.”
Johnson isn’t backing down for any challenge, and especially not when it comes to facing the Packers. He’s now 2-1 against LaFleur and the Packers (including playoffs), and emphasized during his introductory press conference back in January 2025 that he enjoys beating LaFleur “twice a year.”
The Bears-Packers rivalry has been flipped on its head, especially considering Caleb Williams has more wins against Green Bay (3) than Jay Cutler (2), Mitchell Trubisky (1), and Justin Fields (0) combined.
With the playoff victory over Green Bay, Chicago is set to host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, January 18th (time TBD).
Packers’ Xavier McKinney Calls Bears’ HC Ben Johnson a Troll