Bears’ Ben Johnson pours fuel on rivalry with Packers: ‘I just don’t like that team’
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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson didn’t back down from the storied rivalry with the Green Bay Packers when he faced a question about his explicit comments about the NFC North team.
Johnson dropped multiple F-bombs while celebrating with the Bears following the team’s playoff comeback. On Monday, Johnson defended the comments and said he even spoke to team owner George McCaskey about it.
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Ben Johnson of the Bears during the Detroit Lions game at Soldier Field on January 4, 2026 in Chicago. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
“There’s a rivalry between these two teams,” Johnson said. “Something I fully recognize and am a part of. I just don’t like that team.
“George and I have talked and we are on the same page.”
Chicago won the game, 31-27, after trailing by 18 points in the first half. The Bears’ social media account posted a video of Johnson promoting the team.
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Bears head coach Ben Johnson answers questions during a news conference after the Dallas Cowboys game on Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
He was heard saying, “Fuck the Packers! Screw them! I hate those guys!”
The rivalry between the Bears and Packers has certainly intensified. Johnson added gasoline to the fire when he first joined the Bears. At that time they asked him why he chose Chicago. He said he “kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year.”
The message sparked some frosty handshakes during the season, including one after the playoff game. Chicago went 1-1 against Green Bay in the regular season and beat them when it mattered most.
The first-year head coach praised his players for their brave performance, coming off two losses and heading into halftime trailing 21-3. Johnson said his team was “built to take the pressure.”
The Bears’ Caleb Williams celebrates after their wild card playoff victory against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
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Johnson will lead the Bears to the NFC Divisional Round against the Los Angeles Rams.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor at News Digital.